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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A pipeline that transports crude oil from Canada through seven states is operational again after it was temporarily shut down. TransCanada Corp. isn’t saying much about what caused the shutdown, other than “mechanical issues.” Crude began flowing through the $5.2 billion pipeline last year. It’s designed to carry 590,000 barrels of oil daily. The Calgary-based company is seeking to build the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline (seen on the map at left) that would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas. That project, which would run through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County, is awaiting U.S. State Department approval.

TYLER – Three persons are in custody in connection with the robbery of a man doing volunteer work in the vicinity of Beckham and Locust. He tells officers, Wednesday afternoon, the men came up from behind him, took his wallet from his pants and fled.

A short time later, the victim’s wife reported the stolen card was used at a Whataburger in the area. Officers remembered a traffic stop from earlier Wednesday morning that matched the description of the vehicle and suspects involved. That led them to Grand Manor apartments off of 29th street where the three suspects were located. Officers say evidence linking them to the theft was found.

Taken into custody was Tommy Brattles, 19, Rodrick Horton, 21 and Gerard Lindsey, 19. They have been charged with theft and the use of a stolen credit card.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted unanimously to contract with Garfield Traub Developments, LLC (with PKF Consulting USA as a subcontractor) to conduct a market and feasibility study for the construction, financing, and operation of a conference center and/or multipurpose center. 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,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “This is money from outside our region being spent in Tyler. The result is jobs for Tylerites and economic vitality.”

During the last Texas Legislative session, the City requested that Senator Kevin Eltife and Representative Chuck Hopson sponsor and carry bills to amend the Tax Code to allow for an additional two percent hotel occupancy tax to be collected within Tyler City Limits. This legislation was subsequently adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. An enabling ordinance was also passed by the City Council. By law, this additional two percent must be used for the construction, expansion, maintenance, or operation of convention center facilities, which may include a conference/convention center, multipurpose facility, arena or related facility. “A new facility will give us a competitive advantage when trying to bring large conferences to Tyler,” said Shari Rickman, general manager – vice president, conventions for the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The City’s budget includes a separate accounting for this additional two percent hotel occupancy tax, and funds have been programmed to commence with a market/feasibility study for a new or expanded facility. Garfield Traub Developments will provide development economics, financing, planning and project support to the City to complete preliminary, yet realistic, financing models for development. The contractor would also examine any related studies performed by others, as well as gather input from the local hotel industry/association and other interested parties or potential partners.

“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 the call for expanded facilities. Now that some ‘seed’ funding is in place, we are exploring the facility and location that will be most beneficial for Tyler,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. Officials say the entire study will be completed in approximately 90 days, at which time the consultants will report their findings to the Council.

LONGVIEW — Longview Rodeo Arena is closed to the public at perhaps the height of its popularity. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the city must now decide whether to spend $1 million to demolish and replace the structure that has served Longview at least six decades.

The city closed the arena after a Houston-based civil engineering firm on Oct. 18 found structural damage and corrosion to the bleachers. In his report, Senior Structural Engineer Keith Burkholder with Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, Inc., said the arena’s grandstands are in disrepair and structurally unsound. He also found significant corrosion, design and construction deficiencies on all five grandstands and recommended that the facility be demolished and replaced because of the “substantial cost for complete restoration” of the arena to meet building code requirements. Burkholder said it was the first inspection in his 26-year career in which he recommended a facility’s closure.

“We’ve known for some time that this facility was in dire straits, because every year we spend money to patch it up,” Mayor Jay Dean said. “It has gotten to the point where we are not curing the problem, but instead postponing the inevitable.” Municipal leaders Thursday will present to council members a $1 million plan to demolish and replace the rodeo arena’s grandstands, lighting and announcer’s booth. If approved by the council in December, Public Works Director Keith Bonds said construction would be complete prior to the arena’s next scheduled event, Dalton Days on April 14-15.

FLINT — Smith County Firefighters battled two house fires in Flint. Fire Investigators say lightning may have been to blame. It happened around 12:00 Tuesday afternoon on Cass Circle. Authorities say they believe a lightning bolt may have jumped from one house to another. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Police are investigating a shooting in North Longview less than a half mile from Longview High School. Authorities say the victim, Wednesday morning, was on his way to make a deposit with company money from the night before. The man was traveling on Skyline Drive when three young men stopped his vehicle and ambushed him, shooting the driver in his upper body. The victim sped away to a nearby Austin Bank. His condition is unknown. Officials describe the suspects as three black males, wearing black clothing and in their late teens or early twenties. A Gregg County DPS helicopter and a K-9 unit were brought in to help in the search. Some road closures were instituted.

