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JACKSONVILLE (AP) — Former Texas Representative Paul Ragsdale, one of the first African Americans elected to the Texas House since Reconstruction, has died. He was 66. Ragsdale was elected first in 1972 and served seven terms representing a Dallas district. Cherokee County Democratic Chairman Ceasar Roy told the Jacksonville Daily Progress Tuesday that Roy, who died Sunday in Tyler, was amiable and jovial but a “no-nonsense legislator.” Services were set for Saturday in Jacksonville.

With seven other lawmakers, he founded the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in 1973. Records show he authored more than 124 House bills and championed Black History Week in Texas. He’s also credited with getting pictures of black citizens who served in the Legislature and Constitutional Convention before 1900 to be on permanent display in the Capitol in Austin.

LONGVIEW — Reel Road will be open to through traffic today between Gilmer Road and Pine Tree Road. The road had been closed to through traffic since July 25, to allow for intersection construction at Knobcrest Drive and Reel Road.

Although the road has reopened to through traffic, construction will continue on the Reel Road Widening project for approximately another month. Drivers are encouraged to observe construction warning signs. The project was approved by voters as part of the Capital Improvements Bond Election in May 2007. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

LONGVIEW — A Longview motorcycle officer was transported an area hospital around 12:45 yesterday afternoon after being struck by a motorist near the intersection of Mobberly Avenue and Cotton Street. Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the officer, Ricky Mitchell, was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center. Brian said she was unsure about the details of the crash or how serious the victim’s injuries were.

SMITH COUNTY — Chapel Hill area residents forced to evacuate because of a large wildfire were allowed back in their homes last night. Officials with the Texas Forest Service report, as of 7:30 this morning, the fire is not quite 100% contained. Authorities will be on scene all day to make sure the high winds don’t increase the intensity of the remaining fire. The Texas Forest Service will have one helicopter out this morning, and hope to have it fully contained by this afternoon.

The evacuation order was issued yesterday afternoon for the area surrounding County Road 235 and County Road 26. Law enforcement started the evacuation process, even blocking off traffic in the area.

Smith County firefighters battled the grass fire that damaged two mobile homes. Several other structures had been threatened in the 18,000 block of County Road 26. There were reportedly 250 acres burned by the blaze that ten fire departments battled. The Texas Forest Service was called in. Plows from Henderson were brought in and choppers were used to drop water on the flames.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters were called to a house fire shortly before noon yesterday in the 400 block of Virginia at Line Street. Officials say the fire started after dry leaves under the vacant house started burning due to the hot temperature. No one was injured. Authorities say firefighters were able to contain the blaze in about 15 minutes.

LUFKIN — Two Xanax pills tucked into her bra in the Angelina County Jail cost a Lufkin woman five years in prison Monday, three months after she was found not guilty on an unrelated murder charge. Kendall Thompson, 20, sobbed as state District Judge Barry Bran sentenced her Monday afternoon. She had pleaded guilty July 13 to possessing a prohibited substance while she was in jail in 2009.

One month after being found not guilty of murder in the drive-by shooting death of Joseph Cooper, 63, in January 2010, Thompson gave birth to a baby girl. When Thompson’s attorney Al Charanza put her on the stand Monday, she explained how the combination of motherhood and having been scared by the criminal process had set her on the straight and narrow.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department responded to the scene of a house fire yesterday morning in the 2900 Block of Letourneau. The structure fire was reported around 9:00 and was extinguished a short time later. The family was at home when the fire started and was able to escape safely. No injuries were reported. Authorities say the blaze started in a front room of the house but the exact cause is still under investigation.

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Texas Forest Service said a 150 acre wild fire in Anderson County has been contained. Fire Officials had been on the scene of the fire on County Road 335 and Highway 19 since Monday evening. Officials believe the fire started when a tree branch fell onto a power line.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for several suspects accused of stealing credit cards and using them around East Texas. Security footage showed two men using the stolen credit cards after a Flint woman reported her purse stolen out of her car, which was parked in her garage Thursday. Authorities say the cards were used several times that day. Police say the majority of recent car burglaries are due to unlocked cars and open garage doors. Officers remind you not to leave any valuables in plain sight.

ALTO — No action was taken on the Alto Police Department status on Monday’s city council meeting, despite the council members going into executive session with the city attorney to discuss the matter. The entire Alto Police Department was shuttered on June 15 due to budget cuts. The plan is to bring back the department in December. The Cherokee County sheriff’s department tries to keep a patrol car in the area at all times.

Fourteen days after the Alto City Council sent its police force on a six-month furlough, the Wall Street Journal got wind of the story and ran an article entitled “The Day the Law Left Town.” The next day, Forbes and the Business Insider caught onto the story. Sheriff Campbell said national coverage has not yet greatly increased the number of crimes committed by outsiders. He said most of the crimes committed in Alto are done by locals.

