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LONGVIEW — Officials with the Longview Economic Development Corporation say LEDCO has been busy the last several months. According to press materials, they have 39 prospect projects open and are getting inquiries every week. 25 Longview companies are now using the WorkKeys program. LEDCO is helping the Workforce Solutions Center get new equipment so more job seekers can take the WorkKeys Assessment at the same time. You can log on to http://longviewusa.com/workkeys for more information. Also, the North Business Park is open and ready for business — and LEDCO’s Buy Local program has expanded to include “I Shop Longview” to encourage people to spend locally. Officials say bringing just 5% of out-of-area spending back to Longview can have an impact of $225 million on the local economy.

The LEDCO board of directors voted Wednesday to make Susan Mazarakes, CEcD, the executive director. Mazarakes began work at LEDCO in 2002 and has worked in several areas including workforce development, business retention, business attraction and retail development. She has been serving as interim executive director since December. Go to http://longviewusa.com/ to learn more.

LONGVIEW — Visitors from far and wide spent much of the weekend enjoying the Great Texas Balloon Race at Gregg County’s East Texas Regional Airport. Balloon flights began on Friday morning with a flight over the City of Longview. The various other activities included the popular balloon glows, which entertained crowds Friday and Saturday night. Organizers call the balloon race a world class event attracting the very best competitive pilots from across the United States and the world.

ATHENS – A Henderson County woman’s disappearance is turning into a possible murder investigation according to KETK. Friday, Henderson County authorities arrested 46 year-old Avery Lee Denton in connection with 50-year-old Sandra Gail Anderson’s disappearance. He’s charged with tampering with evidence. Officials say they found what they believe to be Ms. Anderson’s burned remains at Denton’s house. The possible remains are being sent for testing.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say five local retailers have been cited for selling alcohol to minors. On July 24, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Longview Partners in Prevention, conducted off-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. 33 different alcohol retailers were checked by the undercover team, and five of them allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minors. The locations cited were:

1. 3607 S. Eastman Road – DC Shamrock
2. 1929 Hwy 80 East – Tiger Mart of Longview
3. 701 S. Eastman Road – Kwick Food Mart
4. 1001 Young Street – Cowboy’s # 13
5. 701 W. Marshall Avenue – Kroger # 959

At these locations, the individuals who allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minor were listed in offense reports for “making alcohol available to a minor.” This offense is a class A misdemeanor, and the reports will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued administrative citations to each business.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities make two arrests in a recent burglary — in which the stolen items landed in a pawn shop. On the 13th of July, burglary was reported at a residence on VZCR #3104 in Edgewood. The same day, according to authorities, several items belonging to the victim were pawned at a local pawn shop by suspects Thomas Brown and Shelly Izzo. Authorities say the complainant purchased the property back from the pawn shop rather than have a property hearing. Felony warrants were obtained on Brown and Izzo by the Sheriff’s Office.

On the 30th of July, Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Deputies arrested both suspects at the Adult Probation Office in Canton after being contacted by one of the probation officers. Both suspects were interviewed, and the investigation continues. Officials say the cases will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for filing.

LINDALE — More recognition for the Lindale Independent School District. On Friday, the Texas Education Agency released its 2010 accountability ratings. Lindale ISD was rated Exemplary, the highest accountability rating. Lindale Junior High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School, and Lindale Primary school were also rated Exemplary. Lindale High School received a rating of Recognized.

Districts and schools are rated based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). For the first time, the accountability rating also included student performance results in reading and math for TAKS Accommodated, a standardized test for special education students. A school district’s dropout and completion rates are also factors in the accountability rating. Rates for the 2008-2009 school year are examined and LISD had no dropouts during that school year.

“I am so excited that our district achieved an Exemplary rating,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “Our community is buzzing about this great achievement from our students and teachers. The teachers, principals and staff should be commended for their dedication to our students and the leadership they have shown in the classroom. Their hard work and efforts have certainly paid off. I am so proud of the entire district. LISD is certainly an Exemplary district in every way.”

CRAFT — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. According to KETK, the area included in this boil water notice is from the intersection of Highway 69 South and FM 22 (Craft), going south on Highway 69 – all county roads off 69 South up to Seven Mile Hill, including the last half mile of CR 1514.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Office Manager, at 903-586-9301.

