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RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County Constable Benjamin Thomas Ferrell charged with federal drug and weapons charges pleaded guilty Tuesday to the weapons count, the spokeswoman for the Eastern District of Texas confirmed Wednesday. According to the Longview News-Journal, drug distribution and drug possession conspiracy charges against Ferrell, 37, of Henderson, were dropped as part of his plea agreement in federal court, spokeswoman Davilyn Walston said. The charges coincided with his failed re-election bid in a spring primary election.

Sentencing has not been scheduled. Ferrell faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person. The guilty plea amounts to a resignation from elected office.

Ferrell and his wife, Amanda Gayle Ferrell, were arrested in March by federal agents working with local investigators. The constable initially faced up to 45 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and the firearm count. Ferrell’s wife was arrested on a state charge of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man is killed Wednesday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross state Highway 94 west on foot. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, James Harvey Knight, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene following the accident that happened around 8:40.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Huntington man is behind bars for allegedly killing another person on Wednesday, according to Angelina County jail records. According to KETK, Rayvon Lee Bizzell, 22, is charged with murder, a first degree felony. Bizzell is accused of shooting 26-year-old Daniel Cano in the back at his home on the 400 block E Lynn Street. Cano was taken to a Lufkin hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities believe the shooting happened involving a dispute over an alleged stolen gun. Bizzell is currently being held in the Angelina County Jail. His bond is set at $200,000.

CHARLOTTE, NC — After two straight weeks, the political conventions are over as the Democrats wraped things up last night in Charlotte. KTBB’s Paul Gleiser has been covering all of it. The event reached its climax Thursday night when President Obama took the stage for his acceptance speech.

Confetti and Bruce Springteen music filled the arena as the Democratic National Convention concluded Thursday with President Barack Obama telling delegates that the journey ahead won’t be easy, but it will lead to a better place.

Follow Gleiser on Twitter @KTBBdecision12 or online at http://www.ktbb.com/decision2012

TYLER — A motion will be heard next Friday to dismiss three criminal charges against former Smith County Constable Dustin Rust. The motion was filed by special prosecutor Lance Larson.

Rust resigned last month after being indicted by a Smith County grand jury on charges of theft and running a security company without a license. When he resigned, he said he had accepted another supervisory law enforcement job, but would not elaborate.

According to the motion, Rust last monthentered into a written agreement that he would resign and repay $7,698 “for the time and cost of vehicles used by deputy constables while on duty with the county and working security.” The motion adds that Rust would report to community supervision for a year and complete conditions of the probation. If the probation was violated, the case would be refiled.

State District Judge Jack Skeen will hear the dismissal motion on September 14.

TYLER — Texas House Speaker Joe Straus was in East Texas Thursday, fielding questions about the state from local business and medical leaders. Strauss had stops in Tyler and Marshall. The people had their concerns, especially in the area of education.

Texas has had to make major cuts to education, but speaker Straus tells KETK that the state faced a $27 billion shortfall, and according to Straus, “We balance our budget in Texas.” But education is still the largest piece of the budget pie, and speaker Straus says it will stay that way.

And at Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, there were questions concerning healthcare in general. Speaker Straus is a state co-chairman for presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign, and he says the country can do something about that, when November comes around.

LUFKIN– Among the latest arrivals at Lufkin’s Ellen Trout Zoo are Five Madagascan Ground Boas. These young snakes are the first of their kind to be born here. These babies, born nearly two feet long, are already capable of eating small rodents. The largest species of snake found on the island of Madagascar, will grow to 8 to 10 feet long as adult. Zoo officials say Madagascan Ground Boas are one of only a few species of Boas found in the Old World

TYLER – The 22nd annual Pantry Raid competition between Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High School students has kicked off. The students at both high schools have a friendly competition to help feed hungry East Texans. The food and funds the students collect will benefit hungry East Texans through the East Texas Food Bank’s partner agencies. The school that collects the most amount of food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school for the year.

“We are extremely excited about pantry raid this year,” said Kendall Bullock, Robert E. Lee Pantry Raid Chair. “We are especially looking forward to helping out our community, and it’s such a great feeling to see such a large amount of people unite and rally for a local cause.”

