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TYLER – A 26-year-old Athens man has been sentenced to prison for federal firearms violations. Paul Ray Jackson pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2010, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced Thursday in Tyler to 100 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 28, 2008, an Athens police officer attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Jackson for speeding. Jackson refused to stop and led the officer, and ultimately several additional patrol units, on a high speed chase before being stopped by a DPS spike strip in Kaufman. Jackson then fled the scene on foot. A search of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded .22 caliber pistol.

Not long after Jackson fled the scene, he was arrested by Kaufman County Sheriff’s deputies on marijuana charges. A review of police video footage of the car chase enabled officers to positively identify Jackson as the perpetrator in both incidents. On Dec. 2, 2008, Jackson voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Athens Police Department and confessed to being the driver of the car in the Nov. 28, 2008 incident. Further investigation revealed Jackson was a convicted felon having been previously found guilty of possession of marijuana in 2007 in Parker County, Texas. As a convicted felon, Jackson is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

Authorities say, “This conviction is yet another important outcome from Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national priority of the United States Department of Justice. PSN is designed as a partnership between federal and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun-related crime through the vigorous enforcement of the criminal provisions of the federal firearms laws.”

TYLER– After one Florida pastor said his church will burn copies of the Koran on Saturday, religious leaders in East Texas have been working even harder to build relationships with one another. Wednesday, we spoke with Christian pastors in our community who say burning the Koran isn’t showing the love of God.

Imam Faisal is a Muslim leader in Tyler, and he says burning the Koran is burning down bridges between Muslims and Christians. He says, “I wish he (the Florida pastor) could learn a little about what the Koran teaches about being kind to our neighbors and being friends with Christians and Jews.” According to KETK, Rabbi Neal Katz says the Muslim community should be offended. He says, “Burning the Koran is like burning the New Testament or Torah.” The religious leaders’ comments came before Pastor Terry Jones’s announcement that he has called off the Koran burning. We’ll have more details on that as the story develops.

LINDALE – A car crashed into a wall at a local business in Lindale on Wednesday. According to KETK, police officials say the driver accidentally pressed the wrong pedal and took out a portion of a wall at the Lindale Cleaners. The damage to the business is minimal. Nobody was hurt in the accident.

TYLER — PATH officials today are putting a special emphasis on the PATH Week Prayer Luncheon. Executive Director Christina Fulsom is encouraging everyone to make a reservation for the free event. It’s to be held on Tuesday, September 14th, at noon, at Tyler’s all-new Green Acres CrossWalk Conference Center. A number of speakers are on the docket, and the event will also feature presentation of PATH’s Faith in Action Award and Community in Action Award. For a reservation, or more information, you can call Mitzie at 903-597-4044, ext. 125. You can also log onto to http://www.pathhelps.org for more information on the luncheon, other PATH Week activities, and PATH in general.

EAST TEXAS– The recent rain isn’t enough to lift burn bans across some East Texas counties. Even though temperatures have dropped, officials say it’s still too dry. They also say the threat of wildfires is still in existence. According to KETK, Burn bans remain in effect in Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, and Panola counties.

TYLER — An agency that helps Tyler-area families receives a check for $2,500 from Bank of America. The money, given Wednesday to Tyler Rescue Ministries, follows a $2,500 donation last week from Cavender’s Boot City in Tyler. Founder/CEO Maurice Barnes says the funds are for the agency’s Catch the Vision…Save a Family expansion campaign. According to Barnes, “This expansion when complete will allow us to provide assistance to intact families. This is an area of great need as there were 453 homes lost to foreclosure in Tyler and Smith County in 2009. That is potentially 1600 – 1800 people facing homelessness.”

Barnes adds, “We will be the only agency that will allow the intact family remain together in northeast Texas. Currently we are only providing assistance to single women and women with children at our Kathryn’s House facility. Everyone is invited to help.” You can log on to http://www.tylerrescueministries.org for more information about Tyler Rescue Ministries.

TYLER — The Mineola child sex ring case is back in a Smith County courtroom. Patrick Kelly’s attorney filed another motion saying Judge Jack Skeen is not fit to hear the case. It was a bail hearing for Kelly, who’s on trial for his alleged involvement in the 2007 “Mineola Swingers Club”. The allegation is Kelly forced children to perform sex acts in front of an audience. His original conviction was thrown out. According to KETK, Kelly’s attorney is challenging a regional attorney’s decision to keep Skeen on the case.

