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VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $900 in rewards for tips that led to the recent arrests of five people, including three suspects wanted in connection with the fiery explosion at an oil storage tank facility north of Van. A single $600 reward was approved for an anonymous caller whose tip led to the arrest of two Edgewood brothers. One brother was wanted on a bond forfeiture warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. The other brother was wanted on a felony drunk driving charge.

Multiple tipsters will share a $300 reward for information they provided that helped identify three suspects in the January 29 oil tank explosion, caused when a lit cigarette ignited fumes. The three suspects subsequently turned themselves in to authorities.

“We’re very pleased that this oil tank explosion prompted numerous calls to Crime Stoppers to help point authorities to the individuals involved,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “It shows that people are increasingly aware that they can provide this information to us anonymously, and get a reward for doing that.”

Flowers wanted to emphasize to tip callers that in order to collect on their cash reward at the bank, they must know the entire code number. Each caller is given a four-digit number when they call in the tip, then must call Crime Stoppers back once a reward is approved to get the complete reward code number.

TYLER — A Tyler wreck has left one person dead and one person in custody. It was reported shortly before 1:15 Sunday morning at the intersection of Highway 31 West and County Road 1248. Police Sgt. Daniel Richardson identifies the victim as William Craig Little, 56, of Tyler. Investigators say a car driven by Ramon Duran-Ledesma (pictured), 22, of Ben Wheeler, hit Little’s pickup from behind. Ledesma was uninjured. He has been booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of intoxication manslaughter. His bond is set at $250,000.

CHAPEL HILL — An ATV accident in Smith County has injured two persons, one critically. It happened just before 5:00 Sunday afternoon on private property at 11749 Highway 64 East near Chapel Hill. Witnesses tell Smith County Sheriff’s deputies the two teenagers were traveling at an unsafe speed when they lost control of the ATV and overturned, tossing both girls from the vehicles. The one most seriously injured was pinned under the ATV. She sustained a severe head injury and has undergone surgery at East Texas medical center. She is said to be in critical condition. The second girl received moderate scrapes and bruises.

LONGVIEW — A suspicious device found in a Longview parking lot turned out to be a pipe filled with papers. The pipe was found in the bed of a pickup in the parking lot of Albertson’s on Loop 281. The bomb squad from Bossier City shot water into the device to find out what was inside the mysterious, but harmless device. Just over three hours after the device was found the parking lot and store were reopened.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

WOOD COUNTY – Construction crews from TxDOT contractor Longview Bridge and Road on Monday and Tuesday this week are scheduled to place bridge beams on the State Highway 154 bridge just west of Quitman, which will require traffic to be stopped periodically. Also in Wood County, construction crews are scheduled to resume resurfacing work in various locations on State Highway 182 between Alba and Quitman in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make ditch and edge repairs on State Highway 135 between Kilgore and Farm Road 918 in Sexton City. A second crew is scheduled on Wednesday to make pavement repairs near the State Highway 135/Farm Road 850 four-way stop in Overton. Elsewhere in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 782 northeast of Henderson between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Looking ahead to March 4, TxDOT construction contractor Longview Bridge and Road is scheduled to close Farm Road 1798 to all traffic on either side of U.S. Highway 259 between Henderson and Mount Enterprise so crews can begin building the overpass structure across US 259. The work is scheduled to be completed by July 4, but meanwhile traffic will be unable to access FM 1798 from US 259. Marked detours will be in place.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Tuesday are scheduled to do approximately one day of pavement repair work on Farm Road 848 between Spur 248 and State Highway 64 east of Tyler, followed by similar work on Farm Road 757 between Farm Road 2767 and State Highway 31 east of Tyler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make storm-related repairs on State Highway 334 between U.S. Highway 175 and State Highway 198 in Gun Barrel City, and on US 175 near Poyner. A second crew is scheduled to make edge repairs on State Highway 274 near Seven Points. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue fog seal operations on Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads between Farm Road 1255 and Farm Road 16. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 343 east of U.S. Highway 69 in Rusk, and continue edge work on Farm Road 855 near Mount Selman. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume edge work on Farm Road 1137 east of Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The Board of Directors of East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) is reporting the foundation ended 2012 with a record $53 million in charitable assets. 2012 marked the first year foundation assets surpassed the $50 million milestone. ETCF also reported surpassing another major milestone with record grants of over $5 million during 2012, which reflects the priority of donors and fund advisors to make significant distributions to support the important work of hundreds of charities serving numerous communities.

