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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.”

LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Representative David Simpson of Longview admits his job in the Texas Legislature makes his stomach churn. But the tea party favorite says he’s seeking re-election to keep government from becoming all-consuming. Whether tea party supporters can propel their favorites from 2010 to victory again may decide three key Texas House races in the state’s May 29 Republican primary. Simpson is facing the man he beat two years ago, former state Representative Tommy Merritt.

A Southeast Texas race pits tea party darling Representative James White against another incumbent, Representative Mike Hamilton. The two Republicans are squaring off due to redistricting. But some grassroots conservative groups claim Hamilton is too moderate. In West Texas, another 2010 rematch has former state Representative Delwin Jones trying to unseat tea partier Representative Charles Perry of Lubbock.

TIMPSON (AP) – Authorities say a 3.7 earthquake has shaken parts of East Texas. The U.S. Geological Survey says the tremor struck Thursday morning in an area between Garrison and Timpson, about 24 miles northeast of Nacogdoches. Gary Patterson of the U.S. Geological Survey in Memphis says survey geologists are baffled by the event. He says, “It’s not where we normally see earthquakes in Texas.” Timpson City Secretary Tanya Windham says she initially thought a nearby train had derailed and it “shook the whole city hall” for about 15 to 20 seconds. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss says the shifting earth cracked concrete and brick support columns and window panes but did no significant damage. There were no reported injuries.

TYLER — Tyler philanthropist and businessman Bill Barrett is dead. He was 67. KETK reports that Barrett has been honored for his work in education and civic leadership. He served on the development board for UT Tyler and on the Tyler Junior College Foundation board. A memorial service and private burial were held Thursday.

LONGVIEW — Natural gas prices are hurting property values in East Texas. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, property values in Gregg County dropped from $8.2 billion last year to $7.9 billion this year. The values aren’t being helped by the combination of low natural gas prices and companies shifting operations to the Haynesville Shale in South Texas. White Oak was the only area in the county to see an increase. The values will be certified by mid summer.

LONGVIEW — Next time you ride the city bus in Longview, you may notice a police officer riding along with you. As part of a new program, Longview Transit and LPD have teamed up to put officers on the buses. Once a month, according to KETK, officers will board the buses and ride along for a couple hours. The program will help provide a more secure environment for riders and will also allow riders to reach out to the officers.

TYLER – A two vehicle accident in Tyler has left one person dead and one is in custody. It happened around 9:15 Wednesday night in the 9100 block of Paluxy Drive. For a while, Paluxy had to be closed between Cumberland Road and Loop 49. Killed was Tara Dawn Smith, 36. She died during surgery at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle was Dallas Youmans, 21, of Tyler. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

PALESTINE – Anderson County authorities say a man wanted in a murder case from November 2010, is now in custody. Jacob Martinez, 22, of Palestine, was arrested around 6:00 Tuesday evening in Midland. Representatives with the Midland County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested Martinez at some Midland apartments. He was wanted for the shooting death of Cedric Bland, 20, of Palestine. Bland was first taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was later transferred to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center where he died.