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TYLER – An assistant professor of electrical engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Hector A. Ochoa, has received the “Best Faculty Paper Award” at the 2012 American Society of Engineering Education Gulf South West Annual Conference. The award recognizes outstanding professional development in “Bridging Theory and Practice in Engineering and Technology Education” for his work with linear circuits instruction. In the peer-reviewed paper, “An Online Course in Linear Circuits Analysis for Electrical Engineers,” Ochoa discusses his development and implementation of an online course in linear circuit analysis. The course was launched at UT Tyler last summer.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is warning customers about a scam that targets water utility customers. It has already impacted some Longview residents. As part of the scam, customers are told that President Obama and the federal government will provide a credit or directly pay utility bills. The scammers then give customers a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay the bills.

Reports from other parts of the country state that scammers have contacted customers by a variety of methods, including text message, social media, phone, and door-to-door. Since May 9, approximately 33 customers have attempted to use the fraudulent account number in Longview.

According to Willie Marshall, Customer Service Manager with the City of Longview Water Utilities, “Our customers need to know that there is scam out there, and that the bank routing number given is fraudulent. The federal government is not providing a credit for their local water utilities account.”

Customers are encouraged not to provide strangers with any personal information. Customers who used the fraudulent bank routing number are still responsible for their water utilities bill and should make arrangements for payment. To arrange for payment, please contact the Longview Water Utilities Department at 903-237-1030. Customers with any information about the scam are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.

TYLER — Significant damage is reported from a fire in Tyler’s Azalea District. The Tyler Fire Department responded to the two-alarm blaze Monday at 1122 South Chilton. The initial call was received shortly after 2:00 yesterday afternoon, and the caller reported a house with flames showing out of a second floor window. The first arriving unit called for a second alarm and reported a working fire on the second floor. Five engines and one ladder company, along with two district chiefs and an investigator, responded to the scene.

The fire apparently originated in a bedroom on the second floor. This room sustained heavy fire damage, and there was smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the house. Residents were not at home when the fire started. The fire remains under investigation.

TYLER – Tyler Police Monday located the woman was allegedly involved in an aggravated assault on North Grand. Investigators made contact with the suspect, who showed up at a local hospital to be treated for injuries she reportedly sustained during the altercation. Investigators are interviewing people who were present at the scene or involved in the incident. Police say the case remains under investigation and further details will be released when made available.

The incident left several persons injured. It happened just before 2:30 Monday morning in the 2100 block of North Grand. Tyler police say two women started fighting inside a building owned by a local motorcycle club. The fight eventually moved to the parking lot. Investigators say that one of the women, who was about 25 years of age, got into a tan or grey Ford SUV. A witness said the woman fled the parking lot only to turn around and come back running over three people. Two men were taken to Mother Francis Hospital by private vehicle. A woman was taken by EMS to Mother Frances Hospital. According to Patrol Sergeant Jason Burton, their injuries were serious but not life threatening.

TYLER — As a part of National Police Week (May 7 thru May 16), the nation is paying tribute to peace officers from across the country who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Monday at noon, a Memorial Service was held on the Downtown Square in Tyler. Honor Guards from the Tyler Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Lindale Police Department took part in the ceremony to honor area Law Enforcement Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty from May 2011 to May 2012.

In 2011, 166 officers died in the line of duty, and in 2012 to date, 36 officers have died in the line of duty throughout the country. Once again, Texas led the country with the death toll of 13 peace officers in 2011 and 2 officers in 2012, including our own Smith County Deputy Robert Britton Jr. on March 28, 2011. In 2011, the average age was 41 and average tour of duty was 12 years 9 months. The event included the posting of the colors, a wreath ceremony, Taps, a 21-gun salute, a riderless horse and a fly-over by a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter. Families of fallen officers and members of the public attended the ceremony.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities report an arrest and the recovery of some stolen property. On May 10 around 5:00pm, Deputy C. Hughes was dispatched to County Road 4418 in reference to a burglary that occurred possibly on May 9. Deputy Hughes was able to obtain information that led to the identity of the suspect and the whereabouts of the stolen property. During Deputy Hughes’ follow-up investigation, he contacted Criminal Investigator J. Burns. Together they identified the suspect as Robert Gipson and were able to recover 100% of the stolen property, which was valued at approximately $1,600. Gipson was arrested on a warrant and placed in the Van Zandt County Jail for burglary of a building, where he currently remains with a bond set at $15,000.