GREGG COUNTY — A popular eatery has reopened after closing due to health inspection violations. Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, in Longview, remained closed Tuesday early afternoon after city health inspectors found eight critical violations and gave the restaurant a score of D. Longview environmental health personnel inspected the restaurant, U.S. 259 North and Hawkins Parkway, Monday afternoon and found several violations.

According to municipal records, Cheddar’s had eight critical violations, including improper cooling of cooked and prepared foods, improper handling of ready-to-eat foods and poor hygienic practices. The restaurant was cited for its fourth-ever violation of temperature requirements, the kitchen salad cooler at 57 degrees – another fourth violation – and the inspector’s finding of an “infestation of flies on everything, clean equipment, utensils, food contact surfaces and walls.”

HENDERSON – Henderson voters have approved both alcohol propositions in Tuesday’s election. But a school bond proposal failed. According to the unofficial returns:
Henderson Alcohol Proposition 1 – Sale of alcohol in stores
1,391 votes in favor
1,153 votes against

Henderson Alcohol Proposition 2 – Sale of mixed drinks in restaurants
1,495 votes in favor
1,042 votes against

Henderson ISD Bond
1854 votes in favor
1941 votes against

WINONA – Authorities are trying to identify a body found in northern Smith County and determine the cause of death. The body was found around 8:00 Tuesday morning southeast of Winona off County Road 353. Investigators, who suspect foul play, said it appeared as if the body had not been there very long. The body has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy. The man, said to be in his 20s, was said to have been wearing blue jeans with a blue zip-up fleece Dickies jacket and white and red Prada tennis shoes.

TYLER — Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is on hand for the dedication of Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler. A ceremony to dedicate what’s termed a one-of-a-kind long-term care facility was held this morning at the home site, at 11466 Honor Lane. Tours of the home were made available after the dedication ceremony. Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is named after three local heroes — two Medal of Honor recipients and a Tuskegee airman. Family members of Travis Earl Watkins, James Marion Logan and Samuel M. Garrison were on hand to share stories and display treasured memorabilia, including two Medals of Honor.

Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home is built on 20 acres donated by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The donated land is just north of the Health Science Center, along the west side of Highway 155, just south of County Road 334. The home was made possible thanks to a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with the remaining 35 percent paid for by the Texas Veterans Land Board. The new Texas State Veterans Home will join seven others across the state in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, McAllen and Temple. But unlike previous Texas State Veterans Homes, the Smith County home will consist of 10 cottages and one common building. The design approach for each cottage focuses on drawing residents into social connection by mixing the best communal aspects of a home while still maintaining privacy and independence for residents.

Texas State Veterans Homes offer a broad spectrum of health care services, comprehensive rehabilitation programs, special diets, recreational activities, social services, libraries, and certified, secured Alzheimer’s units, each with its own secured outdoor courtyard. For additional information on Texas State Veterans Homes, including eligibility criteria, you can call 1-800-252-VETS (8387). You can also visit the Texas Veterans Land Board website at http://www.texasveterans.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/TXVLB to find information on Facebook.

TYLER – A 58-year-old Wills Point man has pleaded guilty to child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Brian Douglas Brown pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, in June 2011, Brown communicated via online chats with an individual identified to him as being 14 years old, to whom Brown expressed the desire to engage in sexual activity with the child. Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011, and charged with child exploitation charges.

BEAUMONT – A Lufkin physician has been charged with federal income tax violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. David A. Mosig, 60, appeared Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone in Beaumont on three charges of making false statements on a tax return. According to prosecutors, Mosig is alleged to have filed Forms 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns and statements for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 tax years, which under-reported his income for each of the respective tax reporting periods. Mosig was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 19, 2011 and charged with federal income tax violations. If convicted, Mosig faces up to three years in federal prison on each charge.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of counterfeit money. Bryan Scott Mayfield entered the plea in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to federal authorities, on June 4, 2011, Mayfield assisted another person in passing counterfeit money at a Wal-Mart in Gilmer. Mayfield knew a cashier at the Wal-Mart and contacted her to see if she would be working on that date. Mayfield told her that he and others were planning to use counterfeit currency, and she agreed to let them make the purchase at her cash register. Mayfield was present and assisted in the purchase of a laptop computer with eight counterfeit $100 bills.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Sep. 15, 2011, charging Mayfield with federal crimes. Mayfield faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A 47-year-old illegal alien living in Tyler has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Manuel Venegas Gomez pleaded guilty on Mar. 25, 2011, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced in Tyler to 121 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Gomez was also ordered to forfeit $106,380 in cash and a judgment in the amount of $50,000.