JACKSONVILLE — Authorities credit Jacksonville Middle School students and local police with quick response in an incident that caused some concern following football practice Tuesday afternoon. School officials say several students witnessed a student in possession of what was perceived to be a gun and was later determined to be a cigarette lighter that was shaped like a gun. According to a school district news release, students reacted promptly and alerted the coaching staff of the incident. Officials say coaches took immediate action by contacting the Jacksonville Police Department. The cigarette lighter was immediately secured.

The news release says, “JISD administration appreciates the quick action and dedication of the Jacksonville Police Department in doing their part to keep our students safe. For the safety and security of the Jacksonville ISD students and staff, we take any perceived threats seriously. JISD prides itself in creating a safe learning environment and any incident that threatens that environment is handled firmly and promptly.”

LONGVIEW — Longview Firefighters answer the call for help at structure fire at the Parkway Garden Apartments on McCann Road. According to KETK, the fire was caused by a skillet left on the cook top which resulted in fire spreading to the cabinets and ceiling of the apartment. The apartment had smoke damage throughout; the smoke entered 3 other adjoining apartments. The fire caused approximately $5,000.00 in damages. There were no injuries.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has arrested 50-year-old Jerdene Boyd of Tyler for intoxication manslaughter in a fatal September 2 crash. Bond was set at $250,000 by Judge Jack Skeen. Police say investigators received lab results back from East Texas Medical Center that indicated Boyd tested positive for the presence of cocaine, cannabinoids, and opiates in her system.

Officials say a Nissan driven by Boyd crashed into the rear of a White Toyota Camry that was sitting in the outside traffic lane, waiting for the light to change at South Broadway and Heritage. The driver of the Toyota was deceased in the overturned vehicle when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The driver was a 55 year old man from Plano.

Police say before the crash occurred, a Tyler Patrol Officer was conducting radar enforcement on Highway 69 South and checked Boyd’s speed at 71 mph on radar. According to police, Boyd was observed driving in a reckless manner through heavy traffic and wet road conditions prior to the crash. Police say the officer was unable to catch up to Boyd to conduct a traffic stop due to speed, distance, traffic and weather conditions.

Investigators tested the vehicle driven by Boyd for any mechanical malfunctions in the brake system. The inspector found no indication of any brake failure. According to authorities, investigators also determined that Boyd has never been issued a Texas Drivers License and had no insurance. Boyd was arrested Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., transported to the Smith County Jail, and processed.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – With Tyler’s Leo Berman already in the running, a second conservative legislator is mulling a challenge to moderate Texas House Speaker Joe Straus. That raises the specter of a Republican leadership battle as lawmakers grapple with a huge budget shortfall early next year. State Rep. Warren Chisum told The Associated Press Tuesday that he would decide before the November elections whether to mount a challenge to the top House leader. Chisum is a Republican from Pampa. Berman earlier announced his decision to run against Straus when lawmakers return to Austin in January.

TYLER — September is Firefighter Appreciation Month, and throughout the period, Carter BloodCare offers the community an opportunity to say thank you to firefighters through blood donation. Donors will be given the opportunity in September to donate the Life Plan credit they receive for donating blood to the fire department of their choice. Those Life Plan credits can then be used, within the year, by that fire department to assist should anyone from their department need blood or blood product. Blood drives will be hosted at the Tyler Donor Center as well as at several Smith County fire stations throughout the month.

A press conference was held Tuesday at Carter BloodCare’s Tyler Donor Center to kick off the month-long campaign. In attendance were Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, Tyler Fire Chief Neil Franklin, Carter BloodCare staff, and Fire Chiefs from surrounding fire departments.

According to press information, the Carter BloodCare Life Plan assures blood donors that they will receive financial assistance toward uninsured blood product fees if they or their immediate family members require blood transfusions within 12 months of their donation. The Individual and Family Life Plan offers up to $1000 credit toward uninsured blood product fees for the donor and the donor’s tax dependents. The Group Life Plan allows donors to donate an individual credit to a group of their choosing, while still maintaining their Individual Plan. That donor group receives a $10 credit, valid for one year for every registered donor. The donor group can then assign those credits as necessary to those within the group who need them to assist with the cost of used uninsured blood product. You can visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org for more information about Carter BloodCare.

