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TYLER — A new twist in the case of a Smith County 2-year-old who survived after accidentally shooting himself in the head in the family’s bar. Family members tell KETK off-camera that Jaden McLean has been temporarily placed in foster care. There’s a gag order on the case, but sources tell the station that Dustin — Jaden’s father, who had main custody — was seen taking the boy back into the same bar where the shooting happened. The sources say that raised a flag with Child Protective Services. Jaden’s grandfather, Charles McLean, is free on bond after being charged with one count of making a firearm accessible to a child. Authorities say the boy wandered into an office at the bar and found the gun on a desk.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality. The Joint Commission awarded Mother Frances Hospital Disease-Specific Care Certification for cervical and lumbar spine treatment in the Spine Center and for hip and knee replacement in the Joint Replacement Center. To earn these distinctions, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Trinity Mother Frances does the right things and does them well for Spine Center and Joint Replacement Center patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

“We voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” said Chris Glenney, vice president of operations, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. “We are proud to achieve this distinction that offers yet another aspect of differentiation for our Spine and Joint Replacement Centers.” According to press materials, The independent, not-for-profit Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

HENDERSON — A Henderson man found guilty of bomb threats gets ten years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, probated for the full period — plus 180 days in jail as a condition of probation. On Thursday, following thirty minutes of jury deliberation, 20-year-old Lorenzo A. Luna had been convicted on three counts of felony terroristic threats for phoning in the threats to Henderson High School. Authorities say Luna phoned in three bomb threats, on Aug. 27 and 28 and on Sept. 1. Henderson High School was on lockdown and evacuated all three times. No bomb was found. The jury didn’t buy the defense contention that the bomb threats were merely pranks and thus only constituted misdemeanor offenses. Each charge carried a sentence of two to ten years in prison or two to ten years’ probation.

TYLER — Fire has damaged the Hudson Apartments on Shiloh Road. The blaze, with flames and smoke visible for blocks, was reported around 7:30 Wednesday night. At least eight apartments were damaged and around a dozen persons were displaced, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but KETK reports fire officials have determined that the blaze ignited in a sub-floor between the first and second stories, where electrical wiring can be found. Investigators say faulty wiring is a possible cause. Electricians will be called in to inspect the accident this week.

Meanwhile, the Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting at least nine families affected by the fire. Executive Director Tammy Prater says the agency was assisting families most of Wednesday night and have been continuing their case work. “Residential fires are the single most common disaster threat in our area each year,” says Pratter, “and for a family that has lost everything, a home or apartment fire is just as devastating as a major tornado or hurricane. We are providing fire victims with assistance with food, clothing, prescriptions, temporary shelter, and other special needs the families may have.”

Prater continued, “Because of the number of families that are affected by this fire, our funds have been greatly depleted.” Prater said the blaze was expected to deplete at least 20% of the chapter’s entire disaster budget for the year. “Monies to fund this and other disaster operations come solely from local donations and we are asking for the community’s help,” said Prater.

The Smith County Red Cross Chapter responded to more than 146 home fires last year in East Texas, and provided over 480 individuals (almost 50 % were children) with immediate emergency assistance. To find out how you can help or for further information call 903-581-7981. To make a monetary donation, you can visit http://www.smithcounty.redcross.org or send money to to P. O. Box 8588, Tyler, TX 75711.

LONGVIEW — An apartment in a house and a nearby storage building have been destroyed in a Longview fire. The fire, in the 100 block of Sydney Street, was reported around 6:15 Wednesday night. No injuries were reported. Investigators say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears to be suspicious. It appears as if the fire started in the back yard.

KILGORE — Gregg County authorities have arrested a suspect in a weekend shooting. Ricky Lynn Walker, 21, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the early Sunday morning shooting. It happened at Tony’s Wild Thing on Texas 31 west of Kilgore. The wounded man remains hospitalized following emergency surgery.

TYLER – A Rusk County man is among those indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler. Victor Hernandez, Jr., 30, of Henderson, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he could receive a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine not to exceed $4,000,000.00 or both. In addition, he could receive a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

The indictment alleges that from in or about October of last year until the defendant’s arrest on September 22 of thus year, Hernandez knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to possess, with the intent to distribute, and distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

And the grand jury indicted Gabriel Huerta Cruz, 34, of San Luis de la Paz, Guanajato, Mexico was indicted on charges of being an alien found unlawfully present in the United States after previous deportation. If convicted, he could receive a term of imprisonment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to$250,000.00 or both. In addition, the defendant could receive a term of supervised release of not more than three years and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

The indictment alleges that on July 25, Gabriel Huerta-Cruz was arrested by deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department for driving while intoxicated. Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE) was contacted by the state authorities based on Huerta-Cruz’s suspected illegal status in the U.S. On August 20, it was determined that he was illegally in the United States. The investigation also revealed that Huerta-Cruz is a Mexican national and that he was previously deported to Mexico on May 17, 2005 after an aggravated felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — City of Tyler online and phone-based payment was unavailable for public use due to maintenance upgrades over the weekend. It is back up and operational today. Additionally, on Wednesday, October 13, and Thursday, October 14, the Click 2 Gov (online payments) will be inaccessible due to maintenance. The phone system will be available for payments where applicable.