According to information presented in court, up until Dec. 18, 2010, Gomez conspired with others to distribute more than 15 kilograms of cocaine throughout East Texas. Gomez and co-defendants were arrested packaging over $100,000 in cash to send to Mexico for cocaine sales. They were also in possession of two kilos of cocaine, methamphetamine and a firearm.

On Sep. 28, 2011, Jorge Alberto Gutierrez-Salinas was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and Santos Barrera-Mendoza was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. The three men were indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 13, 2011.

TYLER – A 63-year-old Christianburg, Virginia man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Charles Abner Richey, Jr., pleaded guilty on July 7, 2011, to coercion and enticement of minors. He was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to prosecutors, from Apr. 19, 2011 to May 5, 2011, Richey used a computer to communicate with a minor in an attempt to engage in sexual activity. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 2, 2011, charging Richey with federal child pornography violations.

TYLER – A 44-year-old Crandall man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Kyle Mack Adams pleaded guilty on June 14, 2011, to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. He was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison on Nov. 7, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to federal authorities, between December 2009 and December 2010, Adams used fraudulent credit card numbers in an attempt to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from various retailers. Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 2, 2011 and charged with federal violations.

TYLER – A 24-year-old Mabank man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Christopher Lee Chambers pleaded guilty on May 24, 2011, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in Tyler to 37 months in federal prison on Nov. 7, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 24, 2010, Chambers was found to be in possession of a Marlin .243 caliber rifle. Further investigation revealed Chambers was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of unlawful use of a criminal instrument in Henderson County and burglary of a building in Harrison County, both in 2006. As a convicted felon, Chambers is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Chambers was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 8, 2011, and charged with federal firearms violations.

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas man will follow his brother to prison over credit card fraud involving numbers stolen online and from a restaurant. Federal prosecutors in Tyler on Tuesday announced Nathan Michael of Malakoff has been sentenced to more than four years in prison. Michael pleaded guilty in May to access device fraud. He also was ordered Monday to repay more than $95,000. His brother, Christopher Michael, pleaded guilty in May to access device fraud and was later sentenced to four years in prison, plus must make restitution. Elizabeth Pickrell, who worked at a Chicken Express in Tyler, pleaded guilty in April to access device fraud and was later sentenced to two years in prison. Charge card numbers were stolen from the restaurant. A fourth person in the scam awaits sentencing.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Receives Texas Comptroller Award for Financial Transparency Smith County Judge Joel Baker announced today that Smith County is the proud recipient of a 2011 Texas Comptroller Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency. The Comptroller Gold Leadership Award recognizes government entities that set the bar for financial transparency and access to the public. The Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online by providing citizens with a clear, consistent picture of spending and sharing information in a user friendly format.

The program spotlights those local governments that are:

* opening their books to the public
* providing clear, consistent pictures of spending
* sharing information in a user-friendly format

This is the second year Smith County has received this top honor in financial
transparency.

TYLER — Authorities were urging drivers yesterday to be extra cautious while driving during rainy or drizzly conditions. Officials responded to the scene of a crash involving a Tyler Police vehicle that was protecting the scene of a one car accident in the 1400 block of South Glenwood. The officer was out of the vehicle when it was struck from behind by a 2000 Nissan Pick-up driven by Latasha King, 19, Tyler. Police said King was traveling too fast for the wet street conditions and was unable to stop in time sliding into the rear of the patrol vehicle. She was transported to ETMC with non-life threatening injuries.

Tyler Police investigated close to 20 vehicle crashes from 6:30 to 9:30 Tuesday morning. Tyler Police remind drivers to slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, especially during bad weather.

MARTINS MILL (AP) – The discovery of a vehicle in a drought-lowered East Texas lake has led to the recovery of a missing woman’s body. Van Zandt County Constable Pat Jordan says authorities do not believe foul play was involved in the death. Autopsy results are pending on the woman believed to be Brenda Kay Oliver. Jordan says low water in a small, private lake near Martins Mill led to the discovery Saturday of a partly submerged vehicle. A man living nearby saw a windshield sticking out of the water. The vehicle, with a handicapped license plate, was registered to Oliver. The car and the woman were reported missing in July 2008. Relatives say Oliver had been distraught over the 2000 death of her teenage son.

