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FORT WORTH (AP) — A renowned classical pianist from Texas is returning to Russia where his 1958 victory at a prestigious competition gained him international fame. Van Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore, will be an honorary chairman for the piano part of the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow. The Van Cliburn Foundation on Tuesday announced his trip for the contest ending next week.

Cliburn won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition at the height of the Cold War. He says this is the first time he has returned to the competition, although he’s visited Russia several times through the years.

He’s involved with but doesn’t select winners of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. That competition is held every four years in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, most recently in 2009. Prizes include national concert tours for winners.

MT. ENTERPRISE — Rusk County officials have identified the victims of a fatal fire as April Nicole Yarbrough, 25, Zi’quaven Ke’onta Yarbrough, 7, and Tyrell Deshawn Dixon, 3. Mt. Enterprise firefighters received a call for help at around 6:30 yesterday morning. According to Rusk County spokeswoman Vicky Penny, April Yarbrough’s mother left the house for work at 3:30. Later, her brother saw smoke rising from the house while he was helping a friend that was out of gas. He rushed to the house and knocked on the window. When no one answered, he kicked in the door and saw the inside of the house fully engulfed by fire.

According to Rusk County Fire Officials the fire broke out on County Road 3175 off of Farm Road 95 near Mt. Enterprise. The fire was contained shortly after 9:30. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death for the victims, and a fire marshal is trying to determine the cause of the fire.

TYLER — For the second consecutive year, the Tyler ISD Foundation has received the Golden Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The Foundation’s entry, “Education Foundations: Fulfilling the Need for Sophisticated Training,” contained presentation materials from Larry Goddard, Executive Director, for the past academic year. Goddard’s presentations on the advancement of education foundations, leveraging positive community awareness for your school district and other subjects were evaluated by a team of nationwide judges in public relations. Goddard remarked, “Positive community relations, clear and concise communications, and a high level of professionalism and sophistication are the requirements in today’s world of school communications; we are proud that as a public charity, we can serve our donors and support our district in a positive manner.”

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — Texas tea party activists are praising Governor Rick Perry’s addition of a pat-down bill to the special legislative session agenda. For Wesley Strackbein, the founder of the web site tsatyranny.com, the issue isn’t just pat downs at the airport. He says it’s also a way to fight back against a federal government that thinks it can do anything it wants to its citizens. According to Strackbein, “We’re confirming the rule of law and say that they must be shackled, to quote Thomas Jefferson, ‘shackled to the chains of the constitution.'”

The legislation would ban “intrusive” airport security screenings. Representative David Simpson of Longview (pictured) sponsored a bill in the House last month that would make it a criminal offense for officials conducting traveler pat-downs to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing. The measure died in the Senate after a threat from federal officials to close airports if it were approved. Simpson sent a letter to Perry on Sunday urging him to defend the “privacy, dignity, and constitutional rights of our citizens.” Lawmakers can only take up measures Perry adds to a special-session call. Perry announced the decision Monday night.

TYLER — Local officials are upbeat after Governor Rick Perry signed into law SB 349, which will add two percent to Tyler’s Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax rate, to be used for the expansion or construction of conference or event facilities for the community. The bill, signed Friday, was introduced during the regular session by Senator Kevin Eltife and Representative Chuck Hopson at the request of Mayor Barbara Bass and the Tyler City Council.

“We are extremely grateful to our state level elected leaders who went to bat for us on this,” said Mayor Bass. “The ability to raise funds for facilities which will attract tourism and conferences without raising our property tax rates for our citizens is very important to establishing tourism as an economic engine in Tyler.” Eltife remarked, “It was an honor for me to help the Mayor and Council achieve their goal during this legislative session and I appreciate Governor Perry signing SB 349 into law.”

Tourism was identified as one of Tyler’s chief opportunities for economic growth in the Industry Growth Initiative that was adopted in mid-2010. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 visits are lost each year because Tyler has not had the facilities to accommodate large conferences. “Tourism brings fresh dollars to our economy,” explained Bass. “This is money from outside our region being spent in Tyler. The result is jobs for Tylerites and economic vitality.”

The additional revenue from the two percent increase will be captured in a unique account and will be used solely for the purpose of expanding or constructing convention or event facilities. It is anticipated that $500,000 will be raised annually. “A specific project has not yet been identified,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The need for larger conference/event facilities has been discussed for years. With the adoption of the IGI, we felt that the time was right to begin putting funding sources in place to address this call for expanded facilities. Now that we know that a revenue stream has been established, we will continue our exploration for an appropriate project that will be the most beneficial for Tyler.”

