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TYLER — Texas Oncology-Tyler and Mother Frances Hospital of Tyler make a major announcement regarding a partnership with the International Genomics Consortium and the National Institutes of Health’s Cancer Genome Atlas project. Only 12 sites in the U.S. will be initially chosen within the IGC Network to participate in the project, which will look for the underlying mechanisms that cause cancer. Mother Frances spokesman John Moore says he and his colleagues are “very proud” to be a partner with Texas Oncology Tyler. Moore says Mother Frances does a lot of cancer surgeries and treatments every year. But according to Moore, the chance to actually participate in a large-scale study that will provide free data on ways to cure cancer is “just a great honor.”

TYLER — A new treatment that was tested at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has proven to be successful against a rare but serious lung disease called LAM, short for lymphangioleiomyomatosis. “Finally, a drug – sirolimus – has been found that can slow the progression of LAM, an unusual disorder that can lead to serious disability and death,” said James Stocks, M.D., a nationally known lung disease specialist. “LAM primarily strikes younger women who often still have young children at home. Though this is not a miracle cure, it is an important first step,” added Dr. Stocks, the principal investigator of the LAM clinical study at UTHSCT. Most women with the disease live only another eight to 10 years after their diagnosis.

Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin, is the first drug to effectively treat LAM, Dr. Stocks said. Because it suppresses the body’s immune system, sirolimus currently is used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs. It also is used as a coating for cardiac artery stents – metal mesh tubes that prop the arteries open – to prevent clotting. During one year of treatment, sirolimus improved the lung function and quality of life of the women who took it, according to the Multicenter International LAM Efficacy of Sirolimus (MILES). MILES is the first randomized, controlled study of a treatment for LAM. In this study, women were randomly assigned to receive sirolimus or a placebo, which is a substance that has no effect, such as a sugar pill.

In women with the disease, abnormal, out-of-control, muscle-like cells take over their lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys. These mutant cells destroy normal lung tissue, making breathing difficult, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sometimes the lungs of women with LAM collapse, causing pain and shortness of breath. LAM usually worsens over time, but how quickly it progresses varies greatly, the NHLBI says. Symptoms of LAM are shortness of breath, especially during physical activity; chest pain; frequent cough; and wheezing. The results of MILES were published in a recent online edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Besides UTHSCT, other institutions participating in the study included National Jewish Health in Denver; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; the University of California at Los Angeles; Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston; the University of Toronto, Canada; and the National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chou Chest Medical Center in Osaka, Japan.

Funding for the study was provided by the NIH Office of Rare Disease Research; the Food and Drug Administration; the LAM Foundation, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare; the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; the University of Cincinnati; the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance Rothberg Courage Award; Vi and John Adler; and the Adler Foundation.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate two drive-by shootings. They occurred yesterday morning between 2:30 and 3:30. Officers first responded to 2411 Live Oak then got another report of shots fired at a 1506 N Pegues. The residents were home at both locations. No injuries were reported. Authorities say they do not believe the two shootings are related. Anyone with information is urged to contact Tyler Police, at 903-531-1000.

HALLSVILLE – A Dallas man remains in guarded condition in a Longview hospital following a weekend shooting in Hallsville. The shooting was reported around 10:00 Sunday night at a residence on Farm Road 449.

Investigators say Richard Newland, 47, was found lying on the ground outside the house. He had been shot once in the stomach. A suspect identified as L. J. Harris of Dallas was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and placed in the Harrison County jail in lieu of a $50,000.

Investigators say Newland, Harris and a third Dallas man had been visiting at the Harrison County residence. As they were preparing to drive back to Dallas an argument erupted. Investigators say Harris went back into the house and found a .22 caliber rifle. When he came back outside, that’s when Newland was shot.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed three members to the Sulphur River Basin Authority Board of Directors. The board handles construction, maintenance and operations of the Sulphur River and its tributaries in the state and watershed.

Named to the panel are Wally Kraft of Paris is a veterinarian and owner of the Animal Health Center, Michael Russell of Clarksville is owner and operator of Cuthand Creek Cattle Company and Patricia Wommack of Lone Star is retired from the U.S. Department of Defense. Kraft was appointed for a term to expire February 1, 2013 while the others were reappointed for a term to expire February 1, 2017.