The Bullard Rotary Club established a new charitable fund at ETCF in 2012, one of 23 organizations and families that helped break another record for ETCF with the highest number of new charitable funds established in a single year. Bullard Rotary Club used their fund to collect over $130,000 in public contributions to support the construction of Bullard Kid’s Park, which opened in January. “Certainly political uncertainty and tax concerns caused a significant amount of year-end personal financial planning, including the establishment of several charitable funds, but the vast majority of new funds were established much earlier in the year,” said foundation president, Kyle Penney. “We welcomed several new charitable funds which will benefit important nonprofits in our communities such as, the Louis and Peaches Owen Endowment for English as a Second Language (benefiting Literacy Council of Tyler), Camp Tyler Outdoor School Endowment Fund, Brownsboro ISD Education Foundation, Nacogdoches County United Way Endowment Fund, three new endowment funds set up by a donor’s estate to support East Texas Crisis Center, Azleway, and PATH, and many others.”

SAN AUGUSTINE (AP) — Closing arguments are set for Tuesday in the East Texas trial of two women accused of kidnapping a Houston boy when he was 8 months old and hiding him for eight years before he was found. Krystle Tanner and her mother, Gloria Walker, have been charged with kidnapping and injury to a child in the 2004 disappearance of Miguel Morin. The women are being tried in San Augustine.

At trial, prosecutors have tried to show that Tanner and Walker repeatedly lied about the boy’s identity to authorities. KTRE-TV of Lufkin reports that defense attorneys say Miguel was sold by his biological mother to Tanner, not kidnapped. The boy is now living with a Houston-area couple that’s also taking care of his siblings.

TYLER — Tyler’s police officer of the year is officer Ethan Johnson. That was one of the many awards handed out Friday night at the department’s annual awards banquet. Employees of the Tyler Police Department along with civilians were honored for their actions and service to the City of Tyler.

In honoring officer Johnson, he was described as an officer who is respected and exhibits the utmost professionalism in the image he presents for the Tyler Police Department. Johnson has only been with the department for 3 years but in that short time has exhibited his strong work ethic and willingness to help others. He works well with both citizens and officers and strives to make the city a better place. He works well in a team environment and continually strives to be a better officer. This officer always takes the time to help new officers and offer assistance wherever he can.

In other awards:
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Lott
Plainclothes Officer of the Year: Detective Royce Jordan
Sworn Supervisor of the Year: Lieutenant Russell Jacks
Unit of the Year: Bike Unit
Civilian Employee of the Year: Michael Cox
Civilian Supervisor of the Year: Erin Walker
Volunteer of the Year: Chaplin Jerry Page

Tyler Patrolman’s Association Awards:
President’s Award: Roddey Hogan-CPA
Excellence in Policing Award: Detective David Cook

Tyler Police Department Awards:
Life Savings Awards:
Officer Jason Compton
Officer Johnny Green
Public Safety Officer Rebekah Hill

Certificate of Merit:
Officer Clay Allen
Communications Evening Shift Supervisor Erin Walker

Citizens Certificate of Merit:
John Craig

TYLER — No injuries are report in an accident involving a Tyler school bus. It happened around 4:00 Friday afternoon in the 5500 block of the Old Jacksonville Highway. Investigators say the bus was north bound on in the outside lane. A white Ford Mustang, driven by Brandi Branson, was north bound in the inside lane beside the bus. The Mustang had a mechanical problem, causing it to swerve toward the bus, hitting the back tire. There was no damage to the bus. The car received minor damage. There was one student on the bus at the time. Branson was cited for failure to maintain a single lane.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the robbery of a man and woman. It happened around 3:45 Friday afternoon in the 600 block of West Houston. The couple told officers they had gone to that location to meet an acquaintance under the pretense of renting an apartment. They brought the deposit money for the apartment with them in cash. The acquaintance produced a knife and demanded the money. After getting the money, he fled south bound on Kennedy street. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — The Smith County Road 230 bridge replacement project is on schedule and set for completion at the end of March. According to a county news release, crews have removed the old bridge and have completed the north and south walls for the new structure. Crews are preparing to install the main beams for the bridge at this time.

