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GREGG COUNTY — A Gregg County RV park resident died in an early Saturday morning fire at Pine Meadows RV Park. Lori Wright, a neighbor, awoke about 5 a.m. Saturday to let her dog outside. When she opened the door she smelled smoke. Upon further checking outside her own home in the park she saw flames coming from the recreational vehicle.

“I woke up my husband who tried to put it out with a hose and called 911 – but it was so hot he couldn’t get close,” Wright said. “By the time the fire department got it here was so far gone that propane tanks were starting to blow up.” The man was identified as a white male about 60 years old.

Pine Meadows RV Park is located near the intersection of FM 2087 and FM 201 Saturday. When Elderville-Lakeport VFD crews arrived on scene, a small RV was on fire. The fire also spread to another trailer. No one else was hurt in the blaze. Officials said the body of the victim was taken to Tarrant County for an autopsy.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is dead and another person injured after a shooting on Thursday night. Longview police officers found Victor Derone Anthony, 34, when they responded late Thursday night to a call about a shooting in the 800 block of Travis Avenue, off Twelfth Street, officials said Friday. No other victim was found at the scene. Anthony had been shot, according to Kristie Brian, public information officer for the department. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police later located another victim in the shooting at a local hospital. The victim also suffered from an apparent gunshot wound and was listed in stable condition. Brian said the department is not releasing information about the second victim, “as we believe that might hamper our investigation.” “Officers are pursuing the investigation,” Brian said. “We don’t have any suspects at this time.”

Anthony was a 1995 graduate of Longview High School, where he played football, according to district spokesman Adam Holland. Services for Anthony are pending with Craig Funeral Home.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information about this incident to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP or http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com.

LUFKIN – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced that a Florida man has been convicted by a jury in Lufkin for his part in a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. The two-day trial was held in Lufkin before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark in the Eastern District of Texas. Loren Willis, 62, of West Palm Beach, Florida was found guilty by a jury on two charges of conspiracy to transport fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation, and transporting or selling a fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation. Willis was found not guilty of one additional charge of conspiracy to make or submit a false label for a fish that would be transported in interstate commerce.

The Lacey Act provides it is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law whether in interstate or foreign commerce. Violations of the act can result criminal sanctions of $250,000 in fines and/or up to five years imprisonment.

According to information presented in court, in September 2010, Willis and one of his co-defendants traveled from Florida to Texas with the intention to harvest alligator gar from the Trinity River for the purpose of selling the fish in Japan. Willis did not obtain a non-resident Texas fishing license before harvesting the fish. An additional co-defendant has pleaded guilty to charges he altered the documentation submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reflect that the fish were captive bred, rather than harvested in the wild. Captive bred fish are not required to be inspected prior to export. The fish which were harvested from the Trinity River were transported by Willis and his co-defendant to Florida, where they were later exported to Japan. Both of Willis’ co-defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial.

LONGVIEW — A preliminary autopsy report released Friday showed no signs of notable trauma or foul play in the death of a 10-year-old J.L. Everhart student who died over a week ago. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The cause of death and the manner of death remain undetermined, pending histology and toxicology tests, according to the report. Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson has said fourth grader Jamaal Jones’ death appeared to be “accidental.”

Jamaal died Oct. 5 after sustaining injuries in a fall at his grandmother’s house on Harvard Avenue. Neighbor Sula Johnson said children were playing after returning home from a funeral for Jamaal’s cousin. Johnson said she watched the boy slide down a rail on the front porch when she saw him start shaking. Jamaal grabbed several objects, including a barbecue pit, attempting to stop his fall, she added. Provisional pathologic findings in the report showed a history of falls at ground level and identified trauma limited to an abrasion of the left thigh. There was no cranial trauma, according to the preliminary autopsy report.

CHANDLER — Officials say an escaped Henderson County trusty was taken back into custody Friday afternoon. According to KETK, the man is identified as 30-year-old Michael Allgood. Earlier in the afternoon, Allgood was reported to be on the loose in Chandler. Witnesses said dozens of police officers were on the scene during the search. Further details on the incident weren’t immediately available.