TYLER — For the past several weeks, Tyler PD and several surrounding Police agencies have been working a vehicle theft/fraud ring involving several black and white suspects. The suspects are buying vehicles from individuals with fictitious cashier’s checks. The checks are drawn on different banks, and police say they appear to be legitimate cashier’s checks. The suspects are using multiple names, and after buying the vehicles and receiving the titles, they take the vehicles to other towns/cities in Texas. They then sell the vehicles for cash by assuming the identity of the person they bought the vehicle from. Police say these suspects are creating fictitious paper Texas drivers licenses in whatever names they need.

Tyler Police Investigators warn citizens if they are selling a vehicle and the buyer wants to pay with a cashier’s check, be aware of this scam and verify funds with your bank before releasing the title. Any further questions can be directed to Detective Gary King with the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force at 903-593-6090.

TYLER — Three suspects are now in custody following an attempted robbery and shooting and authorities are searching for a fourth. The incident took place July 19 at a residence at 3312 Garden Valley. Kentrell Jennings, 19, Cortnie Hubbard, 23 and Brandon Caddell, 27 all of Tyler, have been booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery. Hubbard has also been charged with possession of cocaine and criminal trespass. Tyler Police say information from a Crime-Stoppers tip led to the identity of the suspects. The fourth suspect, who has not been located, was identified as Mandisa Jones, 18, Tyler. Jones is also wanted for Aggravated Robbery. If you have any information on her whereabouts please contact Tyler Police or Crime-Stoppers.

Authorities say on the night of June 19th, the resident answered her front door when one of the suspects showed a gun and attempt to come into the house. A male resident had retrieved his own hand gun and immediately kicked the door into one of the suspects. Shots were exchanged between the suspects and the male resident resulting in a minor gunshot wound to the female resident.

TYLER (AP) — An 83-year-old east Texas woman is recovering after being attacked by a pit bull mix authorities say may have been used in illegal dog fighting. Glynda Hulsey and her two dogs were attacked as she walked to her mailbox in Smith County last week. She made it back to her house, with the dog following, and her husband shot the dog. She said she had more than 50 stitches and is still using a wheelchair. Her dogs have recovered.

Smith County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Middleton says they’re investigating. He says dog fighting occurs in the county, but the locations move around. He says, “We have to find the location while the fights are going on to catch them.” He says animal control officers are catching pit bull mixes each day.

LUFKIN — Authorities in Lufkin are searching for a man involved in a robbery. Police say it happened at the Rent First Store off of South Timberland Dr. According to KETK, officers say a man with a gun stole some cash from the register, merchandise and a car.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police say crimestoppers tips helped identify a man and woman caught on tape at an optometrist’s office stealing glasses. According to KETK, security footage from the July 18th theft showed the couple browsing the eyeglasses and walking out with them. Police say they targeted the more expensive brands doing little to conceal their actions from the staff or customers. Authorities say the couple stole at least 11 pairs of frames with no lenses.

TYLER — The lawyer for Byron Truvia, 17, files a brief with the Texas Supreme Court. The brief states a trial court made a mistake in refusing to allow the teen to have a complete health study. Under Texas law, a juvenile is required to have a complete mental evaluation. According to KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s office says, if Truvia didn’t get the required evaluation, his conviction could be overturned in adult court. Truvia is accused of fatally stabbing John Tyler teacher, Todd Henry, back in September.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees passed proposals Thursday to vote on raising taxes. President Mike Metke says last year, it was becoming difficult to run the college because of maintenance problems. He says they had to do something. The board then passed maintenance tax notes. Those are to be paid off starting in 2011. With the $26 million tax notes, they rebuilt and repaired infrastructure around the campus. In August, the board will vote on raising taxes to pay this off, along with taxes to help with their sagging budget.

Recenlty, the campus cut $1.5 million in their budget. But Metke says, the maintenance tax and budget tax money has to be kept separate. He says, “‘By law, that money (maintenance tax money) is only to make those emergency repairs needed. If we didn’t use it for that purpose, we’d have to return it–and we’ve actually spent almost all of it already.” The Chief Financial Officer says if the maintenance tax passes, it would be an average of a $3.46 increase per household a month. If the budget tax passes, it’ll be an extra $1.46 a month.

According to KETK, two public hearings will be held August 12th and 19th.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Smith County officials say Whitehouse police have charged Kimberly Cargill with capital murder. According to KETK, Cargill is charged with the murder of 29-year-old Cherry Dianne Walker, a mentally challenged woman. Walker’s body was found in June off County Road 2191. Officials say Walker was murdered one day after she was issued a subpoena to testify in a custody hearing regarding Cargill’s 4-year-old son. Cargill’s bond is set at $1 million. The 43-year-old is also charged with injury to a child. That charge comes with a $500,000 bond. Cargill’s attorney declined to comment to The Associated Press.