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RUSK COUNTY — The grandfather of a 2-year-old boy killed by the family’s pit bull was no-billed by a Rusk County grand jury, district attorney Micheal Jimerson said Tuesday, meaning he won’t face charges in the death. “Unless new evidence comes to light, we won’t be investigating this matter any further or considering any additional charges,” Jimerson said. He said he could not speculate on why the grand jury declined to indict Kelvin Muckleroy because the proceedings are confidential.

Muckleroy’s grandson, Kaden Muckleroy, died Nov. 10 at East Texas Medical Center-Henderson as the result of dog bites from a pit bull attack. Investigators with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office determined the dog that attacked the child belonged to his grandfather, and the older Muckleroy had the dog chained to a tree in the yard of his home, where the attack occurred.

Muckleroy consented to the release of the dog who killed his grandson, as well as about 30 additional kennel-kept dogs, to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The dog that attacked Kaden was euthanized, and several other dogs owned by the older Muckleroy also were euthanized because of their poor medical conditions or because they were too aggressive. However, some of the healthier, friendlier dogs were adopted. After the dogs were seized, Muckleroy demolished the kennels and pens on his property.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University is ranked by http://www.TheBestColleges.org as the number one Online Christian College and University of 2011. The website also ranked LETU 22nd among all secular and private colleges and universities that offer online programs in the nation, such as top-ranked Penn State. The ranking website reviews publicly available data to produce its independent assessment of colleges and universities, basing its rankings on a variety of disciplines for prospective students to use as a guide when choosing a college. LETU’S online degree programs include business, psychology, leadership, education and management.

The ranking criteria include graduation, retention, and acceptance rates; student-teacher ratios, tuition per undergraduate credit hour; and percent of students receiving financial aid. Ranking criteria for the Christian schools included schools which were “explicit about seeking to provide a biblically rooted, Christ-centered online education experience for their students,” according to the website. “We have a very strong online program at LETU, and it’s exciting when that fact is validated by an objective outside agency,” said Carol Green, vice president for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

LUFKIN – An Angelina County man was killed in a morning fire outside Lufkin Tuesday. According to KETK, sheriff’s investigators say the blaze started in a subdivision near Twin Oaks Road just before 7 a.m. Authorities have withheld the man’s name until his family is notified. But investigators tell the Lufkin Daily News his pet was with him at the time of the fire. It was a neighbor who first noticed the blaze. Officials say the man tried to get inside the home, but his jacket caught fire at the front door. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say the mobile home was reduced to a charred shell. Because of the extent of the damage, fire investigators say it will be difficult to figure out what caused it.

TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested several suspects for allegedly stealing copper tubing and scrap metal from local businesses and home owners over the past month. Officers responded to an apartment building at 1806 W. Oakwood around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday on a possible burglary in progress. Officers spotted the suspect, who they say jumped from a second floor window to escape the area. 28-year-old Deketus Lamarlo Goodwyn of Tyler reportedly fought with officers before being arrested. Police say Goodwyn had entered the apartment building with the intent to steal copper tubing from the walls and fixtures. Several cases of copper theft have been reported to police over the past month at this location.

In another investigation, Tyler Radiator, located at 108 S. Palace, has reported up to 100 radiators stolen from their property that were sold as scrap metal. The investigation into the multiple thefts led to the arrest of 60-year-old Billy Charles Andrews at his residence in Tyler Tuesday. Also, 38-year-old Gary Todd Williams was arrested on January 6 for two thefts – one of copper from an air conditioning unit valued at $10,000 from the Salvation Army and another involving theft of copper from an air conditioning unit at Centro Cristiano De Mi Lagros Church at 700 N. Bois D’Arc.

TYLER — Tyler school district leaders are supporting a conference about bullying this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center, 3402 Old Omen Road. On this week’s TISD Update on KTBB, TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid told host Bill Coates the conference is open to all and will focus on how parents and teachers can break the cycle of violence. Noted author and speaker Barbara Coloroso will be the featured guest. The event is presented by Parent Services Center, Inc. Call 903-595-2235 or visit http://Tylerisd.org for more information.

BULLARD — A wastewater treatment plant project is scheduled to begin this summer in Bullard. KETK reports the project would double the current capacity of the plant. It would also help in-flow problems that happen when rainwater and ground water surpass the plant’s capacity. Bullard is seeking bids for a bond to help fund the project, which is estimated at more than $1.2 million.

HALLSVILLE — A Hallsville man is in good condition at Dallas’s Parkland Hospital after helping his family escape from a fire that destroyed their home over the weekend. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that John Ridge, his wife, and their two young daughters woke up to fire in their residence in the Big Oaks Mobile Home Park Saturday. Ridge was injured after he went back inside the burning structure to help his wife and daughter, who were confused in the smoke.

NACOGDOCHES — A Stephen F. Austin State University student told police he was robbed at gunpoint after two men pulled up next to him between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. Monday in the parking lot between Hall 14 and Lumberjack Lodge on the campus. According to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, SFA Police Chief Marc Cossich said the vehicle’s passenger reportedly got out of a gold Toyota Camry, showed a silver semi-automatic handgun, and demanded the student’s wallet and cell phone. Cossich said the student gave the wallet, which included credit cards, and a cell phone to the man, who then reportedly got back in the vehicle and drove off.

The passenger is described as a mid-to-late 20s, dark-complected black man, about 6 feet, 2 inches tall with a slender build, wearing a gray shirt with a white undershirt, a black stocking cap and dark pants. The driver is described as a medium complected black man with short hair, possibly in his early 20s.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man will be released from the hospital this week after shattering both hands in a New Year’s Day fireworks accident in White Oak. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, 19-year-old Jonathan Causey has had three surgeries and lost part of one finger. Causey says people need to pay attention to warnings on fireworks packages.