HENDERSON (AP) – Authorities say two men have pleaded guilty to a double slaying in which the victims were shot and dumped along a road in East Texas last year. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office on Friday said that 24-year-old Drake Dario Blanton, of Cushing, was sentenced to life in prison for each victim. Twenty-five-year-old Jason Terell Hunt, of Jacksonville, received 35 years in prison for his role in the January 2010 murders. The victims, 29-year-old Rigoberto Tovar Pina and 27-year-old Steve Abran Parra, both of Center, died from gunshot wounds. Blanton and Hunt were arrested five days after the shooting in a vehicle that belonged to Pina. Sgt. Viki Penny says Blanton’s thumbprint on a spent shell case helped state and local authorities quickly solve the case.

TYLER — You have a chance to hear from some U.S. Senate candidates from Texas Saturday. There’s a forum sponsored by the East Texas Constitution Alliance & New Revolution Now, set for 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Magnolia Room at the Ramada Inn, 3310 Troup Highway in Tyler. The event is the last in a series of six forums initiated by New Revolution Now. The Tyler event is being hosted by the East Texas Constitution Alliance, an alliance of over 35 Tea Party and Grassroots groups in North East Texas. All candidates for the U.S. Senate seat for the State of Texas were invited. At press time, confirmed participants were Glenn Addison, Elizabeth Ames Jones, Ted Cruz, Tom Leppert, Lela Pettinger, Andrew Castenuela and Curt Cleaver. They’re vying for the seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival continues in Tyler. Today features the Rose Parade, which organizers term bigger and better than ever. You can also plan to attend the Queen’s Tea, free and open to the public, while you stroll through the widely-renowned Rose Garden and mingle with “Rose Royalty.” All that follows Friday’s two coronations of the Rose Queen along with the Ladies’ and Men’s Luncheons. Jenna Bush Hager keynoted the Ladies’ Luncheon, while Ken Starr spoke at the men’s gathering. An arts and crafts fair and floral shows are also on the docket. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for more information and a schedule of activities.

MARSHALL (AP) – An East Texas educator has been reprimanded for using a permanent marker to color in the shaved lines of a boy’s haircut. The superintendent of the Marshall Independent School District has apologized over the incident involving 12-year-old Sheldon Williams. Bruce Gearing says an assistant principal has been reprimanded. Williams was sent to the principal’s office Monday for allegedly violating a school dress code ban on designs shaved into the hair. The boy’s stepmother has filed a grievance. Philleniea Williams says she was shocked that educators thought the haircut was gang related. She says her stepson is not involved with gangs and now has a new haircut with no shaved lines.

GILMER (AP) – A county judge in East Texas will return to his elected duties after being cleared of an official oppression charge over a protester removed from a meeting. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has lifted the suspension of Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler, allowing him to resume his duties Friday. A visiting judge Wednesday decided prosecutors did not prove their case against Fowler. A charge of abuse of official capacity was dropped. Upshur County commissioners in September 2010 decided to stop hearing public comment. A critic, who wore duct tape over his mouth in protest, was removed from a public meeting last November. A grand jury Dec. 29 indicted Upshur and two other county officials, who still face trial. Commissioners the following day lifted the ban on public comment.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department responded to two separate structure fires early Friday morning. The first incident was reported at 2:00 a.m. in the 2300 block of Pinkerton St. Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire conditions. Two nearby vehicles were also damaged in the fire. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the two-alarm incident.

The fire is under investigation. Initial reports indicate that the fire originated in the living room, near an area where electronic appliances were located. The residents said they were awakened by an activated smoke detector. The American Red Cross was notified and is assisting the four occupants displaced by the fire. No injuries were reported.

The second fire was reported around 6:00 in the 3100 block of Sunnybrook. Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire involvement of the roof. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, also responded to the two-alarm incident. Initial reports indicate that the fire originated in a hall closet, where the home’s central heat and air unit was located. The fire spread into the attic but was later controlled. The Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate.

LONGVIEW – A grand jury in Gregg County has cleared to Kilgore officers in the August 1st shooting death of Jamel Freeman, 19. The officers, Corporal David Tucker and Dee Ann Brown were both injured when they said Freeman attacked them with a knife. Tucker was stabbed in the left shoulder, officer Brown in the neck and back of her head after being thrown to the ground. Police say the knife-wielding Freeman was shot by Tucker as he was stabbing Officer Brown.

Texas Ranger Jason Dudley was called to investigate the Kilgore shooting. After completing the investigation, he turned the information over to Gregg County District Attorney Carl Dorrough. The D.A. told KETK TV, “The grand jury cleared the officers. They heard the testimony of the investigation from the Texas Rangers and the grand jury cleared the officers based on the investigation of the Texas Rangers.”

