KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Rusk County Crime Stoppers are asking the public for information leading to the arrest of three suspects responsible for a burglary at Clayton’s Mini Mart, Farm Road 322 North, in Elderville, May 28. Authorities say an alarm call triggered the investigation.

An arriving deputy discovered the front door of the business was forced open. The owner confirmed that a safe, money, and lottery tickets had been removed from the store. The total amount of loss was approximately $14,000; in addition to approximately $700 in property damage. Later that afternoon, authorities say a safe had been found on Etheridge Road, in Longview which later was identified as the safe missing from the store. The safe had been pried open.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-TIPS(8477) or call Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at 903-657-3581.

TYLER (AP) – A recent high school graduate from Louisiana has been identified as the passenger killed when a church van crashed and rolled in East Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday identified the victim as J’Marco Jewel Greenard, 19. DPS says the van blew a tire Saturday while eastbound on Interstate Highway 20, about 12 miles northeast of Tyler. Nine other passengers were hurt. Cotton Valley, La., High School Principal Beatha Brantley says Greenard graduated in May. DPS listed Greenard’s hometown as Arcadia, Texas., but Brantley says he was from Cotton Valley. DPS had no information on the van’s church affiliation. The Shreveport Times reports the van was from Mount Sariah Baptist Church in Cotton Valley. The church’s voice mail was full Monday and not accepting messages.

TYLER — A motorcyclist has been killed in a two vehicle accident. Dead at the scene was Adam Clark Beddinghauf, 26, of Tyler. According to investigators, just before 12:30 Saturday morning, a 2010 Honda motorcycle was traveling westbound on Highway 64, just under two miles west of Tyler, when it struck a 1996 Pontiac traveling in the outside lane. Witnesses say the motorcycle was going at a high rate of speed when it hit the car.

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

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled perform pavement repairs on State Highway 64 west of Tyler in various locations between Loop 323 and Farm Road 724 near the airport. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

Also, TxDOT severs SCR 2297 (Brewer Road) today as part of ongoing construction on Segment 5 of Loop 49. Residents will have access to Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) via SCR 2191.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to begin seal coat operations on Tuesday on State Highway 135 in Jacksonville in the curb-and-gutter section, followed by the same work on Farm Road 2274 between State Highway 204 in Ponta and U.S. Highway 79. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2206 between State Highway 42 and Loop 281 in Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1798 between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 1662 near Laneville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing operations on State Highway 294 between U.S. Highway 79 and Farm Road 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual seal coat preventative maintenance program is scheduled to resume on Monday, June 20, in Van Zandt County. Crews are scheduled to begin on State Highway 19 south of Canton and in the following additional locations:
*FM 751 between the Hunt County Line and FM 47
*SH 198 between SH 64 in Canton and the Kaufman County Line
*FM 315 between FM 279 and Henderson County Line
*FM 47 between SH 243 and SH 198 Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 778 south of Farm Road 49 and U.S. Highway 80, followed by the same work on Farm Road 69 north of FM 515 in Coke. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

QUITMAN — On Sunday, countless East Texans lined the streets to watch the procession carrying Sgt. Joshua Powell’s body from Tyler all the way to Powell’s hometown of Quitman. Powell and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet of Gladewater were among those killed in separate incidents June 4 in Afghanistan. KETK reports Powell’s journey Sunday began at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Friends, family, military, motorcycle groups, East Texas law enforcement agencies, and patriotic East Texans welcomed the fallen soldier. Joshua’s uncle, Faron Petty, was among them.

“Well, he’s just a country boy, I guess you’d say,” Petty remarked. “He likes hunting and fishing, and I don’t know, most people have already heard — he volunteered for his fifth tour over there to take the place of other fallen soldiers that had just happened. And he went back and of course him and two other gentlemen and a young lady lost their life.”

Petty says he wasn’t prepared for just how many people stood on the streets to show support for his nephew. “No…we knew there would be several people, but not that many. And then when we turned on Main Street and saw the flags on the ladder truck, it was just all we could stand just about,” Petty said. Before Sunday’s procession, Petty said it’s a hard time for the family, but they are all very proud of Joshua. “These guys are out here doing the best they can and people really need to be behind them and support them. They’re giving their life for this…that’s…that’s all I can say,” Petty said. Funeral services for Sgt. Powell are this Tuesday morning at 9 at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Quitman.