Crews are working across the county to patch roads and clear trees from rights-of-way this week. Officials ask you to report potholes and downed trees to the Smith County Road and Bridge Department at 903-590-4801 or use SeeClickFix; that’s a free phone app that allows you to upload pictures and reports directly to the county from your phone or home computer. Click here for a link to the Smith County SeeClickFix Website: http://www.smith-county.com/Residents/SeeClickFix/CountyIssues.aspx

GILMER — A former Mt. Pleasant police sergeant has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. Eric Jason Campbell, 51, after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, was sentenced by Judge Lauren Parish of the 115th District Court. He is not eligible for parole until after serving 25 years, according to the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office. KETK reports Campbell accepted a plea bargain at the request of the victim and family.

After witnessing the courtroom proceedings, the child, who was younger than 14 at the time of the crime, gave a statement in which she told the defendant that this would haunt her for the rest of her life. The victim also stated she felt the sentence would keep the former officer in jail and allow her to avoid testifying on the horrific events. Campbell must also register for the rest of his life as a sex offender and forfeit his peace officers’ license.

WHITEHOUSE — A Whitehouse police officer resigns following his arrest on for allegedly driving while intoxicated. According to Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton, Darrell Desmon Robertson, 39, resigned Thursday morning. According to KETK, Smith County Judicial records show Robertson was booked into jail early that morning and released on $500 bond just over an hour later. Robertson was stopped in his personal vehicle on Farm Road 756 near Loop 49 after a trooper spotted his vehicle allegedly weaving and crossing the center line. After speaking with Robertson, the trooper arrested him for DWI with probable cause, according to Department of Public Safety Spokeswoman Jean Dark.

TYLER — Tyler’s City Council approves a master plan to upgrade the Rose Garden. KETK reports Parks and Recreation is looking for a way to attract visitors to the venue all year long. The famous garden will be expanding and adding some new programs very soon. The goal is to make the Rose Garden a year long attraction for tourists. MHS Design and Planning Team will be leading the project. MHS President Mark Spencer says, “The days of coming home from church on Sunday and Dad saying, ‘Let’s go to the Rose Garden and have a picnic’… times have changed. We tend to live a little more programmed life.”

The planning and design team and the city have been talking for 4 years about upgrades. The City Council approved a master plan this week, with talks of adding an outside restroom, a possible area for outside concerts, and other features. Parks and Recreation Director Stephanie Rollings says officials hope the new additions and the expansion will hopefully bring more people to the garden all year round. “It’s already a huge tourist destination and just really beginning to add more to the facility so more people will come and visit and continue to be that valuable attraction to the city of Tyler,” says Rollings

The upgrades will cost $36,000 and will be paid for through a capital improvement fund with the city. The Texas Rose Festival also donated $15,000 for the project. Spencer says they want to add features that will attract more people to the garden as well as features that will fit with the people of Tyler. According to Spencer, “We’re going to try and look to see what uses will be compatible with the garden and see what the people have to say about that.”

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are looking for the thieves responsible for stealing over $1,500 worth of merchandise from a local store. According to KETK, police described them as a man and woman pushing a small child in a shopping cart. They’re believed to be driving a gold GMC Yukon with Louisiana plates, which authorities say may be temporary tags. Police believe the man is armed.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council has voted to place a local alcohol option on the May 11 ballot. The move was required by state law due to the number of verified signatures collected on the petitions. The proposition would allow beer and wine sales for off premise consumption. According to KETK, the Longview News-Journal, and city spokesman Shawn Hara, City Secretary Shelly Ballinger had earlier verified the minimum 5,375 signatures of registered Longview voters on the petition to call the election. If the proposition passes in May, grocery and convenience stores in the historically dry areas of west and north Longview would be able to sell beer and wine, but not hard liquor.