TYLER — The executive director of the Tyler ISD Foundation is lining up some major speaking engagements. Goddard takes the podium as the first Tylerite selected to speak to the Texas Association of Partners In Education (TAPE). Goddard, who serves on the board of directors for the statewide organization as well as President Elect, will speak on “Secrets of a Successful Education Foundation” at the state conference to be held in Austin January 28th.

In March, Goddard will speak at the National School Foundation Association (NSFA) and in July at the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA. Both are national conferences and highly competitive for speakers. He had cleared the first round to speak at the international Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) with members from all over the world. If selected, he will share the venue with President Bill Clinton and Oscar nominee Queen Latifah.

Goddard has won numerous awards for educational marketing and public relations including last year’s Best News Release, a first for an educational foundation professional, as well as two consecutive Crystal Awards in best campaign and best event in 1,100 school districts in Texas. He was awarded the highest honor in public relations for public education, 2010’s Key Communicator. National awards for public relations as well as international recognition for fundraising for education are part of Goddard’s past 24 months.

Goddard will also speak to the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA), the National School Foundation Association (teaches credential courses), the Association of School Foundations Alliance (ASFA), and the international conference of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Goddard’s topics include what not to do in educational fundraising, how to leverage positive community relations with sophisticated public relations, and best practice communications.

LONGVIEW – A Longview police officer was struck by two vehicles Sunday night. Police say Officer Chris Dotson was on routine patrol at approximately 8:45 p.m. in the area of Pine Tree Road and Silver Falls Road when his patrol unit was struck by another vehicle. According to police, that vehicle was driven by Kilie Roy Levoy, 36, of Longview. While Officer Dotson was being transported to the hospital by ambulance, the ambulance was struck by another vehicle. Authorities say that vehicle was driven by Dusty Wynn Doigg, 20, of White Oak. According to police, Doigg left the scene of the accident but was apprehended a short time later.

After further investigation officers say they determined Levoy was intoxicated. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated 2nd offense and driving while license suspended. Police say Doigg was also determined to be intoxicated, and he was arrested for driving while intoxicated 2nd offense and accident involving damage to vehicle greater than $200. Officer Dotson suffered non-life threatening injuries.

SMITH COUNTY — Arsonists Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister left their mark on ten East Texas churches. Now those congregations are rebuilding. The latest sanctuary to re-open: the new Dover Baptist Church in Smith County. The church now is nearly three times its original size. Pastor A.R. Wynn showed our news partner KETK a pair of pews saved from the destruction of the old church. Wynn says they pay tribute to the past and says the arson didn’t split up the congregation. According to Wynn, “Actually I think it pulled the church closer together, and I’ve heard the people from the other churches talk about how it drew them together. They had to unite to get through this time and certainly this church has done well with that.”

Volunteers came to help with the rebuilding of Dover, and some spent nearly a year doing so. To honor those who helped rebuild and the businesses who made donations, there will be a dedication to them February 6.

CANTON — Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister were handed multiple life sentences in Smith County for their role in a series of East Texas church arsons about a year ago. Now KETK reports there are more charges against the pair, this time in Van Zandt County. 20-year-old Bourque and 22-year-old McAllister were each indicted for arson. Bourque received two indictments, McAllister one. Van Zandt County authorities say the next step is their arraignment. The pair also were recently indicted in Henderson County.

TYLER — The Tyler Ministerial Alliance holds its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Interaith Rally today. This popular program, now in its 25th year, celebrates the legacy of Dr. King. Organizers say his calls for pluralism, racial equality, and social justice still need to be heard and celebrated in our day. This year, the keynote speaker is Texas State Senator Kevin Eltife, sharing his personal thoughts about the progress of race relations in East Texas over the past years.

As always, the program began with a rally on the Downtown Square at 9:30 a.m., followed by a march down Broadway to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — the site of a 10:00 service with prayers for peace, awards, Eltife’s keynote presentation, and musical presentations. Dr. Jerome Milton, who first brought the march to Tyler and has continued to organize it, says he and the ministerial alliance will be stepping down after this year and passing the baton to the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum. Milton says he wants to thank the public for its cooperation, prayers, and motivation over the years.

You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/NewsCategory/mid/865/Default.aspx for the city’s holiday schedule.

TYLER — The Tyler Ministerial Alliance held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Interaith Rally Monday, and outgoing event chairman Dr. Jerome Milton is pleased. Milton says the usual crowd of 800 to 900 turned out in spite of the weather, and he said State Senator Kevin Eltife offered up a “phenomenal” keynote address.

Eltife shared his personal thoughts about the progress of race relations in East Texas over the past years. He pointed out that when he became mayor in 1996, Tyler didn’t officially observe the day — but the city council passed a resolution about six months later making it an official city holiday. Eltife says that’s just one example of efforts around the city. He remarked that every year, race relations have continued to improve in Tyler, and the community just has to keep working on it. Eltife says honoring Dr. King’s legacy “is not a one day a year event” — that people should live out Dr. King’s dream every day.

As always, the program began with a rally on the Downtown Square at 9:30 a.m., followed by a march down Broadway to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — the site of a 10:00 service with prayers for peace, awards, Eltife’s keynote presentation, and musical presentations. Milton first brought the march to Tyler 25 years ago and has continued to chair it. Now he and the ministerial alliance are passing the baton to the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum. That announcement was made during the rally, and Milton says it was well-received.