“We as a student body find it essential in giving back to our community and helping those that are less fortunate. Therefore, we are contributing all of our effort and attention to this particular community service project. Every year, we participate and every year our hearts overflow with joy by the simple fact of knowing that we’re making a difference in our own community,” said CeRon Ford, John Tyler Student Council President. “We look forward to a mouth dropping result. Go Lions!”

Over the last 21 years, the students have collected over 965,000 pounds of food combined. This year, the East Texas Food Bank is expecting the students to break 1 Million pounds of food collected through the event. “The Pantry Raid has grown to become one of our largest food and fund raising drives of the year,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “This event is helping to create a legacy of giving in our young citizens. We are truly grateful to the students for their incredible energy in producing these impressive food and cash contributions over the years towards the fight against hunger in our communities.”

Donations of non-perishable canned food items will be accepted at both high schools through Friday, September 14th. You can also support either school by going to http://www.EastTexasFoodBank.org/PantryRaid to make a financial donation online. The Pantry Raid results will be announced at the Robert E. Lee and John Tyler football game on Friday, September 14th. Also, September is national Hunger Action Month. Go to http://www.EastTexasFoodBank.org to find out other ways you can take action against hunger.

PALESTINE — The Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) is hosting the Small Business Development Forum Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at two locations. With the help of grant money from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and a partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission, organizers say the East Texas region will learn from state and nationally recognized experts how to develop practical plans for their business.

The opening session will be held September 17 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Ben E. Keith Distributors, 2019 W. Oak St. State Senator Robert Nichols and State Representative Byron Cook will give a legislative update and talk about how these changes affect small business. They will also share insights on what they have learned through their time as small business owners. Tickets for this portion of the forum are $20, which includes dinner.

The forum will continue September 18 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, 400 Private Road 6036. Topics to be discussed are ways to find new customers, valuable human resource insight, how to bid on government contracts and who to contact when bidding, developing a roadmap for retail success, and social media resources with a hand-on lab. Tickets for Tuesday’s sessions are $50 and include breakfast, lunch and beverages. Those who wish to register for both the opening session on Monday and the forum on Tuesday will receive both for a total cost of $60.

To register for the Small Business Development Forum or to get more information regarding the event, contact Tara Thompson at the Palestine Economic Development Corporation at [email protected] or 903-729-4100.

LONGVIEW — An 11-member Animal Shelter Task Force put together by Longview Mayor Jay Dean has met for the first time. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the group is tasked with finding a solution to the city’s unwanted animal overpopulation problem. Dean said he and city council members have unsuccessfully wrestled with the issue for three years. The task of finding a solution now rests with veterinarians, animal rights activists, a businessman, a former city councilman and representatives from the Humane Society of Northeast Texas. “The charge is real simple, we want to save the animals,” Dean said.

More unwanted animals, from Longview as well as surrounding communities, are routinely dropped off at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas. Because of overcrowding, each month about 700 of the 1,000 animals abandoned there are euthanized. Dean said he would like to see that trend reversed. He vowed to back away and let the task force determine how to make that happen, but directed the group to make a recommendation in 60 to 90 days.

EAST TEXAS — The Tar Sands Blockade continues to shut down construction sites along the Keystone XL Pipeline route in Texas. The blockade describes itself as a coalition of Texas and Oklahoma landowners using civil disobedience to shut down construction along the route. Group organizer Ron Seifert says they have been chaining themselves to the construction equipment. Seifert says, “It’s a threat to our Constitutional property rights; it’s a threat to our neighbors’ health, safety, and security; and it’s simply untested. We have no idea how tar sands can be safely commuted through a pipeline system.” They shut down construction in Saltillo, Texas, on Wednesday, and they plan to continue, as Seifert put it, “as long as it takes.” Plans call for the pipeline to run through much of East Texas on its way to Gulf-area refineries.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police have reported that nine retailers were cited for selling tobacco to minors. Authorities said , during the month of August, officers conducted tobacco stings to test the compliance of area tobacco retailers in regards to Texas tobacco laws. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. A violation of this statute is a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.00.

