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TYLER – The Tyler ISD Foundation held its annual Grant Patrol Thursday at campuses throughout TISD. The Tyler ISD Foundation has selected eight teachers to receive grants totaling more than $22,000. In addition, the Foundation will be granting $25,000 in funds toward district-wide programs such as the Teacher of the Year Banquet, Teacher Retirement and Service Recognition and Convocation. This is more than twice the amount for grants to campuses and the district than last year.

2011-2012 Grants:

“Brain Booster Backpack”
Caldwell Elementary—Katy Lee
$1000
• The Brain Booster Backpack Program allows students to take home a theme-centered backpack full of quality literature and follow-up activities.

“Red Light-Green Light”
Jones Boshears—Olga Salas, Teri de Jong, Andre Lampton, Amy Mahurin, Hollee Williams
$2,450
• The objective of this project is to provide students with a working model of a city street. The purpose is to teach the meaning of and obedience to a traffic signal, a crosswalk, a few simple road signs and basic bicycle safety.

“Happy Healing”

Rice Elementary—Robin Ewing and Tammani Frazier
$1878.00
• The long-term goal of this grant is to create a year-round program with Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and Tyler ISD schools that will allow artwork from every school and every grade to be displayed in the children’s wing of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

“Seussical”
Caldwell Elementary—Derek Johnson, Johnnie Patton, Katy Lee, Nikki Aubuchon
$2,500
• This elementary school fine arts team is seeking funds to produce the Broadway Junior Musical, “Suessical.”

“The Leader In Me: Building Leaders, One Child at a Time”
Jack Elementary—Kim Hill, Robin Walker, Thurndotte Ray
$5,000
• With “The Leader In Me” training component, this project seeks to teach children the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

“Greening Up the Future”
Hubbard Middle School—DeAnna Malloy and campus population of Hubbard Middle School
$5,000
• This project mixes fun in the sun with learning about solar energy.

“Falcon Leadership Ambassadors”
Dogan Middle School—Janna Dugle
$1000
• Dogan Middle School historically has had the reputation of being the school that does not excel in academics or community service. This year the students will participate in community service projects, school and community awareness programs, leadership techniques and school pride activities.

“Seeing is Believing” The College Application Process Made Clear
John Tyler High School and Robert E. Lee High School—Celia Tucker, Angela Jenkins, Pam Rodriguez, Jacob Walker and Greg McRae
$3375.00
• Applying for college can seem like a maze to those who are not familiar with the process. Project organizers say seeing and hearing the facts in vibrant colors on a screen together with support from the school can enhance understanding and empower individuals to be self reliant.

“Tyler ISD Communications/PR Events”
$25,000
Laura Jackson and Jessica Poe; District Wide Encouragement, Recognition and Incentive Events
• Teacher of the Year Banquet
• Teacher Retirement and Service Recognition
• Convocation

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) — The State Department is ordering the developer of a pipeline that would carry oil from western Canada to Texas to reroute the project away from environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska. That decision could delay a final U.S. decision on the project until after the 2012 election. The decision will require an environmental review – and that could take at least a year.

TransCanada Corp. is seeking to build the $7 billion pipeline, which would pass through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County. Another part of the 1,700-mile pipeline would pass through Nebraska’s Sandhills region and an aquifer that supplies water to eight states. Two senior State Department officials who are familiar with the project described the decision to The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the decision before an official announcement.

LONGVIEW — Longview sales tax revenue for November represents the 15th consecutive month sales tax revenues for the city posted at least a 4 percent monthly increase over the prior year — although November’s increase was not as high as in October. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the city collected $1.995 million this month, nearly 6%, or $112,500 more than November 2010, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The figure represents receipts from September sales in Longview.

Through the first two months of Fiscal Year 2012, the city has seen a 6.85%, or nearly $230,000 increase in sales tax revenue. November’s numbers were not as strong as one month ago, when the city’s revenue increased nearly 8%.

WOOD COUNTY — A Dallas woman has been arrested Wednesday on several charges including possession of marijuana. According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to the Silver Leaf Resort in Holly Lake Ranch for a possible burglary of motor vehicle. A security officer said he noticed a woman, later identified as Jackie Cornwell, 48, pulling a power washer across the property. When approached, she took off running to a condo on the other side of the complex.