LONGVIEW — A two vehicle accident in Longview has left one person dead and three injured. The accident was reported around 6:00 Friday evening in the 2500 Block of West Marshall. Killed was Kevin Blake Gassett, 26, of Greenville. His pickup was hit by an SUV that hydroplaned on the road. It was driven by Thomas Montgomery of Gladewater. Montgomery and his passenger, Charles Deshaun Simmons we transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center along with Russell Wayne Nolan, 27, a passenger in Gassett’s pickup. All of the injuries were said to have been non-life-threatening.

EAST TEXAS — Just two days after the municipal elections, early voting got underway Monday in the Texas primary elections. The final day to vote early is May 25; Election Day is May 29. The primaries determine November candidates for state, county, and national offices.

Of key interest in Smith County is the sheriff’s election. Bobby Garmon, Chris Green, Larry Smith, and Donn Rust are on the GOP ballot; they’re vying to succeed longtime Sheriff J.B. Smith, who is retiring. There are no Democratic candidates. In another Tyler-area race, District 6 Texas House incumbent Leo Berman faces a challenge from Matt Schaefer in the Republican primary. In the District 7 GOP primary, incumbent David Simpson squares off against fellow Longview resident Tommy Merritt, who was defeated by Simpson in 2010. Both of those races also lack Democratic opposition. For more information on the elections, you can go to http://www.sos.state.tx.us/ or contact your local election office.

EAST TEXAS — Voters pass a $25 million bond issue for construction of a new nursing and health sciences building at Tyler Junior College. In Saturday’s election, the proposal won 54.82% of the vote. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke says, “I think it’s a victory for really everyone who lives here. It’s gonna mean those good jobs will be filled by local people, and we’ll grow some of our own future nurses and health professionals.” The other half of the $50 million project will be funded by donations and student fees. Metke expects ground to be broken by the end of the year.

In the race for Tyler City Council District 2, Darryl Bowdre took 51.87% of the ballots cast to prevail over Sarah Coats and Charles Burns. The current office holder, Donald Sanders, must leave the council due to term limits. Go to http://www.smith-county.com/Government/Departments/Elections/Default.aspx for complete results around the county.

Unofficial election results for the City of Longview show Jay Dean, John Sims, and Gary Smith as winners of the races for Longview Mayor, City Council District 1, and City Council District 2, respectively. You can visit http://longviewtexas.gov/city-elections for complete results of the Longview city elections. And another town has decided to allow liquor sales, according to KETK. Voters in Rusk passed a proposition to that effect with around 250 votes in favor and around 160 against. Three years ago, Rusk residents had voted to allow beer and wine sales.

TYLER — The trial is underway in Tyler’s 7th State District Court for Tara Kay McSwain, former owner/manager of East Texas Billing and former manager of Apple Swim & Fitness Center. McSwain, 37, faces nine counts of fraudulent possession of a controlled substance, a 3rd degree felony. Last June 16, an employee of Walgreens at 5415 S. Broadway called police and said there was a woman in the drive-thru attempting to pick up a fraudulent prescription for hydrocodone. Patrol officers and vice investigators arrived on the scene and took McSwain into custody after further investigation.

Investigators say they found several pieces of paper with physicians’ and patients’ names on them in McSwain’s purse. Police say the materials were discovered during the search incident to arrest and were believed to be used in a fraudulent manner. Police say because of her billing service for physicians, McSwain had access to doctor and patient information.

After investigators contacted several physicians and former patients, they say they developed probable cause that on six different occasions in 2011, McSwain provided fraudulent information to obtain a controlled substance from pharmacies in Tyler. On June 23, investigators arrested McSwain on six warrants for fraudulent possession of a controlled substance. McSwain was booked into Smith County Jail on a total bond of $120,000, set by Judge Randall Rogers.