TYLER – A Tyler jury has found a man guilty of raping a nine year old girl numerous times over an eight month period. The jury deliberated around three hours Thursday before finding DuJuan Bureau, 34, of Tyler, guilty. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month by 7th District Court Judge Kerry Russell. Bureau could get up to life in Prison.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – There’s been a large marijuana haul in Franklin County, about 20 miles northeast of Sulphur Springs. Three men have been arrested. The marijuana farm was found near the Hopkins-Franklin County line near the Sulphur Bluff Community. There were nearly 7,000 plants, some of them were up to 16 feet tall. Authorities say the street value of the drug is between $2 million and $3.5 million. Arrested were Arburto Ibarra Mateo, 44, of Ennis and Jorge Rodriguez, 47, and Jose Barrajas-Saucedo, 25, both of Mexico.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University Associate Professor and Chief Flight Instructor Bruce Chase has been installed as the University Aviation Association president. It occurred last week at the association’s annual conference. This is the premier collegiate aviation association in the world. The UAA plays a pivotal role in the advancement of degree-granting aviation programs that represent all segments of the aviation industry.

Chase has been active in UAA for years, having given many presentations and serving as chair of the Flight Training Committee. He has taught flight at LeTourneau University for 18 years where he serves on the flight curriculum team and serves as the safety manager for LETU’s aviation school. He has given thousands of hours of flight instruction and instrument instruction. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology from LeTourneau University in 1992 and a Master’s of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2005. He holds an FAA Gold Seal MEI, CFI, and CFII as well as Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates. He is currently conducting research on student outcomes using glass panel cockpits versus traditional steam gauges in flight training.

MINEOLA – Authorities believe they have identified the driver of a vehicle that fatally struck a Mineola teen. The pedestrian victim in the hit and run crash that occurred October 4th on U.S. Highway 69 in Wood County is identified as Jacob Mikal Burrell, 15. He was pronounced dead around 10:30 the following morning at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center.

The vehicle that hit the teen, a 2009 White Chevrolet Avalanche, was allegedly driven by Connie Young of Golden, Texas. According to the Department of Public Safety, Young was traveling Northbound on Highway 69 when she drove onto the improved shoulder to allow an approaching vehicle from the rear to pass her. Investigators believe that while driving on the improved shoulder, Young struck the youth. There are no charges at this time, pending the outcome of this ongoing investigation and presentation of the case to a Grand Jury.

EAST TEXAS — Two more East Texas school districts have joined the ranks of those fighting the state for equitable education funding. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. White Oak and New Diana school boards decided this week to join the Equity Center’s lawsuit, which was filed Monday by the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition. The lawsuit claims that the state’s public school finance system doesn’t treat Texas children and schools fairly and equitably. School districts are seeking to change the state’s finance system to make it equitable.

“The leadership of the White Oak Independent School District corporately believes it is time to call for a change in this system,” Superintendent Mike Gilbert said in a news release. “It is not something that can wait until 2017, or longer.” White Oak is pledging $1 per its weighted average daily attendance – about $1,700 – to the cause. New Diana Superintendent Joyce Sloan said her school board is still deciding a dollar amount to contribute to the cause, but has pledged its support. “For a one-time fee of $1,700.00 (one dollar per weighted average daily attendance) this coalition will petition the state to develop a new funding system that fairly compensates all school districts in a way that allows for the provision of a world class education for all students,” Gilbert said.

AUSTIN – Federal disaster assistance has been approved for six more Texas counties, mainly in East Texas, as a result of wildfires that swept through the state beginning Aug. 30. That announcement came Thursday from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The latest amendment to the Sept. 9 major disaster declaration adds Anderson, Henderson, Hill, Marion, Smith and Upshur counties to the list of nine already approved for federal cost-share reimbursements under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. The other counties are Bastrop, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Harrison, Houston, Leon, Rusk and Walker.

The PA program helps reimburse applicants in the designated counties for the cost of removing disaster-related debris from public rights of way, and for measures taken by state and local emergency responders to protect lives and property before, during and after the fires. The program also helps defray the cost of repairing roads, public buildings, utilities, schools and other public infrastructure damaged or destroyed as a result of the wildfires.

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the state or applicant covers the remaining 25 percent. The state then forwards the funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs. Go to
http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm for more information about the PA program.