Wood County authorities arrived and noticed marijuana in plain sight. Cornwell was place in custody. Her neighbor identified assorted power tools, masonry tools, extension cords, a work light and a tool box with assorted tools. The items were released to the owner. Cornwell was booked in to Wood County Jail for Burglary of a motor vehicle and possession of marijuana.

GRAPEVINE (AP) – The remains of a Korean War veteran from East Texas have been returned to his family more than 60 years after he was declared missing in action. Relatives of Sgt. 1st Class Benny Rogers were at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday to welcome a Honolulu flight. The casket, draped with a U.S. flag, was solemnly lowered from a commercial jet’s cargo hold and placed in a hearse. His niece, Ruth Davis, said the family is happy to have “Benny back.” Relatives last heard from the corporal days before the 1950 Battle of Unsan. Military officials in March identified Rogers, using DNA, from several sets of human remains discovered more than a decade ago. Burial is planned Saturday near Athens. Rogers was promoted from corporal posthumously.

WOOD COUNTY — Wood County narcotics units assisted Wood County Child Protective Services investigators Tuesday at a residence on FM 2966 due to a search warrant. The welfare call came in after concerns for the children and possible drugs being at the residence. While executing the search warrant, Wood County officials came across 5lb 8oz of marijuana. Larry Odis Schoonover, 36, Quitman, was arrested for possession of marijuana and was booked into the Wood County Correctional Facility.

TYLER — This morning, CH2M Hill, the NET RMA’s Design/Build contractors, will be closing the eastbound lane of State Highway 64 at the Toll 49 intersection to place concrete bridge girders. SH 64 will be reduced to alternating one-way traffic during placement of the girders. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid potential delays in the construction area between 8:00am and 12:00 noon.

WINONA — Smith County fire officials have named the victim in a fatal north Smith County fire. A trailer caught fire just before 1:00 Wednesday morning in the 20,000 block of Highway 271 near Farm Road 16, in the Winona area. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton says the person found dead in the fire was Paula Renee Wilkins, 55. Officials say she was staying in a travel trailer next to a house which was being renovated. The owner of the house was not living in it at the time of the fire. A passer-by reportedly saw flames deep in the tree line, and attempted to help. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

KILGORE — Authorities have provided additional details in an accident in which one person was killed and one injured in Gregg County. According to KETK, officials say the man involved, Anthony Kevin Brown Jr. of Kilgore, was drunk and now faces intoxication manslaughter charges. The accident was reported shortly after 5:30 Tuesday afternoon near Kilgore, on Farm Road 2276, half a mile north of Farm Road 2204. The DPS says a GMC pickup driven by Brown was southbound when it crossed over and hit a northbound Ford Expedition driven by Nancy Gwen Huyser of Kilgore. Huyser, 55, was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. on scene. Brown was listed in stable condition with head injuries at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A pipeline that transports crude oil from Canada through seven states is operational again after it was temporarily shut down. TransCanada Corp. isn’t saying much about what caused the shutdown, other than “mechanical issues.” Crude began flowing through the $5.2 billion pipeline last year. It’s designed to carry 590,000 barrels of oil daily. The Calgary-based company is seeking to build the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline (seen on the map at left) that would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas. That project, which would run through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County, is awaiting U.S. State Department approval.

TYLER – Three persons are in custody in connection with the robbery of a man doing volunteer work in the vicinity of Beckham and Locust. He tells officers, Wednesday afternoon, the men came up from behind him, took his wallet from his pants and fled.

A short time later, the victim’s wife reported the stolen card was used at a Whataburger in the area. Officers remembered a traffic stop from earlier Wednesday morning that matched the description of the vehicle and suspects involved. That led them to Grand Manor apartments off of 29th street where the three suspects were located. Officers say evidence linking them to the theft was found.