TYLER (AP) – A spokesman for Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson says a review will determine whether the name of a man who supposedly served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen should be removed from a new state veterans home. Press secretary Jim Suydam told the Tyler Morning Telegraph that inquiries will be made as a result of a report by the newspaper raising questions about the military service claimed by Samuel M. Garrison Jr. Garrison, who died last May at the age of 88, was honored posthumously with the Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler. But a report by the Morning Telegraph Friday detailed how there are no records to substantiate his claim that he was part of the famed group of black pilots who fought in World War II.

CHANUTE, KAN. (AP) – An Oklahoma newspaper is reporting three recent graduates of Oral Roberts University and a former business instructor were killed when a small airplane crashed in Kansas. The Tulsa World reports the plane was headed to an event known as “Acquire the Fire,” organized by Smith County-based Teen Mania. The paper says a fifth person, Hannah Luce, was badly injured when the twin-engine Cessna crashed about 4:30 Friday afternoon northwest of Chanute. Luce, also an Oral Roberts graduate, is the daughter of Teen Mania president and founder Ron Luce, who serves on the ORU board of trustees.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the dead as Luke Sheets, 23, of Ephraim, Wis., who was flying the plane; Austin Anderson, 27, of Ringwood, Okla.; Garrett Coble, 29, of Tulsa, Okla.; and Stephen Luth, 22, of Muscatine, Iowa. National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson says the eight-seat plane departed left Tulsa headed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and lost contact with air traffic control shortly after getting permission to descend to a lower altitude.

WHITEHOUSE — A woman crashes her car into a nail salon Saturday morning. The incident happened at the Tan N’ Nails in the Whitehouse Town Center just after 8:30. Police tell KETK a woman accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake, causing her vehicle to plow into the store. Witnesses at the scene say the car, which was removed, went through the entire store. Police say two people were treated for minor injuries.

BROWNSBORO — An oil tank ignites in flames and shuts down parts of Highway 31 Friday night in Brownsboro. The Henderson County sheriff tells KETK officials believe lightning struck the tank. It happened near Highway 31 and FM 1803, toward Athens. The sheriff says no one was hurt.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police and other law enforcement agencies are searching for a man who has been using counterfeit $100 bills in East Texas. According to KETK, the man in the attached photo has reportedly used numerous counterfeit $100 bills to make smaller purchases, especially in the Tyler area recently. If he is told the bill is counterfeit, police say he urges the clerk to give it back to him. He has frequented department stores, auto parts stores, and convenience stores. If you have any information about this man, you are urged to contact your local law enforcement.

LONGVIEW — Longview police need help solving a burglary that occurred over two months ago. On March 4 at 2:20 p.m., officers responded to a residential burglary in the 1700 block of Rodden Drive. When officers arrived, they were told that someone had broken into the house, possibly through the sliding glass door. The resident was out of town, but the house sitter stated that upon returning to the house, he noticed that the sliding glass door was open and some property was missing. The burglars stole several pieces of jewelry, three handguns, and a laptop computer. The house sitter said the burglary occurred between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on March 4.

Recently, one of the victim’s neighbors was able to provide police with a video of the suspects. The suspects’ vehicle is believed to be a small 4 door car, green or blue in color, with a fin on the back of the trunk. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact Detective Gary Shirley at 903-237-1199 or remain anonymous by contacting Gregg County Crimestoppers at
http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman has received the endorsement of Governor Rick Perry as the longtime Tyler lawmaker seeks re-election. Perry says, “Leo Berman is a solid conservative legislator who serves the people of Texas with honor and integrity. His commitment to keeping taxes low and adhering to conservative budget principles have helped keep Texas a job-creation powerhouse and the Texas economy the envy of the nation. I know I can always count on Leo Berman to do the right thing, and I ask the people of District 6 to send him back to Austin.”

Berman commented, “Governor Perry and I have worked closely together to make Texas the great state that it is. I’m honored that the Governor has chosen to endorse my candidacy for reelection to the Texas House of Representatives and I expect to work closely with him to secure the Texas budget compact for our state.” Berman faces Matt Schaefer in May 29 GOP primary.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass is encouraging residents to register their home and cell phone numbers on the City Code Red System. This system is used by emergency management officials to notify residents of emergency situations. The system is used in a myriad of emergency situations, including amber alerts, missing persons, gas leaks and extreme weather emergencies. “The purpose of the Code Red system is to get information to our citizens as quickly as possible in an emergency situation,” said Mayor Bass. “Many of us rely upon the media for this type of notification; however, if you are not tuned in to your television when a situation arises, you may not be aware of the need for action.”