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Tyler Economic Development Council and the Tyler Lodging Association all provided letters of support for the additional two percent occupancy rate. “The revenue generated by the new rate will help to generate income to fill the need for conference facilities,” said Henry Bell, chief operating officer for the Chamber of Commerce. “This will give us a competitive advantage when trying to bring large conferences to Tyler.” A letter of explanation and revised Report of Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax Form will be sent to all Tyler hotels from the City of Tyler Finance Department prior to the planned Sept. 1 effective date. A local ordinance to put the bill into effect will be presented to the Tyler City Council on July 13.

TYLER — Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics unveils its $7 million Outpatient Imaging Center, in Trinity Mother Frances Health Park Plaza, 1327 Troup Highway. Spokesman John Moore says, “Not only do we have the latest technology — and, in some cases, the best technology you can buy in the world right now — but it’s comprehensive; it’s all in one place.” Moore says MRI’s, CT scans, and digital x-rays are all part of the new arsenal of medical tools for finding, diagnosing, and treating medical problems. Moore says the center’s the first and only comprehensive facility of its kind in the region. He adds, “This is good for physicians, it’s good for patients. These machines are more accurate, they’re faster, less radiation, more convenient; it’s just a wonderful facility, and we’re very proud to have it open.”

EAST TEXAS — The extremely dry weather has led to a number of counties taking precautions. Several counties have implemented burn bans due to the ongoing drought and several are considering banning fireworks. Officials say most of the state is under a red flag warning. Counties under burn bans include: Angelina, Morris, Cass, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, Cherokee, Anderson, Henderson, Navarro, Ellis, Nacogdoches, Shelby, and San Augustine.

Smith County Commissioners vote to restrict the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks outside of city limits for the Fourth of July fireworks season and as needed during existence of drought conditions. The ban applies to the sale and use of fireworks that are “rockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins.”

A ban on burning and fireworks has been filed by Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter due to drought conditions across the county. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, Suiter said the burn ban must be extended by county commissioners within seven days and the fireworks ban must be approved by Gov. Rick Perry’s office within 60 hours. As for the yearly city display, Suiter said he is exempting organized fireworks shows under fire department supervision.

TYLER — A Tyler house has been damaged by fire. It was reported around 5:00 Monday afternoon in the 300 block of Dobbs Street. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, it is thought to have started on the back porch and a rear room and then extended into the attic. No one was at home when the fire started and no injuries were reported. But a pet dog and cat were killed in the blaze. A second cat was resuscitated at the scene and taken to a local vet.

LONGVIEW – Thanks to an alert bystander, a Longview burglary suspect has been arrested. The witness called 911 to report a vehicle burglary in the 300 block of Erskin Avenue early Sunday morning. He described the clothing the suspect was wearing and the direction he was heading.

When officers arrived they found Edward Cartwright, 19, quickly walking away from the area. He was wearing the clothing the witness described to dispatchers. Officers found in Cartwright’s backpack a loaded .22 caliber pistol and several other items that did not belong to him. He was arrested on charges of burglary of a vehicle and unlawfully caring a weapon.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — A judge is considering whether to dismiss some prospective jurors in the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of helping an inmate she allegedly fell in love with escape. Defense lawyer Garvin Isaacs said the number of possible jurors for the trial of Bobbi Parker couldn’t be determined Monday because District Judge Richard Darby hadn’t ruled on challenges made by attorneys. The pool was at 20 on Thursday. Parker is accused of running away with Randolph Dial after helping him break out of the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Isaacs says Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued at a Shelby County, Texas chicken ranch in 2005. Parker has pleaded not guilty. Attorneys want to choose 22 people then use challenges to reach a 12-member panel.

BEAUMONT – An Angelina County physician has been sentenced to federal prison for health care fraud violations. Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 47, of Lufkin, pleaded guilty last November, to conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. He was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Orlov was also ordered to pay $309,000 in restitution and a $30,000 fine.