Taken into custody was Tommy Brattles, 19, Rodrick Horton, 21 and Gerard Lindsey, 19. They have been charged with theft and the use of a stolen credit card.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted unanimously to contract with Garfield Traub Developments, LLC (with PKF Consulting USA as a subcontractor) to conduct a market and feasibility study for the construction, financing, and operation of a conference center and/or multipurpose center. Tourism was identified as one of Tyler’s chief opportunities for economic growth in the Industry Growth Initiative that was adopted in mid-2010. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 visits are lost each year because Tyler has not had the facilities to accommodate large conferences. “Tourism brings fresh dollars to our economy,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “This is money from outside our region being spent in Tyler. The result is jobs for Tylerites and economic vitality.”

During the last Texas Legislative session, the City requested that Senator Kevin Eltife and Representative Chuck Hopson sponsor and carry bills to amend the Tax Code to allow for an additional two percent hotel occupancy tax to be collected within Tyler City Limits. This legislation was subsequently adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. An enabling ordinance was also passed by the City Council. By law, this additional two percent must be used for the construction, expansion, maintenance, or operation of convention center facilities, which may include a conference/convention center, multipurpose facility, arena or related facility. “A new facility will give us a competitive advantage when trying to bring large conferences to Tyler,” said Shari Rickman, general manager – vice president, conventions for the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The City’s budget includes a separate accounting for this additional two percent hotel occupancy tax, and funds have been programmed to commence with a market/feasibility study for a new or expanded facility. Garfield Traub Developments will provide development economics, financing, planning and project support to the City to complete preliminary, yet realistic, financing models for development. The contractor would also examine any related studies performed by others, as well as gather input from the local hotel industry/association and other interested parties or potential partners.

“The need for larger conference/event facilities has been discussed for years. With the adoption of the IGI, we felt that the time was right to begin putting funding sources in place to address the call for expanded facilities. Now that some ‘seed’ funding is in place, we are exploring the facility and location that will be most beneficial for Tyler,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. Officials say the entire study will be completed in approximately 90 days, at which time the consultants will report their findings to the Council.

LONGVIEW — Longview Rodeo Arena is closed to the public at perhaps the height of its popularity. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the city must now decide whether to spend $1 million to demolish and replace the structure that has served Longview at least six decades.

The city closed the arena after a Houston-based civil engineering firm on Oct. 18 found structural damage and corrosion to the bleachers. In his report, Senior Structural Engineer Keith Burkholder with Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, Inc., said the arena’s grandstands are in disrepair and structurally unsound. He also found significant corrosion, design and construction deficiencies on all five grandstands and recommended that the facility be demolished and replaced because of the “substantial cost for complete restoration” of the arena to meet building code requirements. Burkholder said it was the first inspection in his 26-year career in which he recommended a facility’s closure.

“We’ve known for some time that this facility was in dire straits, because every year we spend money to patch it up,” Mayor Jay Dean said. “It has gotten to the point where we are not curing the problem, but instead postponing the inevitable.” Municipal leaders Thursday will present to council members a $1 million plan to demolish and replace the rodeo arena’s grandstands, lighting and announcer’s booth. If approved by the council in December, Public Works Director Keith Bonds said construction would be complete prior to the arena’s next scheduled event, Dalton Days on April 14-15.

FLINT — Smith County Firefighters battled two house fires in Flint. Fire Investigators say lightning may have been to blame. It happened around 12:00 Tuesday afternoon on Cass Circle. Authorities say they believe a lightning bolt may have jumped from one house to another. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Police are investigating a shooting in North Longview less than a half mile from Longview High School. Authorities say the victim, Wednesday morning, was on his way to make a deposit with company money from the night before. The man was traveling on Skyline Drive when three young men stopped his vehicle and ambushed him, shooting the driver in his upper body. The victim sped away to a nearby Austin Bank. His condition is unknown. Officials describe the suspects as three black males, wearing black clothing and in their late teens or early twenties. A Gregg County DPS helicopter and a K-9 unit were brought in to help in the search. Some road closures were instituted.

GREGG COUNTY — A popular eatery has reopened after closing due to health inspection violations. Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, in Longview, remained closed Tuesday early afternoon after city health inspectors found eight critical violations and gave the restaurant a score of D. Longview environmental health personnel inspected the restaurant, U.S. 259 North and Hawkins Parkway, Monday afternoon and found several violations.