The undercover officer/minor teams went to 156 Longview area tobacco retailers during three separate sting operations. Nine of these tobacco retailers sold tobacco products to the undercover minors, with two stores selling to minors twice.
The locations that sold tobacco products to minors include:

Nice Way 800 Pine Tree Rd, Tejas Super Mart 1822 Pine Tree Rd, Brianna’s Stop n Shop (Texaco) 3122 Estes Pkwy (twice), J&B Food Mart 1600 S Green St, Road Runner 1917 Judson Rd, Rudy’s #16 128 W Marshall Ave, Tobacco Junction #22 3541 Gilmer Rd, Food Fast #1073 3357 Gilmer Rd, Kyle’s 1401 Judson Rd. (twice)

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in three county burglaries. Michael Schwankner, 34, of West Tawakoni, is described by authorities as “armed and dangerous.” He’s wanted on a number of felony and parole violation warrants from three counties, unrelated to the three burglaries. Anonymous tips about Schwankner’s whereabouts can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (567-7867).

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s deputies said the daylight house burglaries occurred in the Edgewood and Lake Tawakoni areas, and that Schwankner was identified as a suspect thanks to a security camera at one of the houses. The third burglary was interrupted by an alarm, deputies added. A woman who deputies said was Schwankner’s companion in the burglaries has been arrested.

“Crime Stoppers is eager to help the authorities locate and arrest this suspect,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “Between the warrants out for him and the boldness of these burglaries, we need to get him behind bars so people can rest easier. We’re happy to give a generous reward to the caller who can help authorities locate him.”

TYLER — Trustees at Tyler Junior College have named the architect for the school’s new nursing and health sciences facility. They selected Smith Group JJR Inc. Wednesday to head up the project. The 150,000 square foot facility is scheduled to be built at Fifth Street and Fleishel Avenue. It is targeted to open for the spring 2015 semester. According to school president Dr. Mike Metke, the nursing and health sciences facility “is the largest project ever undertaken at this college. Four months ago, voters in the TJC district approved a $25 million bond program to help fund the facility. The cost of the project is not expected to exceed $50 million.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano is seeking the public’s help in solving a theft case. It occurred at East Texas Mack at 2934 North Highway 31 in Longview. Between noon on September 1st and 8:00am on September 4th, someone cut the fence at the business and removed 56 tires and wheels off seven new Mack trucks. The total loss was in excess of $47,000.00. If you have any information, you are asked to contact Investigator Cecil Shelton at 903-237-2531 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER — There’s a parking problem at UT-Tyler. Students tell KETK they paid more than $45 for a parking permit this year. But some of them say they’re being forced to park off-campus because the campus is about 400 parking places short. UTT President Dr. Rodney Mabry emailed students and KETK about the problem last week. In it, he says an underestimated increase in enrollment helped create the troubles. Mabry also says the university lost quite a number of spaces when the city eliminated some street parking.

Mabry says the university is currently working to fix the problem, but some students say it’s ridiculous. One says he has to get to school 45 minutes early so he won’t be late for class. According to school officials, building 200 more spaces could cost as much as $1 million. Unfortunately, they say, the school is under budget constraints — but they say they have a plan in place.

RUSK — Health officials confirm the West Nile virus has killed one person in Cherokee County. According to KETK and county spokeswoman Rhonda Jones, authorities were notified of the death on Tuesday. A total of four people have contracted the virus in Cherokee County — two with West Nile fever and two with West Nile neuroinvasive disease. The patient who died suffered from the latter. Jones says the victim was “immunocompromised.” The person’s name, age, sex and residence has not been released.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is asking the public to be aware of the “Four D’s:”

Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the only Cherokee County towns to spray for West Nile are Jacksonville and Bullard.

KILGORE — New motions have been filed to test DNA in the infamous “KFC” case. According to KETK, the defendants were convicted on DNA evidence. But both Darnell Hartsfield, 47, and his cousin Romeo Pinkerton, 53, want the DNA retested by an independent source, according to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. The Longview News-Journal reported in 2010 that the Texas Sixth Court of Appeals upheld Hartsfield’s conviction.

