TYLER — The countdown begins to the 77th Texas Rose Festival, October 14-16. At a celebration over the weekend, festival organizers thanked the corporate sponsors and 800-plus volunteers. It’s been a summer of dress rehearsals and other preparations, and Rose Queen Mary-Lawson Bracken Walden told what she’s liked the most about it all. She cited “getting to learn more about my heritage in Tyler and just learning more about the community and being able to help out.” That said, all the work has kept Mary-Lawson plenty busy. She remarks, “When I got asked and I accepted, I was very excited, and I knew it was gonna be a lot, but it’s a lot more than a lot — but it’s fun.”
The festival theme is “Tapestry of Blessings.” Tickets to various festival events will be available to the general public September 1, and a donation lets you place an advance ticket order starting in August. For more ticket information, call (903) 597-3130, ext. 11. You can also go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.
TYLER (AP/STAFF) A Smith County jury has convicted and delivered a life sentence against a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club that used children as performers. The panel decided within a half hour Thursday that Dennis Pittman, 47, will serve at least 15 years of his prison sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Pittman had been found guilty earlier in the day of engaging in organized criminal activity. The jury deliberated about 1½ hours before convicting Pittman, who was the fourth of six defendants to be tried in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. Pittman’s defense will file a motion for a new trial. In June, an appeals court overturned convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.
KILGORE — A powered wheelchair is reportedly stolen from a Vietnam Veteran at Brookshires in Kilgore. According to KETK, Fred Niles says he went into the store for about an hour and when he came back, his handicap walker was gone. Security tapes show a man in his 50’s swapped the stores power chair with Niles’, then loading it into an SUV. 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP/Staff) – Cast iron pipe manufacturer McWane Inc. has agreed to pay $4 million in civil penalties and spend $9.1 million to protect communities near its plants in 14 states in a settlement with federal environmental regulators. McWane is the parent company of Tyler Pipe. The Environmental Protection Agency said the settlement with Alabama’s McWane resolves more than 400 violations of air and water quality standards at 28 plants. The EPA statement Wednesday said McWane already has spent more than $7.6 million on corrective measures. The company previously paid more than $25 million in criminal fines and penalties for environmental violations. In Birmingham, McWane President Ruffner Page Jr. said the settlement marks the beginning of the final chapter in its effort to be in full compliance with environmental standards.
AUSTIN — Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. Among the changes announced Wednesday, State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler was named chairman of the Administration Committee, and Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville was named chairman of the Nominations Committee. 
TYLER — Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson is recovering at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital following emergency brain surgery. Jimerson had been complaining of headaches for about a week. After the emergency room staff at Henderson’s East Texas Medical Center found swelling in his brain, Jimerson was rushed to Tyler for Wednesday’s surgery. According to a news release, he is expected to make a full recovery. 
TEXARKANA (AP) — Texas prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty for a woman accused of starving and beating her 13-year-old adopted son to death last year. Cass County District Attorney Clint Allen said Tuesday there was a great deal of deliberation before the decision was made to take the punishment off the table in the case of Cynthia Hudson, of Queen City.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Partnership received five First Place Awards in a statewide Festival and Events competition held by the Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA). The Longview Partnership received 1st Place for the Best Event Program, Best TV Promotion, and Best Event Invitation for the East TX Boat, RV, & Camping Expo in the $75,000 and under budget category. AlleyFest also brought home two 1st Place Awards for Best TV Promotion and Best Outdoor Billboard in the $75,000 – $250,000 budget category.
TYLER — Tyler Police and FBI investigators are investigating a robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank located at 6910 South Broadway. It happened just before 12:45 yesterday afternoon. Bank employees stated that a white male in his sixties to early seventies walked up to a teller inside the bank and handed the employee a note. The note advised the teller that it was a bank robbery, that the teller should give him the cash, and that he had a gun inside his bag. The suspect did not display a weapon during the course of the robbery. The teller complied with his demand and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank and left in an unknown direction.