According to municipal records, Cheddar’s had eight critical violations, including improper cooling of cooked and prepared foods, improper handling of ready-to-eat foods and poor hygienic practices. The restaurant was cited for its fourth-ever violation of temperature requirements, the kitchen salad cooler at 57 degrees – another fourth violation – and the inspector’s finding of an “infestation of flies on everything, clean equipment, utensils, food contact surfaces and walls.”

HENDERSON – Henderson voters have approved both alcohol propositions in Tuesday’s election. But a school bond proposal failed. According to the unofficial returns:
Henderson Alcohol Proposition 1 – Sale of alcohol in stores
1,391 votes in favor
1,153 votes against

Henderson Alcohol Proposition 2 – Sale of mixed drinks in restaurants
1,495 votes in favor
1,042 votes against

Henderson ISD Bond
1854 votes in favor
1941 votes against

WINONA – Authorities are trying to identify a body found in northern Smith County and determine the cause of death. The body was found around 8:00 Tuesday morning southeast of Winona off County Road 353. Investigators, who suspect foul play, said it appeared as if the body had not been there very long. The body has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy. The man, said to be in his 20s, was said to have been wearing blue jeans with a blue zip-up fleece Dickies jacket and white and red Prada tennis shoes.

TYLER — Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is on hand for the dedication of Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler. A ceremony to dedicate what’s termed a one-of-a-kind long-term care facility was held this morning at the home site, at 11466 Honor Lane. Tours of the home were made available after the dedication ceremony. Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is named after three local heroes — two Medal of Honor recipients and a Tuskegee airman. Family members of Travis Earl Watkins, James Marion Logan and Samuel M. Garrison were on hand to share stories and display treasured memorabilia, including two Medals of Honor.

Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is built on 20 acres donated by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The donated land is just north of the Health Science Center, along the west side of Highway 155, just south of County Road 334. The home was made possible thanks to a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with the remaining 35 percent paid for by the Texas Veterans Land Board. The new Texas State Veterans Home will join seven others across the state in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, McAllen and Temple. But unlike previous Texas State Veterans Homes, the Smith County home will consist of 10 cottages and one common building. The design approach for each cottage focuses on drawing residents into social connection by mixing the best communal aspects of a home while still maintaining privacy and independence for residents.

Texas State Veterans Homes offer a broad spectrum of health care services, comprehensive rehabilitation programs, special diets, recreational activities, social services, libraries, and certified, secured Alzheimer’s units, each with its own secured outdoor courtyard. For additional information on Texas State Veterans Homes, including eligibility criteria, you can call 1-800-252-VETS (8387). You can also visit the Texas Veterans Land Board website at http://www.texasveterans.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/TXVLB to find information on Facebook.

TYLER – A 58-year-old Wills Point man has pleaded guilty to child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Brian Douglas Brown pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, in June 2011, Brown communicated via online chats with an individual identified to him as being 14 years old, to whom Brown expressed the desire to engage in sexual activity with the child. Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011, and charged with child exploitation charges.

BEAUMONT – A Lufkin physician has been charged with federal income tax violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. David A. Mosig, 60, appeared Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone in Beaumont on three charges of making false statements on a tax return. According to prosecutors, Mosig is alleged to have filed Forms 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns and statements for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 tax years, which under-reported his income for each of the respective tax reporting periods. Mosig was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 19, 2011 and charged with federal income tax violations. If convicted, Mosig faces up to three years in federal prison on each charge.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of counterfeit money. Bryan Scott Mayfield entered the plea in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to federal authorities, on June 4, 2011, Mayfield assisted another person in passing counterfeit money at a Wal-Mart in Gilmer. Mayfield knew a cashier at the Wal-Mart and contacted her to see if she would be working on that date. Mayfield told her that he and others were planning to use counterfeit currency, and she agreed to let them make the purchase at her cash register. Mayfield was present and assisted in the purchase of a laptop computer with eight counterfeit $100 bills.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Sep. 15, 2011, charging Mayfield with federal crimes. Mayfield faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A 47-year-old illegal alien living in Tyler has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Manuel Venegas Gomez pleaded guilty on Mar. 25, 2011, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced in Tyler to 121 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Gomez was also ordered to forfeit $106,380 in cash and a judgment in the amount of $50,000.