TYLER — One person has been arrested in connection with a Tyler fire. The Tyler Fire Department responded to the two-alarm fire in the 2800 block of North Whitten Avenue yesterday afternoon. Fire crews reported heavy smoke conditions upon arrival. Five engines and one ladder company, along with a district chief and an investigator were on the scene. No injuries were reported. Taken into custody was John Edward Beck, 49, of Lancaster. He is identified as the ex-boyfriend of the woman who lives in the house.

TYLER – In Tyler federal court, a Panola County woman has woman has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. In an appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love, Penni Sue Mooney, 48, of Carthage, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, on March 21, 2010, Mooney purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Rite-Aid store in Shreveport, Louisiana and attempted to make an additional purchase that same day in the area with intentions of bringing the cold pills to Panola County where they would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Mooney was named in a federal indictment returned by the grand jury on several months ago and charged with drug trafficking violations.

LONGVIEW — Two teens are under arrest for robbery. Joshun Pickens, 17, and Lacorian Dewayne Davis, 19, (pictured) both of Longview, are charged with robbery. Their bond was set at $7,500. Longview Police say they were arrested around 11:45 Sunday morning in the 1500 block of Mobberly Avenue.

SMITH COUNTY — Firefighters were dispatched to the 10,000 block of Littlefield Drive, just south of the UT Health Center off of Hwy 271, for a reported structure fire. According to Smith County Fire Officials, the blaze started around 2:00 and has now been contained. They say a storage unit behind a house was slightly damaged. No injuries were reported.

ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Commissioners Court voted Monday to adopt a plan that would abolish justice of the peace and constable precinct 4. The plan, which will placed on the agenda for formal resolution on Aug. 23, would combine precinct 4, which includes Zavalla, with precinct 3, which includes Huntington. Upon approval of a formal resolution order by the court, the proposed changes would not immediately come into effect, as Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Claude Marshall is in the first year of a four-year term.

LONGVIEW — Former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson is in discussions with supporters about trying to return Northeast Texas to Democratic representation in Congress. It would be a long shot for a Democrat to unseat incumbent Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, in a congressional district that leans heavily Republican.

“Certainly, no decision has been made,” Anderson said of a Democratic run at Gohmert’s congressional seat. “Several individuals have inquired as to whether I would consider seeking the congressional seat now held by him. I have no present plans to make such a race.” He wouldn’t rule it out, either, and the state Democratic Party appears to be holding a place for him.

TYLER – On land off Gentry Parkway, on land with a house donated by the Caldwell Foundation, you find the Tyler Day Nursery. The oldest non-profit day nursery in Texas celebrated its 75th anniversary Sunday afternoon. It was started by the Tyler Council of Church Women with a goal of providing child-care for low-income families. And with today’s economy, the need appears to be even greater. According to Tyler Day Nursery President Mary Meyers, they are currently working on expanding the facility.

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

LINDALE — A new traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and County Road 474 in Lindale is scheduled to be turned on Wednesday morning. The signal is located just north of Centennial Drive in southern Lindale. Leading up to the signal’s activation, TxDOT crews will complete their work to add shoulders and turn lanes at the intersection and a striping crew is scheduled to be at work in and around the intersection on Tuesday.

SEVEN POINTS — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Nixon Construction is scheduled to begin work today to repair a damaged portion of bridge rail on the State Highway 334 causeway bridge, which is nearest to the Seven Points end. Lane closures will be in effect during daytime hours only, and flaggers will work one-lane traffic. Motorists should expect some delays while the work is in progress. The work is expected to last through Friday.

“We’re going to try to make this as painless as possible,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “We were all reminded around this time last year just how important this bridge is to the communities it serves, and we’ve instructed our contractor to act accordingly.” This work is not related to work done on the SH 334 bridge last year to repair a damaged column.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations in various locations on Farm Road 2709, Ranch Road 2970, Ranch Road 2588 and Farm Road 2752. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue street-sweeping operations in the curb-and-gutter sections of U.S. Highway 79 in Henderson. While lane closures are not a part of street-sweeping operations, motorists are encouraged to drive in the inside lanes to avoid having to merge around street-sweeping operations.

Crews are also scheduled to perform shoulder work in various locations on Loop 571 and U.S. Highway 259, and resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 37 between Quitman and Winnsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1990, followed by the same work later in the week on Farm Road 320 between Farm Road 645 and Loop 256. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department deployed all but one of its engines as it tried to stop a fire that destroyed a home and several classic automobiles late Friday in South Longview. A woman who was asleep when the fire broke out in another part of the house was treated for smoke inhalation, Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said Saturday. Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion. No one was hospitalized. The three-bedroom home and six automobiles were a total loss, Zackary said.