TYLER — The state of Texas is hosting an Eligibility Workshop for the Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home tonight from 6:00 to 9:00 at UT Health Science Center at Tyler. Exhibitors and their offerings include:

• Veterans Land Board: Veterans home eligibility and admissions process and timeline.
• Texas Veterans Commission: Counselors to assist with disability, pension claims, and aid and attendance payments.
• Touchstone Eldercare Services: Outlining daily care for eligible veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents.
Workshop using local resources for assistance toward admission.

For more information, you can call Jim Bob Mickler at 512-463-5378 or Tito Garcia at 214-450-3092. The vets’ home opens next month.

NACOGDOCHES — Three people were arrested Wednesday night after a deputy responding to a call of suspicious activity went to a home and smelled the “distinct odor of chemicals associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine,” Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss said. According to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, Deputy Ben Curtis then asked for permission to enter the home off CR 784 near Douglass. Curtis was let inside and saw more items that confirmed his suspicion of meth, Kerss said. “He called for backup, we conducted a search, found the meth lab and found a little over a gram of produced product and the three individuals were arrested,” Kerss said.

Stephen Ray Savell, 34, of Nacogdoches, Joseph Todd Wynne, 27, of Douglass and Kristy Michelle Wynne, 31, of Nacogdoches, were all charged with third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance and second-degree felony possession or transport of chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Each remained in the Nacogdoches County Jail at last report, and bond had not been set.

LONGVIEW — A student is hit by a car in a Spring Hill ISD parking lot. According to KETK and a statement Thursday from Superintendent Wes Jones, a male freshman band student was hit by a male junior student driver in the parking lot about 7:25 Thursday morning. He is said to be all right and was talking with his parents before entering the ambulance.

The statement continues, “He has scratches, bruises, and was shaken up, but no broken bones according to the hospital report. The accident is still under investigation, but according to the police officer making the report the band student was rushing over to the JH band hall to get percussion equipment and ran out in front of the vehicle without looking. The student driver wasn’t speeding, but had no time to react. The student driver was visibly stunned and upset from the ordeal.

“We are so thankful that this accident wasn’t any more serious. Please be careful during the morning and afternoon pickup. We have many students in many activities, so drive with caution when driving through our parking lot for the safety of our students. Each campus has plans to make announcements to all students and faculty about pedestrian safety. Our police officer and administrative team have met this (Thursday) morning to review and study additional pedestrian safety for all our campuses.”

TYLER — Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson invites veterans and those who support them to the Nov. 9 dedication of Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler. A ceremony to dedicate what’s termed a one-of-a-kind long-term care facility will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home, 11466 Honor Lane, Tyler. Tours of the home will be available after the dedication ceremony. Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is named after three local heroes — two Medal of Honor recipients and a Tuskegee airman. Family members of Travis Earl Watkins, James Marion Logan and Samuel M. Garrison will be on hand to share stories and display treasured memorabilia, including two Medals of Honor.

Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is built on 20 acres donated by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The donated land is just north of the Health Science Center, along the west side of Highway 155, just south of County Road 334. The home was made possible thanks to a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with the remaining 35 percent paid for by the Texas Veterans Land Board. The new Texas State Veterans Home will join seven others across the state in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, McAllen and Temple. But unlike previous Texas State Veterans Homes, the Smith County home will consist of 10 cottages and one common building. The design approach for each cottage focuses on drawing residents into social connection by mixing the best communal aspects of a home while still maintaining privacy and independence for residents.

Texas State Veterans Homes offer a broad spectrum of health care services, comprehensive rehabilitation programs, special diets, recreational activities, social services, libraries, and certified, secured Alzheimer’s units, each with its own secured outdoor courtyard. For additional information on Texas State Veterans Homes, including eligibility criteria, you can call 1-800-252-VETS (8387). You can also visit the Texas Veterans Land Board website at http://www.texasveterans.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/TXVLB to find information on Facebook.

LONGVIEW — Three people asleep Wednesday night in a Longview home were injured and barely escaped with their lives when a fire erupted in the residence. All three residents of the home in the 1600 block of Timpson were taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment of cuts, burns and smoke inhalation, according to Johnny Zackary, Longview Fire Marshal. A nearly 4-year-old child victim was later air evacuated to Louisiana State Medical Center-Shreveport for injuries sustained in the blaze that completely destroyed the home.

“We were very fortunate they were able to get out alive,” Zackary said. “There was no smoke alarm in the home and normally they would have been overcome with carbon monoxide.”