TYLER — A Smith County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after reportedly driving while intoxicated. Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Garmon says that deputy Albert Lee Hill was found passed out in his car at the intersection of Sunnybrook and Old Jacksonville Highway around 11:30Friday night. Garmon says Hill was released from the Smith County Jail Saturday on a $500 bond. An internal investigation is underway, and Garmon says Hill has been indefinitely suspended for now.

TYLER — Investigators continue to probe a Friday night house fire in which one person was injured. It happened off the 4800 block of Picadilly in Tyler. Neighbors tell KETK an elderly couple lives in the house. Fire officials say they received the call at 10:07 p.m. They say when they arrived, smoke could be seen coming from the house, and they found a woman lying outside in the front yard. She was taken to a local hospital. There’s no word on her condition. Officials added that there is extensive damage to the inside of the house. No word yet on the cause of the fire. Neighbors believe oxygen tanks could be the cause.

EAST TEXAS — If the tough economy is still making it hard for you or someone you know to find a job, Workforce Solutions East Texas is offering a chance to reconnect with the workforce. The agency will host two re-employment conferences, one in Tyler on June 22 and one in Longview on June 23, designed to polish skills and revive those affected by the recession. The Tyler conference is at Harvey Convention Center, with the Longview event set for Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. Both run from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Conference workshops include: Life Lessons…How to Achieve Business & Personal Success with Steven Zipkoff; Make Smart Career Decisions through the Career Pathways System with Hans Meeder; an Entrepreneurial Seminar with Dr. Connie Sitterly; Organizing Next with Terry Carlile; The Seven Steps to a Turnaround with Columbus Copeland; Connect the Dots networking workshop with David Crumbaugh; and Give Me Some Credit: From Recession to Progression financial management course with James Guess. The conferences are free to attend. Space is limited and registration is required to assure seating. For more information, you can email [email protected] or call 903.984.8641 x224.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) – Jury selection continues today in the East Texas-connected trial of Bobbi Parker in Mangum, Oklahoma. Another person was placed on a panel of prospective jurors Friday in the case of the former Oklahoma prison warden’s wife accused of helping an inmate she allegedly fell in love with escape. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says there were 21 possible jurors on the panel when jury selection concluded Friday. Attorneys plan to pick 22 prospective jurors from which Parker’s 12-member jury will be chosen. Parker is accused of helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Prosecutors allege she ran away with him, but defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued in 2005 at a Shelby County, Texas, chicken ranch. Parker has pleaded not guilty.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from community members to serve on City boards and commissions. The deadline to apply is Aug. 5, and appointments will be made by the City Council at its Aug. 24 meeting. Persons who are appointed to serve on a City of Tyler board or commission will serve voluntarily, without pay, for a two-year term. The boards and commissions include:

Regular Boards (Boards that meet monthly or bi-monthly)

Airport Advisory Board
Historical Preservation Board
Keep Tyler Beautiful Board
Library Board
Neighborhood Revitalization Board
One-Half Cent Sales Tax Board
Parks Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
North East Texas Public Health District Board
Traffic Safety Board

Periodic Boards (Boards that meet only as needed)

Board of Adjustment (Zoning)
Civil Service Commission
Construction Board of Adjustments
Disabilities Issue Review Board
Health Facilities Development Corp.
Industrial Development Corp.

To serve on a board or commission, applicants must reside inside the City limits and should not have any delinquent City taxes, City utilities or other City assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims or claim against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions.
“This is a perfect way for citizens to plug in and get involved in shaping our community,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The City’s boards and commissions play a vital role in making recommendations to City Council.”

“Boards and Commissions fulfill an important role in City government by evaluating issues which affect our community and making recommendations to the Council for needed action,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “It is important that we get vacancies on the boards filled.” Anyone interested in serving can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to complete an application online. Applications can also be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, or you can call the City Clerk at (903) 531-1106 and have an application faxed or mailed to you.

SMITH COUNTY — A teenager has died, and others have been injured, in a church van crash near Tyler. Members from a church in Louisiana were visiting an East Texas waterpark this weekend. As they were headed back home Saturday evening, their van, carrying children and adults, ran off the road.