A Brazos County jury in October 2008 found Hartsfield guilty of the murders of five people kidnapped from a Kilgore Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1983. Hartsfield appealed the verdict, arguing prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence for a jury to reasonably determine his guilt and that the court allowed inappropriate testimony about other criminal offenses during the trial.

The appellate judges ruled the physical and circumstantial evidence presented in the case were sufficient for a reasonable jury to decide Hartsfield’s guilt. To convict him of capital murder, the judges said prosecutors did not have to prove Hartsfield shot the victims but that he was participating in an aggravated robbery when the murders occurred. The judges also ruled the admission of prior criminal offenses as identifying evidence was valid because the crimes were similar. Prosecutors may introduce similar criminal offenses when the defendant argues another person committed the crime, they said. Hartsfield and Pinkerton are currently serving life prison sentences.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in three county burglaries. Michael Schwankner, 34, of West Tawakoni, is described by authorities as “armed and dangerous.” He’s wanted on a number of felony and parole violation warrants from three counties, unrelated to the three burglaries. Anonymous tips about Schwankner’s whereabouts can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (567-7867).

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s deputies said the daylight house burglaries occurred in the Edgewood and Lake Tawakoni areas, and that Schwankner was identified as a suspect thanks to a security camera at one of the houses. The third burglary was interrupted by an alarm, deputies added. A woman who deputies said was Schwankner’s companion in the burglaries has been arrested.

“Crime Stoppers is eager to help the authorities locate and arrest this suspect,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “Between the warrants out for him and the boldness of these burglaries, we need to get him behind bars so people can rest easier. We’re happy to give a generous reward to the caller who can help authorities locate him.”

TYLER — Tyler police release their report on the most recent multi-agency No-Refusal DWI campaign, August 31st through September 3rd. Total DWI arrests for the No-Refusal initiative for all agencies were 19. DPS had 11 DWI arrests and issued one citation for DUI-Minor. Tyler PD had 7 DWI arrests, and Lindale PD had one. Total number of search warrants for blood was at least 4; Tyler PD obtained 4 such warrants, but DPS no longer tracks this figure.

TYLER — A Tyler man has pled guilty in federal court to bank fraud. Timothy Calvin Olk, 65, entered his guilty plea yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Olk faces up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors said from October 8, 2011 to November 8, 2011, Olk convinced others to give him their IRA funds which he would invest with his company’s account with Austin Bank, giving them a higher return on their investments. On two separate occasions, Olk deposited checks in the amount of $122,435.32 into his account. However, Olk used some of the money to pay his own personal expenses, including $105,000 to a creditor.

CHAPEL HILL — The body of a man missing on a Smith County Lake has been recovered. Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger identified him as Justin Thore, 29. Game Warden Quint Balkcom said his body was recovered from Pleasure Acres Lake yesterday morning around 9:25 off County Road 291.

According to KETK, a search turned into a recovery effort after Thore was reported missing yesterday evening. Officials said the 29-year-old man went fishing around 12:00, according to his roommates. His boat was found anchored in the middle of the lake, but he was nowhere to be found. His family reported him missing at around 7:30. Divers from the ALERT Academy were on location along with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

CHARLOTTE, NC — In 2008, the Democratic National Convention reached its climax with Barack Obama giving his acceptance speech before a crowd estimated at 84,000 at what was then known as Invesco Field at Mile High and is now known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Regardless of the naming rights deal du jour, it’s the stadium where the NFL Denver Broncos play football. Every seat was filled and the air fairly crackled with excitement.

The intention was to repeat that event at Bank of America Stadium here in Charlotte. However, the decision was made to scrap the outdoor venue and conclude the convention here in Time Warner Cable Arena in which activities for Tuesday and Wednesday night were held. According to some published reports, the concern was that the stadium will have thousands of empty seats, which would constitute a potentially devastating visual for the Obama campaign.

This is not the official reason, of course. Officials say the decision to move the finale of the Democratic National Convention back to the Time Warner Cable Arena is because of concern for the weather. It has rained pretty much every afternoon and evening since the weekend here in Charlotte and all of the weather websites put the chance of rain and/or thunderstorms in today’s forecast. But convention organizers had been saying that the stadium event would go on rain or shine.