According to federal prosecutors, from November 2008 to April 2010, Orlov, a physician and the owner of a Lufkin medical practice and urgent care clinic, and an employee, Haseeb Rehman, submitted claims for physicians’ services to Medicare and Medicaid for services provided by Rehman, who was not a licensed medical professional. Orlov controlled and operated Lufkin Urgent Care, P.A. He employed Rehman to run Lufkin Urgent Care. He treated patients, prescribed medication, performed minor surgical procedures, and operated within Lufkin Urgent Care as if he were a licensed medical professional. Claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for Rehman’s services representing that the services were provided by a physician. As a result of these claims, Orlov unlawfully obtained more than $250,000 from Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of last year and charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.

TYLER — The Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has been awarded an $8,372,357 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for airport safety and security enhancement projects. This is the largest single grant Tyler has ever received from the FAA. “Quality transportation services are important for boosting the local economy, so we are delighted to receive these funds to be ued toward improvements and safety for our airport,” said Davis Dickson, Airport Manager.

The grant funding will be used to improve and update required Runway Safety Areas for Runway 4/22. Navigational aids (NavAids), lighting, associated taxiways and facilities will also be constructed to meet the new runway configuration. “We are very pleased with the airport staff for their efforts, hard work and diligence to secure this latest grant,” Mayor Barbara Bass said. The grant will pay 95 percent of all eligible expenses related to the improvement project.

“We are very fortunate that the FAA blessed us with this grant opportunity,” said Mayor Bass. “The Airport is a tremendous asset to the community, making travel easier while bringing new businesses and industries to Tyler. In the Industry Growth Initiative, Tyler Pounds is identified as an asset that we should capitalize upon. This grant will help move us in that direction.” At their regular meeting on June 22, the Tyler City Council will be asked to ratify the grant application and authorize the City Manager to accept the grant funding.

The grant announcement came from U.S. Senator John Cornyn. “These funds will be used to address needed maintenance and safety improvements at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport,” Sen. Cornyn said. “In addition, quality transportation services are important for boosting local economic growth. I commend the area leaders who worked to secure this funding.”

The Tyler Pounds Regional Airport was named 2007 Airport of the Year for the State of Texas by the (FAA) for its outstanding contributions toward aviation in the state. The new airport terminal was constructed in 2002 with half cent sales tax funding and other grant funds. Located at 700 Skyway Blvd, off of Highway 64 West, it is serviced by Continental Connection and American Eagle with 18 daily flights, servicing 150,000 passengers per year.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – Gov. Rick Perry has signed into law a measure that will give the state’s teachers more access to criminal information about their students. The law will require written notification of student arrests as well as details about parolees from the juvenile justice system. It was prompted by the 2009 fatal stabbing of John Tyler High School teacher Todd Henry (pictured) by a 16-year-old who had been released from the Texas Youth Commission. Rep. Jerry Madden, the bill’s sponsor, said Monday that Perry’s approval ensures “a safe learning environment” for teachers and students. The legislation was strongly supported by educators. But it drew criticism from juvenile justice advocates who believe it undercuts the confidentiality necessary for young people to overcome mistakes. Texas already provides more background on students than most states permit.

TYLER — Smith County holds two public hearings today in the Courthouse Annex as it continues to seek redistricting input from the public. One hearing was this morning at 9:30; the other is this afternoon at 5:30. You can also submit input through the County’s redistricting web page. Go to http://www.smith-county.com to view that page.

According to the Census Bureau the Smith County population grew to 209,714 in 2010, making the ideal population for the four commissioner precincts 52,429. According to the initial data presented to the court, only County precincts 1 and 4 will be affected by the proposed new boundaries. Initial information showed Precinct 1 experienced significant growth and is more than 10 percent above its ideal population, while Precinct 4 needs about 9.5% more population. Each commissioner precinct must be within 10% deviation from the ideal population. The new population numbers create a 19.5% imbalance. The proposed plan will address the imbalance and bring Precinct 4 under the 10% threshold.

HOUSTON COUNTY — 80 dogs seized from a suspected animal hoarder in Houston County may travel thousands of miles to find new homes. The flea-ridden and emaciated dogs, from Chihuahuas to a St. Bernard mix, were taken from a 17-acre property and are being shipped across the country. Scotlund Haisley with Animal Rescue Corps says, “The resources and shelters are limited, and we want to make sure that these dogs aren’t just simply brought to a shelter and put to death, because shelters are already overcrowded. We’ve got to get real creative.” Haisley says the owner was evicted three weeks ago, abandoning the dogs, and some 20 horses had been moved off the property before the dogs were rescued.