MARSHALL — Following the DWI arrest of an MISD assistant principal, Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing noted Monday the administration was handling the situation internally. Melissa Renee Fincher, 39, the assistant principal at Price T. Young Middle School, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning by DPS officers in Marion County for driving under the influence. When asked about the school’s policy regarding such arrests, Gearing said according to the policy, Ms. Fincher “really doesn’t have to report it to a supervisor unless it is the second (occurrence) within a 12-month period.”

Following her arrest, Ms. Fincher was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall to test her blood alcohol concentration level. She was then booked into Marion County Jail and later released on a personal recognizance bond. Driving while intoxicated, first offense is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, the punishment range is confinement in the county jail for a term of no less than 72 hours or no more than six months.

LONGVIEW – A Tyler man has been arrested in Upshur County for a Longview robbery. Arrested early Monday morning was Alvin Lee Craig, 47.

It began when a man with a knife robbed a Food Fast convenience store 100 block of South Access Road. The suspect fled with an undetermined amount of money. Authorities started chasing him near the intersection of Eastman and Alpine Road. The chase ended around 4:00am on Jaguar Road in Gilmer. Craig was booked into the Upshur County jail on charges of aggravated robbery and evading arrest.

CANTON – The remains of a woman missing for over three years has been found in a submerged car in a Van Zandt County lake. In the car was the body of Brenda K. Oliver, 58, of Canton. A man told officers his grandson had noticed the car in the lake near Martins Mill. The license plate came back to Oliver, who has been missing since July12th, 2008. The body has been sent to a lab for DNA analysis.

LUFKIN — One person is dead after a one vehicle roll-over accident near Lufkin, and officials released details of the accident late Monday. According to KETK, Angelina County DPS says it happened on Highway 103 near Golf Course Road. The victim is identified as Wayne Paul Walters, 39, of Lufkin. The Department of Public Safety reports Walters was traveling at a high speed when he crossed some rail road tracks. He lost control of the car which ended up in a ditch. He over corrected, ending up in a ditch on the other side of the road. The car went airborne, hit a tree and landed on its top.

TYLER – A bit of history is on display at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. “Aluminum Overcast,” the Experimental Aircraft Association’s restored B-17 bomber, has stopped in Tyler during its “Salute to Veterans” national tour. It will be at the Tyler airport through Wednesday. For a fee you can tour the aircraft and, weather permitting, even fly in it.

This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is one of only 13 still flying in the world. This plane was one of the last, built in 1945, and therefore never made it to combat. But its sister aircraft pounded Nazi Germany day in and day out, with relentless air raids that softened up Europe for an eventual allied invasion. Carrying 10 men on missions that were hours long, nearly 13,000 B-17’s were built in ten years, and 5500 of them were shot down over Europe and the Pacific, with a loss of 45,000 crewmembers.

LONGVIEW — A hit and run Monday afternoon sends two people to the hospital. It happened around 1:30 on South Mobberly Avenue in Longview. Longview police tell KETK the driver of a champagne Chevy Silverado was traveling north towards Cotton Street when the driver ran a stop sign causing an accident. The driver then fled the scene without stopping. Two people in the other car were transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Police are looking for the driver of the Silverado. If you have any information contact Longview police.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – A prosecutor says the wife of a former Oklahoma prison warden convicted of helping an inmate escape has been sentenced to a year in prison. Assistant District Attorney David Thomas says Greer County District Court Richard Darby adhered to the jury’s recommendation that Bobbi Parker serve a year in prison. She could have been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of helping Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Parker’s husband was the prison’s deputy warden when she and Dial went missing. They were found living together on a Shelby County, Texas, chicken ranch in 2005. Prosecutors say the two fell in love and planned the escape. But Parker says Dial kidnapped her and kept her from seeking help by threatening to harm her family.

TYLER — A new turn lane on a busy Tyler road has caused some concern for drivers. On Rice Road between Old Jacksonville Highway and Hollytree, the entire eastbound left lane has been made into a turning lane. Drivers are complaining that it makes traffic more congested and confusing. City Engineer Peter Eng says there might be a delay or two, but the decision was based on concern for drivers. Eng also says the turn lane will make it safer for pedestrians crossing the street.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has been arrested after police find him passed out. Terry Christopher Criswell, 27, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated after being found asleep behind the wheel at a red light, according to a Lufkin Police report. Police also charged Criswell with unlawful carrying of a weapon after a handgun was found on the passenger side floor board of the vehicle. Criswell was booked into the Angelina County Jail.