These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

TYLER — Tyler ISD trustees took care of a variety of business at a special Tuesday meeting. The Board of Trustees approved the canvass of votes from the May 1 trustee election as presented, proclaiming Orenthia Mason as trustee for Single Member District 2 and Shirley Jordan as trustee for Single Member District 4. The newly elected trustees took the oath of office and will each serve a three-year term. Trustees also approved Michelle Carr, Single Member District 6, as the Board President, and Mason as the Board Vice President. They will serve in these positions for one year.

The Board of Trustees also gave the green light to two new principals. Joanne Saul was authorized and approved as principal of Dixie Elementary School. Mrs. Saul has 14 years of education experience. She has been the interim principal of Dixie since January. Prior to joining Tyler ISD, Saul worked in Alief ISD where she was an assistant principal, a technology and science specialist, and a fourth grade teacher.

Misti Rasure was authorized and approved as Boulter Middle School principal. Mrs. Rasure has 15 years of education experience with almost 10 years in Tyler ISD. She has been the interim principal since March at Boulter, where she was previously the assistant principal of instruction. Rasure was also at Moore Middle School as an instructional specialist, a math department head and teacher, and summer school principal. Both principals begin their new positions immediately.

EAST TEXAS — Tyler and Longview officers are once again participating in the Click It or Ticket enforcement program, which targets seat belt and child safety restraint violators. The current program began Monday and continues through June 5. Texas law requires every person sitting in the front or rear seat of a vehicle to wear a safety belt. A child less than eight years old and less than four feet, nine inches tall must be secured in a child safety seat. Drivers can be stopped and ticketed for a safety belt violation if they, or any of their passengers under the age of 15, are not buckled up or properly restrained. Traffic fines for failing to use a seat belt or secure a child in a safety seat can run from $25 to $200, plus court costs.

TYLER — Smith County law enforcement agencies will be out in force during the Memorial Day holiday, this Friday through Sunday — and they won’t be taking “no” for an answer. A multi-joint effort between the District Attorney’s Office and police agencies from all over the county will participate in the ‘No-Refusal’ DWI Campaign once again. Upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked to blow into a breath-test machine or take a blood test. If the driver refuses, officers will obtain an immediate search warrant signed by a judge on call to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. The blood is then analyzed to determine whether the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for driving in Texas.

Authorities say the program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. According to law officers, it is the intent of all law enforcement agencies that this effort will act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid driving while intoxicated because they know that police officers will be conducting sobriety testing with or without driver’s consent.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police Department Detectives have concluded their nine-month investigation into the August 29, 2010 deaths of two local residents. Around 7:30 that morning, officers were called to a house on the 300 block of Davis Street following a report of a man and woman bleeding in the front yard. When officers arrived on scene, they found the body of Brianna Shaw, 23, on the front porch of the residence and the body of Artha Griffin, 64, on the ground next to the porch. Each victim was dead and had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Evidence found at the scene indicated that Artha Griffin shot Brianna Shaw and then shot himself, but the gun was missing from the scene. Detectives did not find the gun used in this incident, delaying the investigation results, according to police. Authorities say all available evidence proved the deaths to be a murder-suicide and showed that a third party removed the gun from the scene. Detectives believe they have identified the person responsible for removing the gun from the scene following the deaths, but they say they have not developed enough probable cause to charge that person with a crime. The Lufkin Police Department says it will not release the name of this person because a criminal charge is not pending.

LONGVIEW — A weekend burglary causes one East Texas daycare to shut down for a day. It happened at the Kids Connection Preschool on the 200 block of Pine Tree Road in Longview. Officials tell KETK sometime between Friday night and Monday morning, someone broke a window and ransacked the place. The owners declined to comment on camera, but said nothing like this has ever happened in the 15 years they’ve been open. Longview police say they’re surprised this happened to a day care. If you have any information on this case, you’re asked to call police right away.