The City recently has used the Code Red system to warn Tyler residents to take cover due to a tornado sighting. Although the City does have outdoor warning sirens, residents inside their homes may not hear them in the event of an emergency. “The key word is outdoor,” explained Police Chief Gary Swindle. “If you are inside your home, it is quite possible you may not hear the outdoor sirens – particularly if you have music playing, are watching TV, if the wind is blowing or there is heavy rainfall. The Code Red system will call your home or cell phone to alert you of emergencies. We encourage residents to register their phone numbers if they haven’t already.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read more.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is searching for a man who robbed a gas station at gunpoint Thursday evening. According to KETK, at about 9:30 p.m., police were called to Clayton’s Git-N-Go on South Henderson Boulevard. When officers arrived, the clerk told them that a black man wearing a blue hoodie and a bandana over his face held the clerk up at gunpoint and demanded money. After getting the cash, the robber left on foot. Kilgore Police, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, a DPS helicopter, and Kilgore College police officers joined the hunt for the suspect, but he was not found. If you have any information about this robbery, you’re asked to contact Kilgore Police.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials have found a missing Henderson woman who was allegedly abducted. KETK reports Kimberly Ann Davis, 39, was located unharmed in Gregg County on Wednesday; however, she was arrested because of outstanding warrants and taken to the Rusk County Justice Center. Davis was reported missing by family members on Saturday, May 5, after they received information that she may have been abducted. Investigators immediately began to search across the Ark-La-Tex area. At last report, no persons had been identified in the alleged abduction. Davis told officers she did not wish to seek criminal prosecution in the matter. Authorities continue to investigate the possible abduction.

LAIRD HILL — Two Kilgore residents were arrested during a search of a home in Laird Hill Thursday. According to KETK, Rusk County officials busted Cecil Kenneth Babb, 26, and Carolyn Nell Brown, 43, on County Road 169D. Babb is charged with manufacture/delivery of substance, 2 counts of possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of a dangerous drug. His bond is set at$100,000. Brown is charged with possession of controlled substance. Her bond is set at $30,000. In February, 2009, Babb was arrested by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office for possession of controlled substance and money laundering. He was sentenced to 5 years in jail. Both suspects remain in the Rusk County Justice Center.

RUSK — A citizens’ group by the name of “CALL,” Citizens against Legalized Liquor, is clearing the air about its position on the liquor election in the city of Rusk. Voters there approved the sale of beer and wine three years ago. Now comes Saturday’s vote on sales of liquor in the city. According to KETK, the group is refuting rumors that it has accepted money from competitors in other towns to fight the liquor sale election in Rusk. The group says its members are people of integrity who have refused offers of money from people who sell liquor in other East Texas communities. The group is asking the people of Rusk to pray about the election to decide if the sale of hard liquor is what is best for their families and the community.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been charged with public intoxication after he was reportedly found dancing outside a Tyler restraint in his underwear. Deshondre Antonio Jones, 22, of Tyler, was arrested last night outside On the Border. Police reports say, while Jones was dancing, he began taking off his clothes until he was down to his underwear. Jail records indicate this was Jones’ second arrest this week. He was arrested on Monday and also charged with public intoxication

AUSTIN — If Bigfoot is in Texas, he might want to hit the road. It’s legal to kill him. The reason this came up was that an Oregon-based Bigfoot hunter wanted to explore East Texas for the mythical creature, so he shot a letter to Parks and Wildlife, asking if it was against the law to shoot a Sasquatch. The agency wrote him back, saying no. Parks spokesman Mike Cox comments, “We’re all in favor of tourists coming to Texas and enjoying the great Texas outdoors — and, you know, they might want to stay in one of our state parks.” But Cox says Bigfoot hunters will be disappointed. Game wardens have been out since the 1800s, and they’ve never seen one.