As Longview equipment was being used at the fire in the 400 block of Ridgecrest Drive, equipment from fire departments in Gilmer, Elderville and White Oak was moved to Longview in case it was needed elsewhere in the city. Zackary said the fire was reported about 8:40 p.m., and crews were on the scene well past midnight.

EAST TEXAS — Smoke could continue to rise for days or even weeks from a Friday fire in Overton. More than 40 area firefighters, 14 vehicles and a helicopter were used to battle the grass fire near FM 1639, according to Michael Stanley, spokesman for the Kilgore Fire Department, which was in command operations. Stanley said initial estimates of a fire that covered as much as 300 acres were reduced to about 100 acres after talking with firefighters on the scene. “With that large of a geographical area, it’s difficult to say,” he said.

The blaze reportedly started when a hay baler being used by a crew on his land on CR 1115 caught fire. Volunteer fire departments from Overton, Crims Chapel, Sabine and New London also responded to the fire. The Texas Forestry Service brought two plows and a helicopter to assist. Stanley said Kilgore firefighters cleared the scene about 10:30 p.m. Friday, but the Texas Forestry Service was watching hot spots Saturday. The fire is secure, but Stanley said officials will be watching the area an smoke could continue to rise from the area for days or even weeks.

Kilgore firefighters also responded Friday to a grass fire on FM 2276 east of Kilgore. Stanley said Elderville/Lakeport volunteer firefighters and the Texas Forestry Service assisted in battling the blaze the covered about 40 acres. No structures were damaged in either fire.

LONGVIEW — The victim of a hit-and-run driver just over a week ago has died. Charles Edward Leatch, 37, died last Thursday in a local hospital, Longview Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said Friday. Leatch was struck by a passing vehicle while walking in the 200 block of Magnolia Lane before 6:00 Sunday morning, August 7. Later that day, police arrested Jonathan Soto Estrada, 21, (pictured) and charged him with accident involving serious bodily injury or death. Estrada was released from jail Monday on $50,000 bond.

EAST TEXAS — Firefighters across East Texas continued battling several grass fires. Firefighters spent several hours Friday afternoon and evening battling a large grass fire near Overton, another east of Kilgore, and one along Interstate 20 near Hallsville, officials reported.

At the same time, Longview firefighters were battling a blaze that consumed four automobiles and a home on the city’s south side late Friday, even as several grass fires that ravaged hundreds of acres across the area continue to burn. A house at 402 Ridgecrest Drive was fully engulfed shortly before 10 p.m., said Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary. Earlier blazes in the same area burned four cars.

Several fire departments and the Texas Forestry Service were battling a large fire near Rusk County CR 1115 between Texas 31 and 42 near Overton. James Copeland, who lives on CR 1115, said the fire started on his property when fire shot out of a hay baler being used by a baling crew.

Elderville/Lakeport volunteer firefighters and Kilgore Fire Department firefighters were battling a blaze on about five acres on fire near FM 2204 and FM 2276. One constable said 200 to 300 acres had been burned. Officials were still on the scene of both fires late Friday and did not have complete information on the extent of the damage. Officials said the fire had spread deep into the woods and was climbing trees while firefighters were working to protect structures.

In Harrison County along Interstate 20, officials reported another grass fire was being fought late Friday afternoon.

Franklin County Officials are on the scene of a fire burning near Winnsboro and Lake Cypress Springs. Numerous departments and a helicopter are responding.

JACKSONVILLE – One person has been arrested in Jacksonville as officers executed a search warrant at Fred’s Body Shop off Highway 69. Jacksonville Police called in the SWAT team after several tips had been called in and weeks of surveillance. Officers seized a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana and around $10,000 in cash. There were also reports that weapons and four cars were seized. Fredrick Horn was arrested. Investigators say he is one of Jacksonville’s largest drug providers. They report, Horn stashed marijuana and cocaine in a trunk of a car.Officers say Horn was armed, but surrendered peacefully. Investigators say this case is still under review and more arrests are possible.

PLANO – Two people with partial East Texas residency are named as a federal grand jury in Plano returns multiple indictments this week. They’re named as Franciscus Maria Berdina Gerrits, 47, also known as Francisous Gerrits, and Mari E. Hendrina Gerrits, 44 — also known as Maria Gerrits, Maryke “Maria” Arends, and Marijke Arends. The two, who list their homes as Hopkins County, Texas, and the Netherlands, were indicted for violations of fraud against farm credit agencies and conspiracy to commit fraud against farm credit agencies. If convicted, they each face up to 5 years in federal prison.