According to information presented in court, up until Dec. 18, 2010, Gomez conspired with others to distribute more than 15 kilograms of cocaine throughout East Texas. Gomez and co-defendants were arrested packaging over $100,000 in cash to send to Mexico for cocaine sales. They were also in possession of two kilos of cocaine, methamphetamine and a firearm.

On Sep. 28, 2011, Jorge Alberto Gutierrez-Salinas was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and Santos Barrera-Mendoza was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. The three men were indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 13, 2011.

TYLER – A 63-year-old Christianburg, Virginia man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Charles Abner Richey, Jr., pleaded guilty on July 7, 2011, to coercion and enticement of minors. He was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to prosecutors, from Apr. 19, 2011 to May 5, 2011, Richey used a computer to communicate with a minor in an attempt to engage in sexual activity. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 2, 2011, charging Richey with federal child pornography violations.

TYLER – A 44-year-old Crandall man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Kyle Mack Adams pleaded guilty on June 14, 2011, to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. He was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison on Nov. 7, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to federal authorities, between December 2009 and December 2010, Adams used fraudulent credit card numbers in an attempt to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from various retailers. Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 2, 2011 and charged with federal violations.

TYLER – A 24-year-old Mabank man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Christopher Lee Chambers pleaded guilty on May 24, 2011, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in Tyler to 37 months in federal prison on Nov. 7, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 24, 2010, Chambers was found to be in possession of a Marlin .243 caliber rifle. Further investigation revealed Chambers was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of unlawful use of a criminal instrument in Henderson County and burglary of a building in Harrison County, both in 2006. As a convicted felon, Chambers is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Chambers was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 8, 2011, and charged with federal firearms violations.

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas man will follow his brother to prison over credit card fraud involving numbers stolen online and from a restaurant. Federal prosecutors in Tyler on Tuesday announced Nathan Michael of Malakoff has been sentenced to more than four years in prison. Michael pleaded guilty in May to access device fraud. He also was ordered Monday to repay more than $95,000. His brother, Christopher Michael, pleaded guilty in May to access device fraud and was later sentenced to four years in prison, plus must make restitution. Elizabeth Pickrell, who worked at a Chicken Express in Tyler, pleaded guilty in April to access device fraud and was later sentenced to two years in prison. Charge card numbers were stolen from the restaurant. A fourth person in the scam awaits sentencing.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Receives Texas Comptroller Award for Financial Transparency Smith County Judge Joel Baker announced today that Smith County is the proud recipient of a 2011 Texas Comptroller Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency. The Comptroller Gold Leadership Award recognizes government entities that set the bar for financial transparency and access to the public. The Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online by providing citizens with a clear, consistent picture of spending and sharing information in a user friendly format.

The program spotlights those local governments that are:

* opening their books to the public
* providing clear, consistent pictures of spending
* sharing information in a user-friendly format

This is the second year Smith County has received this top honor in financial
transparency.

TYLER — Authorities were urging drivers yesterday to be extra cautious while driving during rainy or drizzly conditions. Officials responded to the scene of a crash involving a Tyler Police vehicle that was protecting the scene of a one car accident in the 1400 block of South Glenwood. The officer was out of the vehicle when it was struck from behind by a 2000 Nissan Pick-up driven by Latasha King, 19, Tyler. Police said King was traveling too fast for the wet street conditions and was unable to stop in time sliding into the rear of the patrol vehicle. She was transported to ETMC with non-life threatening injuries.

Tyler Police investigated close to 20 vehicle crashes from 6:30 to 9:30 Tuesday morning. Tyler Police remind drivers to slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, especially during bad weather.

MARTINS MILL (AP) – The discovery of a vehicle in a drought-lowered East Texas lake has led to the recovery of a missing woman’s body. Van Zandt County Constable Pat Jordan says authorities do not believe foul play was involved in the death. Autopsy results are pending on the woman believed to be Brenda Kay Oliver. Jordan says low water in a small, private lake near Martins Mill led to the discovery Saturday of a partly submerged vehicle. A man living nearby saw a windshield sticking out of the water. The vehicle, with a handicapped license plate, was registered to Oliver. The car and the woman were reported missing in July 2008. Relatives say Oliver had been distraught over the 2000 death of her teenage son.