LINDALE — A Hawkins teen was killed Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. According to Department of Public Safety officials, Jonathon Scott Tutor, 18, was traveling southbound on FM 14, about five miles east of Lindale, at around 3:34 when his vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. Tutor was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

TYLER — TxDOT maintenance crews are performing pavement-texturing operations on Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) in and around the roadway’s intersections with Glenwood, Palace and Beckham. Gentry and Glenwood in that area will be closed from 8:30 this morning until noon. This follows yesterday’s closure from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

TYLER — The trial date for former Bullard police officer Steven Wayne Morris, 27, accused of sexual assault of a child, was rescheduled Monday due to a request for a continuance from Morris’ attorney. Morris’ case will go to trial June 20 at 10:00 at the Smith County Courthouse. If convicted of the second-degree felony, Morris could face 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Morris, of Jacksonville, was arrested by Texas Ranger Sgt. Brent Davis on Aug. 19, 2010. On Sept. 9, 2010, Morris was released from the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Morris was indicted on March 10, 2011. Morris allegedly had a year-long sexual relationship with a female student at Bullard High School, said Bullard Police Chief Gary Lewis. When the relationship began, the student was 15 years old, Lewis said. After seeing Morris’ phone records, Lewis terminated Morris, who had been employed by the Bullard Police Department for two years.

GREGG COUNTY — Amy Cowling, 33, died in the Gregg County jail of reported withdrawal symptoms from Methadone and Xanax, at the end of 2010. The incident forced the arrest of two jailers, the firing of three more, and the resignation of another. The Gregg County jail had a high jailer turnover rate of more than 40% of the 167 employees from that year.

According to the Texas Tribune: Starting in 2012, jails may be required to tell the state about their turnover rate every month. Cowling’s 2010 death led to the formation of a bill by Sen. Rodney Ellis (D – Houston), which would require the Commission on Jail Standards to monitor jail turnover rates, inmate deaths, escapes and inspection failures to figure out whether a jail is “at risk”.

TYLER — Smith County deputies arrest a Tyler man after a reported dispute Monday. It happened in the 13,000 block of Big Oak Bay Road in Tyler. According to Smith County officials, Garry Townsend, 51, who has had run-ins with the law before, had a disagreement with his father. Townsend reportedly had a rifle in his possession. Deputies say Townsend did not shoot or even point the rifle at anyone. He was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and family violence.

WASKOM – For the second time this month the Citizens National Bank in Waskom has been robbed. It was held up around 10:45 Monday morning. It was also robbed on May 6th.

Waskom ISD put all of their buildings on lock down for less than an hour yesterday when officials were dispatched to the bank in the 700 block of Texas Spur 156 in Waskom, according to Sandra Rodgers, the superintendent’s secretary.

FBI spokesman Mark White said Monday’s bank robber could be tied to several other robberies dating back to December. “The physical description and method the robber used was very similar to the person who robbed Citizens National Bank earlier this month, as well as seven or eight other robberies in Shreveport,” White said. “However, investigators are still looking to see if the robberies are connected or isolated.”

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named Dr. Ronald A. DeLap as its new dean of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, effective August 1. DeLap is the dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Economic Development at Lake Superior State University in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich. DeLap was selected following an extensive national search and the review of many excellent engineering leaders according to LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford.

“Ron has led innovative electrical engineering programs for the U.S. Air Force and is known as an effective classroom teacher who values creating hands-on learning experiences for students,” Lunsford said. “He has been a champion for increasing the number of women in the engineering profession and has experience working across cultures. As an engineering professional and as an educator, Ron understands the intersection of science and the Christian faith.”

DeLap is a retired officer with the U.S. Air Force, who began at the lowest enlisted rank with only a high school diploma, rising to the rank of Major and completing his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering. His 22-year career with the USAF included leading an ROTC detachment at UCLA and teaching electrical engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology. He has been recognized for his expertise in Space Based Radar Systems and has worked as a design engineer at the National Security Agency. Most recently he has been involved in “green energy” research, especially next-generation solar cell charging systems with the Energizer Corporation.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — Prosecutors and defense attorneys seated two more jurors Monday in the trial of a former warden’s wife who prosecutors say helped a convicted killer escape from jail after she fell in love with him. District Attorney John Wampler and defense attorney Garvin Isaacs said seven jurors had been picked by Monday afternoon. Jury selection in the case of Bobbi Parker resumed Tuesday morning. Wampler says he doubts a jury will be seated this week.