TYLER — Smith County is combining forces with 300 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in one of the largest joint warrant round ups in the state. Anyone with outstanding court costs and fines has until March 2 to arrange for payment before the warrant sweep begins. On March 2, officers will begin visiting homes, neighborhoods, and places of work to arrest anyone who has not settled his or her debt with the county. “Save yourself the expense and embarrassment of being picked up during the warrant round up. Call the Smith County Collections Department and make arrangements to pay your outstanding fees today,” Sheryl Keel, Smith County Judicial Compliance Supervisor, said. You can check to see if you have unpaid court costs or fines online at http://www.smith-county.com or by calling the Smith County Collections department at 903-590-4620.

Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the grace period between February 15 and March 1, during which time they may resolve their case without penalty of arrest. Beginning March 2, the Enforcement Period will begin and individuals will be “rounded up” at their homes, work, and around town and brought to the court to address their outstanding warrants before a judge.

NOONDAY — A Smith County home has been destroyed by fire. Smith County firefighters were called to the house in the Noonday area Friday morning. The fire broke out on Smith County Road 196 around 7:00. According to KETK, when crews arrived, the house was engulfed in flames and there were two other homes in danger. The fire was extinguished, but the home was destroyed. Investigators have not released the cause of that fire. No injuries have been reported.

LONGVIEW — Crews extinguished a fire that damaged a Longview home. According to the Longview Fire Department, the fire happened just before 4:00 Friday morning in the 1800 block of Buckner Road. The road was closed for some time while crews battled the blaze but later reopened. According to KETK, officials were not yet sure of the exact cause or extent of the damage.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed three members to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents for terms to expire January 31, 2019. These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

John R. “Bob” Garrett of Tyler is president and CEO of the Fair Oil Co. of Texas and Fair Management Co. He is chairman of the Tyler Development Code Committee, vice president of the RW Fair Foundation, and a board member of The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and Salvation Army of Tyler. He is also past president of the Texas Association of Builders and Tyler Area Builders Association, a past state representative of the National Association of Home Builders, and a past board member and past treasurer of the Tyler Economic Development Council. Garrett received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Tyler. He is reappointed to the board.

David Alders of Nacogdoches is president of Carrizo Creek Corporation, and manager of Caddo Farms LLC and Dagwood Timber LP. He is chairman of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation and Heritage Land Bank Association boards, and a board member of the State Bar of Texas, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center, and Nacogdoches Regents Academy. He is also a board member and past president of the Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau, vice president of the Pineywoods Groundwater Conservation District, a member of the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group Executive Committee, and past chairman of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs Governing Board. Alders received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.

Barry Nelson of Dallas is president of Interra Partners LLC. He is an executive advisory board member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Rusche College of Business, a past board member of the Dallas Business Development Corporation, and a past board member and past executive committee member of the Dallas Real Estate Council. Nelson received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

SMITH COUNTY — The search is on after a puppy was stolen from the Pets Fur People shelter in Smith County. Gayle Helms with Pets Fur People, formerly the Humane Society of Smith County, tells KETK that the puppy was taken just before 5:00pm last Friday. Employees noticed a black 4-door Mitsubishi driving into the compound. They say that while it is unusual to have a vehicle so close, it’s not unheard of, so they did not approach the vehicle. They noticed a young Hispanic couple get out of the car and walk around the complex. The man and woman were in their 20s or 30s. The man is approximately 5’9″ and was wearing a red hoodie. The woman is approximately 5’5″ with long black hair. She was wearing a white shirt at the time of the theft.

The pup, “Woodrow,” is a 3-month-old Shepherd mix. He had already been adopted, but was being held at the shelter for a week before being picked up by his new family. They are offering a reward of $500 for information regarding the pup’s whereabouts. If you have tips, you’re asked to contact Pets Fur People at [email protected] or (903) 597-2471. Helms says Woodrow’s adopted family was heartbroken after hearing of the incident

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert and others in the House took time out to honor the lives of sniper Chris Kyle and colleague Chad Littlefield, both recently slain. Gohmert went to the Bible for his comment, saying, “Jesus is quoted in John 15:13 saying greater love has no one than this than a man lay down his life for a friend. Chris had that commitment every time he was in a hostile area he was willing to do that.” KETK reports Kyle’s autobiography is a popular read at book stores across East Texas. It’s called “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History.”