Follow Gleiser on Twitter @KTBBDecision12 and online at http://www.ktbb.com/decision2012

HUNTSVILLE (AP/STAFF) — With four months still remaining, 2012 already has become the deadliest year in more than a decade in Texas prisons. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has reported 10 homicides this year, up from only three in 2011. There were five in 2010 and just one in 2009, according to agency figures.

“It’s definitely jumped out at us,” Bruce Toney, the agency’s inspector general, said of the increase. “It definitely has not been an average year.” The homicides don’t appear to be connected and have been scattered throughout the 111-prison system. The reason for the surge, the highest number in 15 years, is uncertain, Toney said.

In the most recent slaying, Elasko Thomas, an East Texas man sentenced two years ago to life in prison for kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, was killed August 7 at the Robertson Unit northeast of Abilene. Cellmate Michael Deloach is accused of killing him during an altercation. Deloach was convicted kidnapping and sexual assault by a Smith County jury in January of last year. It was his third trip to state prison.

TYLER — A 32-year-old Tyler man will face up to 40 years in prison for drug trafficking charges. Sipriano Relles pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to information presented in court, on February 20, Relles was found in possession of approximately 66.9 grams of actual meth, which he intended to deliver in and around the East Texas area. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on April 11, charging Relles with federal violations. A sentencing date has not been set.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is in the Gregg County Jail after leading authorities on a chase that got up to 145 miles an hour. Arrested was Chris Warford, 41. A state trooper first tried to stop Warford when he clocked him at 135 miles an hour on his motorcycle on State highway 31. After the brief chase, Warford finaly stopped and gave up. Besides numerous traffic violations, along with no insurance and an expired license, Warford is also facing a charge of evading arrest.

TYLER — The vice president for administration and government relations at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Howard Patterson, will participate in a national leadershipdevelopment program. Patterson is one of 20 senior-level administrators in higher education nationwide selected by the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Academic LeadershipInstitute to participate in a yearlong Executive Leadership Academy. Individuals chosen for the program are experienced vice presidents or cabinet officers in higher education who aspire to gain a more in-depth understanding of the administration of higher education institutions at independent colleges or universities. The academy’s purpose is to help prepare CAOs to serve as effective college leaders and presidents.

“Dr. Patterson is a model candidate for this leadership program. He has had a very impactful career at UT Tyler, having been involved in nearly every aspect of campus administration,” said UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry. “Dr. Patterson and the university will benefit from his participation in the Executive Leadership Academy.”

As a participant, Patterson will attend two seminars and ongoing webinars, participate in a mentoring program, develop experiential learning projects focused on specific areas of higher education administration responsibility and complete a series of readings and case studies.

EAST TEXAS — A big difference this year when it comes to grass fires and wildfires. Last year at this time, East Texas was knee-deep in fires, with thousands of acres ablaze. In one fire in Gladewater, a mother and her baby were killed, at least 15 buildings were lost, and about 50 people were forced to evacuate their homes. According to KETK, Tuesday also marked the first anniversary of the Bear Creek Fire. More than 40,000 acres burned, making it one of the largest wildfires in Texas history.

EAST TEXAS — Texas places 11 cities in the nation’s top 50 for economic and job growth, including a couple of East Texas towns. KETK reports Longview ranked 22nd, Tyler 40th among Area Development magazine’s leading locations for development. The report looked at 365 metro areas across the U.S. East Texas Council of Governments Executive Director David Cleveland credits area leaders who pay attention to the needs of business. Cleveland says when that happens, businesses want to come here, and those already here want to continue to grow.

JACKSONVILLE — A two vehicle accident in Cherokee County has left one person dead and one injured. The accident occurred around 8:30 yesterday morning on Highway 204 just outside of Jacksonville. Dead at the scene was Wayne Clinton Davis, 27, of Flint. His car was hit by a pickup driven by Tyler Glenn Sherwood, 24, of Jacksonville.

According to State Trooper Chaney Wade, Sherwood’s pickup was northbound when it swerved into the southbound lane of traffic. It collided head on with Davis’ car. Sherwood was taken to East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville, where he is listed in stable condition.