* In lieu of online, Water Department customers may make payments in one of two drop boxes located at 511 W. Locust and in front of Brookshires at Rice Road and Broadway.
* The Municipal Courts will be extending due dates for two days in deference to the maintenance.

* During this maintenance period, water payments can be made in person at the Water Business Office located at 511 W. Locust in addition to the drop boxes listed above, or by calling (903) 531-1230.
* Building Permit Customers may pay in person at 423 W. Ferguson.
* Municipal Court customers may pay in person at 813 N. Broadway; however, not by telephone. Again, all Court due dates will be extended by two days to allow those wishing to use the online system to do so.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber holds its annual meeting Thursday night at Harvey Convention Center. The community’s top citizens will be honored with the T.B. Butler and W.C. Windsor Awards, and other kudos will also be handed out. Along with that, there’ll be a review of the Chamber’s work program for the just-ended fiscal year. There’s a reception at six, with dinner at 7, and you can still get a ticket by calling the Chamber office at (903) 592-1661.

WASHINGTON, D.C — It’s back to the drawing board for the Lake Columbia project. According to KETK, the Environmental Protection Agency has rejected the current plan to build Lake Columbia. They say the statement needs more information on threatened and endangered species. The proposed lake will be a 10,000-acre water supply in the Mud Creek flood plain, spanning toward Cherokee County.

TYLER — The drowning of a young Tyler girl has been ruled accidental and no charges will be filed in the case. On September 20th, on her second birthday, Ava Faith Ayers drowned in a back yard swimming pool at 3721 Arlington. Investigators say a 16 year old was babysitting the two year old and her 3 year old sister. The teen was talking to someone who had stopped by the house when the 2 year old went out the back door and fell into the pool. The youngster was transported to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Tyler Investigators have received the official autopsy results on the youngster. The results indicated that Ayers died as a result of water in her lungs and there were no signs of foul play. The case was reviewed by the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges were warranted. After reviewing the facts of the case, it has been determined the drowning was accidental and no criminal charges will be pursued.

LONGVIEW — The Southeast Texas Forensics Center in Tyler has issued autopsy results in the death of 80-year-old John Morris, ruling his death a homicide. Morris was seriously injured and hospitalized after being assaulted during the robbery of his bait shop in the 400 block of West Pliler Precise Road in Longview on July 31. He died at Good Shepherd Medical Center on September 21. According to police, the homicide investigation is open and ongoing, and detectives are awaiting the analysis of evidence in the case that may lead to a suspect. There have been no arrests at this time.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information about the robbery to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP. A reward of up to $1000 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Police say any information given will remain confidential.

NACOGDOCHES — Police have arrested the second suspect in the stabbing death of 49-year-old Thomas Grimes, according to a press release from the Nacogdoches Police Department. Nathan Welsh, 22, who is charged with murder, was arrested at about 9:30 Wednesday morning on Park Street at Crisp Road, NPD Public Information Officer Greg Sowell said in the release. KETK reports Grimes was found by his neighbor at about 10:50 p.m. Monday, stabbed multiple times in the torso and was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital soon after arriving.

Though the details of that night are still unclear, police are closer to finding answers, Sowell said. “About all we know right now is they all three knew each other and they were all in the apartment together and there was a disturbance that ensued, some sort of disagreement, and this man ended up stabbed,” Sowell said. Police on Tuesday arrested 18-year-old Milton Brown, who turned himself in on a murder warrant, in connection with the stabbing, Sowell said. Both Welsh and Brown are listed as homeless.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of October have increased 10.89 percent as compared to the same period in 2009. City officials say Tyler compares favorably to the statewide average improvement of 6.1 percent. The reported revenue of $2,708,404.47 comprises $1,805,602.98 general sales tax revenue and $902,801.49 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from August 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“October is the first month in the City’s fiscal year, and this is a tremendous way to start it off,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “For the 2010/2011 budget, we projected a two percent increase in sales tax collections; beating that projection right out of the gate positions us well moving forward. However, we will continue to be vigilant and monitor the budget closely before beginning to fill positions that we have held vacant in response to the slower economy.”

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – An administrator at UT Tyler is among four semifinalists for the presidency of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Peter J. Fos is provost and executive vice president at UTT. The UL system says the search committee plans to recommend at least two finalists next Wednesday, after on-campus interviews Monday and Tuesday. Other semifinalists are J. William Berry, professor and executive vice president and provost at the University of Dallas; Nick Bruno, UL System vice president for business and finance; and Thomas F. Moore, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.