Instead, a 20-year-old woman and a child, who were sleeping in a front bedroom escaped out a window. In a rear bedroom, a 16-year-old girl was able to escape out a back window, he said. The 16-year-old received cut and burn injuries, he said. Zackary said the fire originated in a dining room of the home, but the cause has not been determined. The 20-year-old mother had been released from Good Shepherd so she could be with her child at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. The Fire Marshal said the 16-year-old’s injuries were significant enough that she probably remained hospitalized Thursday morning at Good Shepherd.

Zackary said if Longview residents cannot afford one, they can go by the city’s central fire station to get one free.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Two men are injured when their car hit a horse in Hopkins County. The wreck occurred just before 1:45 Wednesday morning on Highway 11 near Gafford’s Chapel, which is west of Sulphur Springs. Max Sterling McKinnon, 21, of Sulphur Springs, is in extremely critical condition at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital. The other man, whose name is unavailable, was treated at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital in Sulphur Springs.

TYLER — Douglas Elementary School principal Christy Roach has received the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance Achievers Award in the professional category. This award is presented to a Hispanic professional who has achieved success through determination and hard work.

Roach was commended for her successful community partnership efforts at Douglas Elementary School, as well as the school’s academic achievements. Douglas Elementary works with the Literacy Council of Tyler to provide night classes for community members, and partners with Tyler Junior College at their Family Learning Center. This year, Douglas Elementary School was named a Texas Education Agency Recognized campus.

“Students at Tyler ISD are very fortunate to have positive role models like Ms. Roach as their teachers and principals,” Eleno Licea, Tyler ISD Trustee and Chairman of the Hispanic Business Alliance’s Advisory Committee, said. “It is especially meaningful for our Hispanic students to interact with and learn from local leaders with whom they identify,” he continued.

Roach is a native Tylerite, who grew up just two blocks from Douglas and attended the school as a child. She has served in her current position for five years, and prior to serving as principal, Ms. Roach was a teacher and assistant principal at Douglas.

KILGORE – The new city manager for Kilgore will be coming from Colorado. The city council has hired Scott Sellers, 32, of Montrose, Colorado, where he was the towns acting city manager. Before that he was assistant city manager in Centralia, Illinois. He assumes his new duties on October 31st.

Sellers will be succeeding interim city manager City Manager Tony Williams, who has held that spot since May. Williams took the post after Jeffrey Howell left after citing managerial differences with the council.

COLLEGE STATION (AP) — The Texas Forest Service says more than a third of the nearly 36 million cubic feet of timber killed by wildfires since June in East Texas has been salvaged. It will be used to produce up to $110 million worth of homes, furniture and paper.

CHANDLER — A national movement makes its way into another East Texas city. According to KETK, Chandler officials have approved a motion to add “In God We Trust” to the front of their city council chambers. The city administrator says there’s been no opposition to the move. The “In God We Trust” movement started in California, and about 250 governmental bodies have adopted that phrase.

LONGVIEW — The Humane Society of Northeast Texas has shut it doors as a precaution after an adopted puppy died. Shelter officials say they don’t know the cause of death but they say they wanted to protect the public and other animals at the shelter until further tests come back. Officials say the worst-case scenario would be the dog testing positive for distemper. Christine Kerr, Interim Executive Director for the shelter, tells KETK no animal has been put down at this time. The shelter is waiting for the test results, and Kerr says if the tests are positive for distemper, then each animal will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The Maude Cobb Center has been set up as a temporary shelter for animals coming in until the Humane Society is able to reopen. If you believe your animal is at the shelter, Kerr says you can bring a current shot record and a picture of your animal, and it will be released to you.

QUITMAN — Opening arguments and testimony started Tuesday in the trial of Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler, who is charged with official oppression. Fowler, Sheriff Anthony Betterton and Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree were indicted and charged after resident Jimmy Caughron was removed from a Commissioners court meeting in November. Caughron attended several meetings with duct tape over his mouth to protest that public comment had been removed from meeting agendas.

“Mr. Caughron was at that Commissioners Court meeting doing what any man had a right to do,” prosecuting attorney Rick Hagan said in his opening argument. Hagan is representing the county in the case because District Attorney Billy Byrd recused himself.

Hagan told six jurors and one alternate juror that Caughron sat silently at the commissioners court meetings, “wearing a piece of tape over his mouth.” Hagan noted that Caughron did this three times and was “never told he was violating rules or conduct.” Then on Nov. 30 he was removed from court. Hagan argued that Caughron’s first amendment rights were violated when he was removed.