TYLER – The 20th annual Pantry Raid competition between Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High School students is underway. For two decades, the students at each school have had a friendly competition to feed hungry East Texans. The students collect food during Pantry Raid for the East Texas Food Bank. The school that collects the most food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school.

In the past 19 years, the students have collected over 862,000 pounds of food. The Pantry Raid results will be announced at the Robert E. Lee and John Tyler football game on Friday at the beginning of halftime. “We are so thankful to the students who have continued the tradition of taking action against hunger in our community,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “The food collected by the students will be given to children, families and seniors who are struggling to put food on their tables.”

TYLER — Police in Tyler are encouraging residents to sign up for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 12th , 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. Last year the City of Tyler had approximately 90 block parties throughout the City to promote the program, and they’re hoping for a similar number, or more, this year. Community Response Officer James McCraw says he hopes you’ll sign up as soon as possible so police can start establishing their list of parties. You can register online at http://www.tylerpolice.com or call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096.

Police say the T.A.C. program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. T.A.C. encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime. McCraw says he knows things like buying food for a block party can pose a financial burden. He says one answer is just to keep your party simple — perhaps nothing more than a small gathering on the street.

Police say T.A.C. promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. According to police, the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. Police add that getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville couple are riding their horses — all the way to El Paso. Bob and Sharon Slayden will stay in the saddle though the end of the month as they trek 764 miles on their quarter horses to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. Sharon says this is personal, noting, “My mom died of pancreatic cancer; I have a sister-in-law right now who’s going through brain cancer; and my husband’s mother and daddy died of cancer.” According to Sharon, research is so fantastic today “that a lot of people are getting healed and they’re ‘getting more birthdays,’ as we call it. You know, we’re susceptible to it, because genetically, it moves forward in the family. So we have to know this, and we have to let people know about it — that they can be helped.”

Sharon says she and Bob are covering 25 to 30 miles a day. This is their second such ride; last year they raised a little more than $3,000, and Sharon thinks they’ll do better this year.

TYLER — A man dies in a fall from a tree in Tyler. Police say on Monday at about 12:30 p.m., an accidental injury was reported to Tyler Police Department Dispatchers. According to authorities, a man had been trimming a tree in the 1300 block of South Kennedy Ave. and had fallen from the tree — a distance of approximately fifty feet to the ground.

A witness had observed the accident and called the Tyler Police Department. An ambulance and a Tyler Fire Department first responder unit were dispatched to aid the victim. They prepared the victim for transport to East Texas Medical Center, and he was immediately transported. Shortly after his arrival at the hospital he was pronounced dead from his injuries. An investigation and inquest were conducted, and the case was closed as an accidental injury. Next of kin were notified at the hospital. The victim is identified as 48-year-old Gabino Torrescano of Tyler.

DALLAS – Seven Tyler stores were awarded top honors this month as ShopAcrossTexas.com released its annual Best Stores in Town list. The complete list will be released to the public throughout the coming weeks via ShopAcrossTexas.com. The Tyler stores that made the list are Spinout, Bridgette’s, Haute Totz, Mary V’s, Harley’s Suit Club, Ye Olde Flea Market & Antique Mall and London Shoppe Antiques. The list was determined through a six-week survey conducted on ShopAcrossTexas.com, in which readers voted for their favorite retail across the Lone Star state. You can log onto http://www.ShopAcrossTexas.com to read comments about the stores.

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White drops by the Smith County Central Labor Council’s Labor Day Picnic at Tyler’s Lindsey Park. White says Labor Day’s a time to “give thanks” that there are “people who work long hard hours that have moved our country forward in so many ways.” White also said there’s been great response to his border security plan — a thousand new police officers and deputy sheriffs all along the border. White says that presence will send a clear signal to gang members and narco traffickers that things won’t be safe for them if they cross that river.”

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department arrested five people during the beginning of a Labor Day weekend crackdown on drunken driving. The department is one of the law enforcement agencies across North Texas that are participating in the “no refusal” initiative that began at 6 p.m. Friday and ends Tuesday. If a DWI suspect refuses to provide a breath or blood sample, officials will get a warrant for a blood sample.