LUFKIN — The Texas Forestry Association, which represents forest landowners, loggers and forest products manufacturers in Texas, has announced its opposition to S. 2324 recently introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The bill would allow the study of the Neches River in East Texas for possible designation for protection under the National Wild & Scenic River (NW&SR) Act. According to KETK, the Forestry Association made the announcement following approval at their May 4th Board of Directors Meeting, held in Lufkin.

“Designation of the Neches River as wild and scenic is not in the best interest of landowners and would have devastating effects on the forest industry and surrounding communities,” said Ron Hufford, Executive Vice President of Texas Forestry Association. “Designation would infringe on private property rights of landowners and limit the use of the land for agricultural and forestry practices, as well as encumber the future economic growth of the forest industry in East Texas.”

Earlier, Hutchison said, “The Neches River is one of Texas’ most beautiful, free-flowing rivers and provides a vital habitat for fish and other aquatic animals. Its location in the heart of the Central Flyway makes it a crucial path for migrating ducks, geese, and songbirds. A Wild and Scenic River designation would help preserve all these attributes.”

TYLER – In an appearance in federal court in Tyler, a Dallas man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Rafael Maciel, 28, appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate John D. Love.

Maciel was indicted by a Grand Jury on March 8. According to the evidence presented in court, on or about January 26, Maciel possessed approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine. He possessed the cocaine with the intent to deliver it to others in and around the Eastern District of Texas.

Maciel faces no less than 5 years in prison, nor more than 40, a $5,000,000.00 fine and at least 4 years of supervised release. Maciel also agreed to a forfeiture judgment in the amount of $50,000.

TYLER – A Harrison County man has appeared in Tyler federal court to plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Ty Hardin, 47, of Hallsville, appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judith K. Guthrie. Hardin faces no more than 5 years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine and at least 2 years of supervised release.

Hardin was indicted by a Grand Jury on March 8, along with one co-defendant. According to the evidence presented in court, from a date prior to November 1, 2011, and continuing through that date, Hardin agreed with other persons to acquire and distribute marijuana in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. Hardin and his co-defendant possessed more than 5 kilograms of marijuana.

KILGORE — A fistfight at Kilgore High School led to one teen being taken to the emergency room for a minor cut. The fight, involving five high schoolers, broke out in the lunch line during the second lunch period on Thursday and eventually moved outside. When teachers came to break up the fight, the teens scattered. In order to determine which kids were in the fight, the school told teachers to keep students in the classrooms until those who were involved in the fight were identified.

Superintendent Jody Clemens tells KETK that the school was never on official lockdown, despite other media reports. The teachers were simply told to keep the students in their classrooms for a short time so that the teens involved in the fight could be identified. No weapons were involved in the fight. One high school student was taken a local hospital to have a cut over his eye stitched up, but his injury was not serious.

ATLANTA, GA. (AP) – The husband accused of shooting his wife eight times outside of their Sandy Springs, Georgia, apartment has waived extradition and is returning to Georgia. Michael Parson was arrested in Van Zandt County last weekend. Police say he will be charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and giving false statement in writing concealing the facts of a felony. Adina Parson, an attorney for the state Department of Public Health, is making significant progress after being shot three times in the head on April 20. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Michael Parson could be back in Georgia by early next week. The case is not yet on the calendar to be heard before the grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia.

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of May have decreased .76% as compared to May 2011. This has resulted in a 1.84% cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $3,282,753.29 comprises $2,188,502.19 general sales tax revenue and $1,094,251.10 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures from the state comptroller’s office represent receipts from March 2012 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are disappointed to see this slight decrease in collections after experiencing an almost 11 percent increase last month,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The economy is slowly recovering; however, we are seeing significant fluctuations in sales tax revenues. Consequently, we are approaching our expenditures and next year’s budget in a very conservative manner.

“The year-to-date increase of 1.84% is still below our budget of 3% growth; so, at this time, we will continue with the soft hiring freeze that was put in place as a precautionary measure to ensure we are keeping our expenses in balance with current revenues. In addition, we will continue the postponement of employee pay adjustments until we reach our goal of 3% growth.”