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine and Anderson County were notified Thursday by Sanderson Farms of the company’s intent to build a poultry complex in the region. The notification followed completion of the company’s annual stockholders meeting. According to a news release from the city, Sanderson Farms plans to build three facilities in the area, two of which will be located in Anderson County and one in Freestone County. Officials say the company will invest approximately $92 million on the construction of a hatchery and processing plant that will be located in Anderson County and an additional $32 million on the feed mill in Freestone County. Once the hatchery and processing plant is open, the company expects to employ up to 1000 people.

“This project is a long-term capital investment and will be the third complex of this nature built in Texas,” said Wendy Ellis, economic development director for the City of Palestine Economic Development Corporation. “Sanderson Farms has a reputation for being an outstanding corporate partner wherever they are located. The leadership in Waco and McLennan County has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with them and has seen positive impacts in their area from the complex that was built there. Along with the relationship with Sanderson Farms, we look forward to putting together a collaborative effort with our neighbors in Freestone County to provide what the company needs to build in this area.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples of Palestine added, “Today’s announcement is another great success story that will have a profound impact on rural Texas. Sanderson Farms opening operations in Anderson and Freestone counties is welcome news for all of East Texas. This new facility will support invaluable new jobs and play an integral role in driving Texas’ $100 billion agriculture industry. I thank Sanderson Farms for its vision and investment in the region and the economy of Texas. These kinds of forward-looking business decisions have helped Texas weather the national economic downturn and make us a leader in job growth.”

A construction start date has not been selected at this time. Sanderson Farms, Anderson County, the City of Palestine, the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, and Freestone County are working together on the project and say they will have more information as it develops. For more information on the expansion project or the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, visit http://www.PalestineTexas.net or call 903-729-4100.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas has experienced drought and recent rainfall this past week, and reports say lake levels across the state sit below normal. Some lakes in East Texas hit their record low. KETK spoke to licensed fishing guide Jim Beggerly at Jim’s Fishing; he says lake levels are at historic lows for this time of year. But the news isn’t all bad. “One of the bright spots is our own Lake Palestine. Lake Palestine has recovered quite well from the drought of 2010-2011 and is now up close to normal pool,” said Beggerly.

Beggerly says at this time the lake level at Lake Fork remains 3 feet low, Lake Tyler is 2 feet low, and Lake Palestine has a normal pool averaging close to 3 feet low. Levels have gradually recovered. Beggerly says the normal fluctuation range is about 2 1/2 feet. Tyler fisherman Stephen Sheppard says, “Last year my sister and them — their lake lot was about so far down they couldn’t even get their boat in the lake, so this year is better.” Beggerly cautions that the lower levels can make it dangerous for fishermen and boaters. “Now you’ve got stumps that are now near the water level just under the surface, stumps that are dangerous,” says Beggerly.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help in identifying a suspect in a trailer theft at a residence on Farm Road 2087. A person believed to be that suspect is shown at left in the picture. The dark colored Ford truck, which is also in the video, is believed to be driven by the suspect. The stolen trailer was described as a black 16-foot homemade utility trailer with “C channel” steel welded on the front and sides. It also has light blue paint under the right side fender.

Another trailer, described as a black 5×8 utility trailer, containing a Craftsman riding mower and other lawn equipment, was stolen on Spinks Chapman road, also on Wednesday. The Craftsman mower is red with orange flames on the sides.

TYLER — American Eagle Airlines has added a new arriving and departing flight at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, increasing opportunities for early evening travel. Beginning yesterday, the new flight arrived from Dallas Fort-Worth Airport (DFW) at 3:40pm and left to DFW at 4:10pm. This will be the schedule each day. “American had temporarily suspended one of our afternoon flights several weeks this winter and we’re extremely pleased to see this flight come back to the Tyler market,” Airport Manager Davis Dickson said. “Tyler has needed more available seats in the afternoon flights to and from DFW. I’m very pleased to see this expansion of commercial air services for our customers in the region. I hope to see more as we approach the summer months.”