Parker is accused of helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994 and running away with him. Defense attorneys say Dial abducted Parker and held her captive until she was rescued at a Texas chicken ranch in Shelby County in 2005. Dial maintained until his 2007 death that he kidnapped Parker.

AUSTIN (AP) — For some Republicans in the Texas House, it’s becoming all about abortion, all the time. Conservative representatives tried to tack obscure anti-abortion measures onto important but otherwise unrelated legislation throughout the day Monday. Liberals countered with long-winded speeches, points of order and other clumsy delaying tactics. As legislators took up a fairly benign proposal creating health cooperatives for private insurance companies, Republican Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola proposed an amendment that would bar private insurers statewide from reimbursing patients for abortions once the federal health care act is implemented in Texas. Hughes was eventually forced to scrap that motion, and the House passed the bill Tuesday. Later, however, a bill modifying operation of the state judiciary passed with two amendments related to toughening rules on waiving parental consent for minors seeking to have abortion. Another measure failed to adopt.

WASKOM — FBI investigators on Monday morning were called to assist the Waskom Police Department after Citizens National Bank had their second reported bank robbery this month. Waskom ISD put all of their buildings on lock down for less than an hour after about 10:45 when officials were dispatched to the bank in the 700 block of Texas Spur 156 in Waskom, according to Sandra Rodgers, the superintendent’s secretary.

FBI spokesman Mark White said investigators were still on the scene at around 4 p.m. conducting interviews and canvassing the area to see if neighbors or area residents saw anything. White said it’s possible that Monday’s bank robber could be tied to several other robberies dating back to December. “The physical description and method the robber used was very similar to the person who robbed Citizens National Bank earlier this month, as well as seven or eight other robberies in Shreveport,” White said. “However, investigators are still looking to see if the robberies are connected or isolated.”

The bank was robbed May 6.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – Two men died when their sport utility vehicle veered off a rural road and slammed through an East Texas mobile home that had been vacated only two days before. The Texas Department of Public Safety report identifies the dead men as Zachtavius Demario Garrett, 30, and Jarome Ramon Murchison, 23. Both were wearing seat belts when they were found dead in the wreckage of their SUV early Monday just behind the mobile home they had crashed through. Neighbors reported they heard a crash about midnight Sunday. No other injuries were reported in the accident about five miles east of Nacogdoches. Mobile home owner Mary Lampin says the woman who had lived there had moved out and into a nursing home on Friday.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a burglar was caught in the act over the weekend. On Sunday, just before midnight, officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 2100 Block of Gilmer Road. When officers arrived they found a man leaving the building. According to a police report, officers stopped the man and he stated he worked for the business as a plumber. Officers also say they observed several power tools lying inside the suspect’s car. The man was identified as Dereck Alan Duvall 30, of Longview. The officers contacted the business owner. When the owner arrived on scene he told police that Duvall did not work for him. Duvall was arrested for burglary of a building, a state jail felony. Duvall was also arrested for four outstanding city warrants.

TYLER — Monday afternoon classes at Tyler Junior College’s Pirtle Technology Building were canceled for a while yesterday because of a gas leak. The building was back to normal by 5:00pm. Utility crews struck the gas line Monday morning. Faculty and staff evacuated the Pirtle building; about 150 people were inside. Officials say crews hit the gas line when they were attempting to replace an electrical line. There were no injuries.

KILGORE — The name of a woman killed Friday in a vehicle rollover has been released by the Department of Public Safety. Brittnie Bing, 23, of Kilgore was a passenger in a 2001 Chevy Metro that hit a culvert on U.S. Highway 259 south of East Danville Street in Kilgore and rolled. Two people were injured. Driver Wallace Maples, 48, and Jeanie Maples, 48, both of Kilgore are listed in stable condition at Good Shepherd Medical Center. He has a broken shoulder, and she has a leg injury, authorities said.

LONGVIEW — A Longview massage parlor, shut down back in February after a raid, is back open. The Secura Spa, located along the 2000 block of Gilmer Road, was shut down after an undercover raid revealed a couple of workers did not have a massage license. The owner was also arrested for operating a massage parlor without a license. Longview Police say the business is now in compliance.