MARSHALL – A 45-year-old Gladewater man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Friday. Edward Charles Lee pleaded guilty in Marshall to being a felon in possession of a firearm on Aug. 11, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham, IV. According to information presented in court, on Apr. 7, 2011, Lee was found in possession of numerous firearms. Further investigation revealed Lee was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of battery in 1993. As a convicted felon, Lee is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2011, and charged with federal firearms violations. Lee faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) is applauding the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that part of the federal health care plan is unconstitutional. Gohmert released the following statement Friday:

“Today’s ruling is a triumph for the Constitution and a great victory for the American people. Not only is it unconstitutional to force Americans to purchase health care insurance against their will, this bill misrepresents the rule of law in the United States. It not only destroys jobs; but, it robs the taxpayers of 2.6 trillion of their hard-earned money. This is not the first time that a federal court has ruled that the individual mandate in ObamaCare is unconstitutional. I applaud this court decision and look forward to replacing Obamacare with healthcare that does not just bring change but offers hope.”

LONGVIEW — A vehicle fire causes serious problems in Longview. Longview Fire Officials tell KETK the blaze occurred just after 1:30 p.m. Friday on Interstate 20, when an 18-wheeler carrying several cars caught fire. The driver of the truck noticed the fire and managed to pull over near the Estes Parkway exit and detach his cab before the fire spread. There were multiple cars destroyed in the fire, and a small patch of grass was also burned. Explosions were reported by nearby businesses, which officials say may have been caused by the tires and hydraulic lines on the cars. No word on what might have sparked the fire, but officials say there were no injuries involved. Traffic was reduced to one lane as authorities got busy clearing the scene.

LONGVIEW — Danny Lynn Busher accepted a maximum two-year state jail sentence Friday morning for theft. Busher, 58, of Longview, has been arrested and convicted by multiple agencies during the past two decades. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Smith County authorities took him into custody Wednesday on theft charges there. He was later transported to the Gregg County Jail.

Prosecutors said Busher conned at least six Gregg County residents out of more than $23,500 in cash for which he must pay restitution as part of his plea agreement Friday. In exchange, the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office charged him with theft between $1,500 and $20,000 – a state jail felony punishable by up to two years – rather than third-degree felony theft that carries up to 10 years in prison. Still, Assistant District Attorney Stacee Brownlee said Busher tried to negotiate a lesser sentence because of his health issues.

Busher’s plea resolves all of his Gregg County theft cases, though Brownlee said other victims have come forward since media have published Busher’s Tyler arrest. District Judge David Brabham said Busher’s plea does not exonerate him from charges in other counties, including Smith and Upshur.

HUGHES SPRINGS — A Hughes Springs teacher was arrested Friday morning, accused of having an improper relationship with a student. According to KETK, police issued a warrant and arrested Karrie McKinney, 41, after a lengthy investigation. The elementary teacher was allegedly involved with a 16-year old boy who attends Hughes Springs High School. McKinney is charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second degree felony. The teacher was released on a $25,000 bond Friday.

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD board of trustees voted unanimously to move forward with a tax cut for Lindale home and property owners. The tax cut would reduce the Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate from 41.5 cents to 39.5 cents. The I&S rate is used to pay off school construction bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate. The Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate of $1.06 per one hundred dollars of appraised value will remain the same.

In November 2009, the voters of LISD approved at $42 million bond that included the construction of a new junior high school, the addition of classrooms at the high school, a 1,200 seat auditorium and improvements to athletic facilities. “Due to the conservative nature of our spending in the Lindale Independent School District, proper planning and continued student growth, the board of trustees will be able to lower the tax rate,” Superintendent Stan Surratt said. The rate must be advertised locally to LISD voters before it is voted on for approval at a special school board meeting on August 29. The 2011-2012 LISD operating budget will also be considered for adoption at the meeting.

A reduction in the I&S tax rate and no change in the current M&O rate are possible despite a massive budget shortfall in the state of Texas that led to more than $4 billion in cuts to public schools. Lindale ISD’s share of the state cuts is approximately six percent of the district’s operating budget. “We need to cut about $1.5 million out of last year’s budget to balance the budget for this year,” Surratt said. “We had to reduce more because of the added expenses of maintaining our new junior high campus, classroom additions and the auditorium. We were able to make the cuts to the budget without laying off any full-time LISD employees.”

Surratt continued, “Lindale ISD Director of Finance Liz Stewart calculated the expenses related to the new facilities at just over $500,000. “We were very fortunate to recommend a tax cut to the board of trustees despite the reduction in state funds.” Surratt noted that every department and campus was asked to reduce their budgets. Travel and supply budgets in LISD received significant cuts. “We reduced and tightened our belts in every area but hopefully in a way that will have little effect on the instruction to our students,” Surratt said.