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is served by American Airlines to DFW Airport and United Airlines to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. More than 144,700 passengers flew in and out of Tyler Pounds Regional last year, officials said. “A good travel tip to save money is to book your flight direct from Tyler to your destination.” Dickson said. “Check with your travel agent or travel website and use the three-letter code TYR for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.” Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport one hour before departure time to allow plenty of time for baggage check-in and to obtain boarding passes. Customers wishing to book their flights on-line can go to the airport website at http://www.TylerAirport.com for links to the American Airlines or United Express Airlines reservation centers.

LUFKIN — A Hudson day care worker has been indicted on a charge of child endangerment. According to KETK, the state shut down Jessica Bridwell’s Wild About Kids daycare, claiming seriously deficient supervision. Investigators said workers were negligent in the care of a baby who suffered a fractured skull after falling off of a changing table. The 25-year-old was released from the Angelina County Jail on a bond of $5000.

EAST TEXAS — Tyler and Longview are getting new national attention for having great economies. KETK reports Bismarck, North Dakota., beat out Tyler for the top spot in the new study of small metro areas across the country, and Longview came in third. The study was conducted by a real estate firm out of Washington, D.C.; the rankings are based on economic strength measured by current and forecasted job growth, population growth, income levels, and ratios of the working population to total population.

Both Longview and Tyler’s economic development divisions noted diversity as a reason for the high rankings. Tom Mullins with the Tyler Economic Development Council (pictured) says Tyler has shown a lot of growth in technology jobs, particularly telecommunications. According to Mullins, “Companies like Suddenlink have been growing here; we have small Internet, new software companies that are growing here. We have this huge medical base; we have higher educational activity. So there are a lot of things happening in our economy that are showing diverse strength.”

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Tyler has been selected to receive the Texas Hospital Association’s 2012 Excellence in Community Service Award in recognition of its highly successful East Texas Pin-A-Sister breast cancer awareness campaign. The award was presented Wednesday at the THA 2013 Annual Conference and Expo in Austin. “ETMC Tyler has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to improve the health of every member of its community, and this program ensures engagement in a unique and interesting way,” said Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, THA president/chief executive officer.

Regina Davis, director of ETMC’s Breast Care Center, became interested in developing a program like Pin-A-Sister after the local chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure released results of a study conducted in Smith County. The data revealed that African-American women in the community had significantly higher rates of breast cancer than other women. Worse, these women also tended to present with later-stage breast disease and had a much higher mortality rate.

Part of the problem was the messaging. Traditional advertisements promoting mammograms rarely included a multicultural perspective; even when they did, they still were not’t enough to get women to go to the area’s three breast care centers. “The church is the main cog of the African-American community, and that’s where we needed to go to launch a grassroots effort,” said Davis. “Black women simply weren’t going to come to our breast care centers.”

In 2010, ETMC Tyler launched its Pin-A-Sister program in Tyler. Modeled after a program in Chicago, the campaign uses a strategy that has long been successful in the African-American community: Get the church involved. Breast cancer survivors provide personal testimonies at their home churches through East Texas Pin-A-Sister. In addition, churches host Pin-A-Sister ceremonies in which participating women pin each other with pink ribbons and pledge to take better care of themselves by getting annual screening mammograms. To date, 6,500 African-American women in Smith County have been pinned.

“We are honored to receive this award, and we are excited to share the enthusiasm and results East Texas Pin-A-Sister has generated within our community,” said Elmer G. Ellis, FACHE, ETMC Tyler president/chief executive officer.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) – Alaska corrections officials say confessed serial killer Israel Keyes was mistakenly issued a razor before he committed suicide. A report released Wednesday by the Alaska Department of Corrections also says “it appears that razor was not retrieved.” It does not say how Keyes died – only that it was a suicide. Keyes’ body was found in his cell Dec. 2, months before he was to have gone trial in the 2012 slaying of 18-year-old Anchorage barista Samantha Koenig. He had been arrested in Lufkin, Texas. Before his suicide, Keyes told investigators he had killed Koenig and at least seven other people across the country, including Bill and Lorraine Currier of Essex, Vt. Investigators believe there could be more victims in Washington, Oregon and Texas. Corrections officials didn’t immediately return phone calls from the AP Wednesday.