MOUNT VERNON – Franklin County authorities are trying to identify a body found in a car that had been burned. A passing motorist saw the car Saturday morning off County Road 3170. Investigators feel the victim was killed elsewhere and the car was then driven to southern Franklin county location and set afire. The body has been sent to a lab for autopsy to help identify the victim and to help determine the cause of death.

MARSHALL – A young girl has drowned in a gold fish pond in Harrison County. Marshall police say they received the call shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning. They found the 17-month old girl’s body in about 25 inches of water in the pond next door to the house where her family was visiting. She was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall where she was later pronounced dead. Her name was not released.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation construction contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is scheduled to begin work Tuesday night on West Loop 323 between State Highway 155 and U.S. Highway 69 (South Broadway). Crews will be working to repair and resurface the Loop between the hours of 8:00pm and 5:00am Sunday-Thursday through mid-August. Part of the $1.4 million contract calls for repairing storm drain inlets in the same project area, which will require daytime work and overnight lane closures in those locations.

Also this week in Tyler, on the Union Pacific Railroad has rescheduled its plans to close Spur 164 in Tyler, also known as Greenbriar Road, for Tuesday. The road will be closed to all traffic between Spur 364 and State Highway 31 between 7:00am and 7:00pm while the railroad makes repairs to the crossing at that location. Detours will be posted.

Finally this week, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) in and around the roadway’s intersections with Glenwood, Palace and Beckham. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

KILGORE – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 259 Business in Kilgore between Lantrip Street to the south end of the US 259 Bypass. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Beginning Monday, Texas Department of Transportation contractor Barkley Commercial Construction is scheduled to make repairs to damaged bridge railings on the Farm Road 315 bridges over Lake Palestine just south of Chandler. The work is scheduled to last through the end of August. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2709 between Farm Road 316 in Eustace and State Highway 19 north of Athens. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, TxDOT’s District Wide Seal Coat program could begin work on roadways in Henderson County as early as Wednesday this week, weather permitting. Roads to be sealed include State Highway 31 in Trinidad, Farm Road 2892, and State Highway 19 north of Athens.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in Jacksonville at the intersection of SW Loop 456 and Farm Road 347 on Tuesday, followed by the same work on State Highway 135 and State Highway 110 in Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 287 south of State Highway 294 in Elkhart. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, TxDOT’s District Wide Seal Coat program is scheduled to continue its work in Anderson County in the following locations: On Farm Road 2961 between Farm Road 59 and Farm Road 837; and on State Highway 19 between Farm Road 321 in Montalba and the Henderson County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor Nixon Engineering is scheduled to begin repairs to the damaged bridge rail on the westbound U.S. Highway 80 bridge over Lake Fork Creek on Wednesday, June 1. The bridge was damaged on April 15. One lane will be closed at all times during the repair.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 3227 between State Highway 198 and Farm Road 47, and on Farm Road 857 just south of Grand Saline. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LANEVILLE – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1662 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and Farm Road 2753 in Anadarko. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — Tyler’s Historic Aviation Memorial Museum is stepping up to the plate on behalf of a long-neglected Vietnam War memorial. A number of citizens recently expressed concern over the memorial, which had been vandalized and fallen into disrepair while at Bergfeld Park. Now the memorial has been moved and is undergoing restoration, thanks largely to Tyler Granite. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” museum board chair Carolyn Verver says the memorial will soon have a very nice new home in the museum’s Memorial Courtyard. Verver says the courtyard features beautiful “knockout” roses and a brick patio — adding that individuals can purchase personalized bricks for the patio as a fundraiser. Verver hopes the war memorial project can be completed by later in the spring or early summer.

You can go to http://www.tylerhamm.org to learn more about the war memorial project and the museum. You also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday morning.

PALESTINE — 73-year-old retiree Luther T. Harper of Palestine is dead following a one-vehicle accident that occurred around 1:30 Saturday afternoon in Anderson County. A DPS report says Harper was westbound on FM 1137 near Palestine, 7/10 of a mile north of U.S. Highway 84. Authorities say Harper left the roadway, overcorrected, and struck several trees. He was taken to Palestine Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. Saturday. The DPS report says road conditions were clear and dry, and Harper was not wearing a seat belt.