A first-offense DWI can result in a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and driver’s license suspension for a year, police said. Arrested Friday night or early Saturday morning were:

Luis Corona, 17, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $1,000 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated.

Terese Hembrough, 47, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $2,500 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense.

Anthony Ponce, 23, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $2,500 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense.

Michael Taylor, 51, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday, charged with driving while intoxicated and with eight outstanding warrants. Bond has not been set.

Teresa Worthington, 40, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $1,000 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated.

According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview police said 208 wrecks since January were caused by drunken drivers.

KEMAH (AP) — A Lufkin motorcyclist died after a brief chase with police. The Houston Chronicle reports that Joshuah Cavins, 27, was thrown from his bike early Saturday in Kemah.

A news release says that Kemah officers saw two motorcycle riders run a red light just after midnight. When officers initiated a traffic stop on both bikes, one motorcyclist complied, but Cavins fled.

After a pursuit, officers lost sight of him. A short time later, his wrecked cycle was found in a ditch. Cavins was found unconscious about 75 feet from the mangled bike and later died from his injuries. The investigation continues.

AUSTIN — Smith County is one of 10 in Texas to be honored by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Leadership Foundation during TAC’s annual conference in Austin.

The programs were selected to receive high honors for innovation, achievement and delivery of service in the 2010 County Best Practice Awards, which recognize county initiatives that serve as a model to others and save taxpayer monies.

“These tough economic times necessitate that counties be pro-active and creative in providing services that improve their communities while, at the same time, saving taxpayer money,” said Kaufman County Judge Wayne Gent, chair of the foundation. “These county programs are doing just that, and we are proud to honor them for their achievements.”

Smith County was honored for Achievement for its Compensatory Time Management Program, which was organized to reduce the ever-increasing and costly payout and accrual of employee-earned compensatory time. The program has helped the sheriff’s department reduce its compensatory time by more than 48%.

“We are very proud of the leadership in our Sheriff’s Office and Auditor’s Department. They stepped up and thought outside the box to reduce our accumulated comp time and ultimately save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the County,” said Comp Time Committee Member and Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton.

The photo shows the Smith County contingent accepting the Texas Association of Counties Best Practice Award. Shown in the photo, left to right, Smith County Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, Sheriff J.B. Smith, Auditor Ann Wilson, County Judge Joel Baker and Assistant Auditor Kalisha Boyd.

GILMER – A young Hopkins County second grader has been released from a Dallas hospital after he was hit by a pickup as he had left a school bus. The accident happened shortly after 3:15 Friday afternoon on Highway 11 east at County Road 2331 east of Como-Pickton.

State Trooper Jean Dark says the initial investigation shows the 7 year old boy had exited the bus and was standing on the shoulder of the road. The bus was unloading at the time of the incident with several vehicles stopped behind it. A pickup truck driven by a lone sixteen-year-old male driver came upon the group of stopped vehicles and had to take evasive action to the right to avoid colliding with one of the vehicles. The teen drove the pickup on the shoulder of the road and hit the child. There were no other injuries reported and the school bus was not struck by the pickup.

GILMER -– Upshur County’s chief juvenile probation officer and two former officers were arrested and released Friday on forgery of government documents charges, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said. Juvenile Chief Milton Wylie, 59, and former officers Sandra Edwards, 48, and Lorie Davidson, 43, were indicted by a grand jury after a March investigation in response to allegations made by employees, Byrd said.

The county’s juvenile board asked Byrd to contact Texas Rangers about the allegations, and the investigation began, he said. The juvenile board consists of County Judge Dean Fowler and District Judge Lauren Parrish, with Fowler serving as chairman. The Texas Rangers submitted findings to Byrd that lad to the forgery charges, Byrd said. “The charges against all three involve different documents and different time periods,” Byrd said.

“Chief Wylie has served our county and juvenile probation department for many years,” Byrd said. “He is liked and respected by many, including myself. This is a difficult situation. However, we will see that justice is accomplished and that the requirements of our duties are met.”

TYLER – Anyone who drives on Tyler’s Loop 323 can tell you how congested it can be. Now, a portion of the loop has made TxDOT’s list of the 100 most congested roads in the state. The section of the loop from South Broadway to University Boulevard ranks 54th on the list. TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz tells KETK-TV “We’re actually outgrowing our transportation infrastructure.” Officials are encouraging drivers to use alternate routes, like the Grande extension. Krantz says they hope to be off of the list next year. Until then, he says they will try to work with the city and county to extend other roads in the city.

TYLER – A Tyler woman is free on bond following the wreck that injured her and killed the driver of the other car. Jerdene Boyd, 50, was arrested for possession of marijuana and an out-standing warrant out of Smith County. She also is facing charges in the accident after completion of the investigation.

The accident happened shortly after 1:15 Thursday in the 7600 block of S. Broadway at the intersection of Heritage. According to police spokesman Don Martin, a Tyler officer clocked Boyd’s dark green, Nissan Sentra, traveling north bound on South Broadway at a high rate of speed. The officer pulled out and attempted to catch up with the speeding vehicle. The officer observed the Nissan passing other vehicles on the right shoulder near the intersection of South Broadway and Cumberland. The Nissan continued to travel northbound and the officer determined that he would not be able to catch it and halted the pursuit.

The Nissan continued North to the intersection of Heritage and South Broadway where it crashed into the rear of a white, Toyota Camry that was sitting in the outside traffic lane, waiting for the light to change at Heritage. The driver of the Toyota was dead in the over turned vehicle when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The driver was a Robert Dane Bass, 55, from Plano. Bass was a Tyler native and a 1973 graduate of Robert E Lee High School.

EAST TEXAS — The cities of Alba and Mineola are looking at becoming wet. According to KETK, residents are currently collecting signatures to gain support on the issue. Mineola would need to obtain 349 signatures and Alba would need 35 from eligible voters in order to call an election. The alcohol store nearest to Mineola is in Big Sandy, while Alba residents travel to Tawakoni.

TYLER — Texas Tea Partiers, including here in East Texas, are not happy with the National Republican Senatorial Committee — or its chairman, Sen. John Cornyn. According to KETK, Tea Partiers are gathering across Texas outside all of Cornyn’s offices; dozens protested outside his office in Tyler. Cornyn is accused of trying to help incumbent Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski get elected. Murkowski has conceded the election to Tea Party candidate Joe Miller. One area Tea Partier says, “This is about the fourth time our Sen. Cornyn has gotten involved in trying to assist a ‘rhino’ (‘Republican in Name Only’) Republican to get elected.” Cornyn and the NRSC say they’re weren’t trying to pick their own primary candidate — that it’s all a misunderstanding. They claim the only people who decided this election were the voters of Alaska — “as it should be.”

LONGVIEW — The search for the next City of Longview Fire Chief has been narrowed to three candidates. The finalists are James Craft of Plano; Frank Edwards of Pensacola, Florida; and J.P. Steelman of Longview. The finalists are scheduled to receive a tour of Longview on Wednesday, September 8. Interviews with City Manager David Willard will take place on Thursday, September 9. Also on Thursday afternoon, a reception will be held to allow the finalists to meet Longview Fire Department employees, directors of other City departments, and members of City Council.

The City of Longview utilized Strategic Government Resources, Inc. (SGR) to help with the initial search process. The City of Longview will conduct the interviews of the top candidates. As with all of the City’s director-level positions, the City Manager is responsible for selecting the final candidate, which is subject to approval by City Council. No date has been set for when a final decision will be made.

LONGVIEW — Longview fire officials are concerned about a blaze that flared up around 11:24 a.m. on Thursday. That’s when the Longview Fire Department responded to 1830 Timpson St. Fortunately for the occupant, authorities say, the fire damage was limited to the area of the cause of ignition. The fire was contained before spreading to other areas or structural components within the residence. The cause of the fire was the use of two orange extension cords plugged into a power strip providing AC power to a window air conditioning unit.

Officials are specifically concerned that this is the same cause determined in the fire at 1707 Timpson St. on August 18, which resulted in a civilian injury and total loss of structure and contents. Firefighters note, “These types of fires are preventable by not using unapproved lightweight extension cords as a substitution to permanent wiring. The appropriate installation of the correct breaker, wiring and receptacle can prevent this type of fire.”

BULLARD – After a water main break earlier this week, a boil water notice has been lifted for the City of Bullard. KETK reports that according to David Hortman, Director of Public Works for the city, the water is now safe to drink without boiling.