Around 6 p.m., church members still gathered on the hill where the accident happened on I-20 near Barber Road. They tell KETK several vehicles were in a caravan coming back from the waterpark when a tire burst on the van. Witnesses say there were around 11 people in the van, and several were thrown from the vehicle. 19-year-old J’Amarco Greenard, or J.J. as his friends and family call him, was pinned under the van. Church members say he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other children and adults were taken to Tyler hospitals. Two were flown by helicopter. The church members say they are making sure friends and family in Louisiana know what happened so they can head to East Texas.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested two suspects in three recent indecent exposure cases. Investigators have arrested 28-year-old David Humphries of Tyler for indecent exposure. On May 21, officers were notified by Sears security personnel that they had seen an individual expose himself with intent to sexually gratify himself. On May 27, officers contacted two females from Grande Hill Estates at 1505 Grande. They indicated that while they were swimming, an individual came to the pool area and exposed himself with intent to sexually gratify himself. The investigators were able to identify the suspect as 17-year-old Michael York of Flint.

Investigators have also identified Michael York (pictured) as allegedly responsible for another case of indecent exposure. Investigators have charged him with exposing himself with intent to sexually gratify himself at Cumberland Place Apartments, 2051 West Cumberland Road. Police allege he again went to the pool area and exposed himself to a female. York has been charged with two counts of class B misdemeanor indecent exposure, and David Humphries has been charged with one count of class B misdemeanor indecent exposure.

Police are reminding you to be aware of your surroundings and notify the police of any suspicious activity. In these cases, police say, you should be prepared to provide identifying information on individual suspects.

LONGVIEW — The Greater Longview United Way dipped into its reserve funds to make sure all partner agencies had the same funding allocations for 2011 as they’d had for 2010, executive director Donna Mahurin said Thursday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the United Way board completed its funding allocations earlier this week. Although the umbrella agency didn’t meet its campaign goal this year, the board chose not to decrease funding to the 39 programs of its 21 partner agencies, she said. The programs will receive a combined $968,697 in funding. “We didn’t miss the goal by much, but we still missed it,” Mahurin said. “However, we’ve been able to make up some of the difference through grants and other sources, so our overall impact on the community is, if anything, greater now than it has been in the past.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler begins a yearlong 40th anniversary celebration. The “40th Anniversary and Still Growing” kick-off started at 11 a.m. Friday in the University Center theater. The official anniversary logo was revealed, and officials presented a film retrospective of the university’s past. “UT Tyler is a truly special place with a rich history and bright future. I’m excited about what this wonderful institution has done for people all across East Texas, and what it will continue to do,” President Dr. Rodney Mabry said. Other events throughout the year, including a Founders Dinner, will incorporate the anniversary theme.

UT Tyler was founded on June 10, 1971 as Tyler State College. The school was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975 and then joined the UT System in 1979 as a result of action by the 66th Texas Legislature. Originally an upper-division and graduate institution, UT Tyler began educating freshman and sophomore students in 1998, creating a complete university with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Doctoral degrees were added in 2007 and 2011. Visit http://www.uttyler.edu/anniversary for more information.

JEFFERSON — A man charged with murder is released this week. Marion County authorities said bond for 49-year-old Troy Long was reduced from $275,000 to $10,000 because of his heart condition. Long is charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Donte Mitchell, who was dating Long’s daughter. Mitchell was found dead May 13 with a gunshot wound to his neck after a domestic disturbance at Long’s house. Long doesn’t have a history of repeated violent offenses and officials don’t believe Long is a flight risk. Jury selection is set Aug. 23.

HENDERSON — Sadler’s Smokehouse in Henderson confirms 500,000 gallons of wastewater spills into a local waterway. A barrier collapsed at a waste water facility earlier this week. According to KETK, the facility holds wastewater with leftover grease and animal by-products. Residents who live near the plant have been complaining about its smell. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been investigating the stench for weeks, and the city of Henderson is also investigating the contaminated water.

TYLER – Michael Shanklin, Executive Director for the Discovery Science Place, announced to the museum board of directors that he has accepted the position of CEO at the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena, Califirnia, as of August 1. Shanklin is a native of the southern California area, and the move will allow him to move closer to his family. DSP officials say it is also an outstanding opportunity to work with one of the premier children’s museums in the area.

“It was very bittersweet to hear of the future plans for Michael and his family,” expressed Colleen Colby, President of the Discovery Science Place Board of Directors. “We are happy that he has found a position that allows him to be closer to his ailing father while allowing him to further his career goals of educating young children, but he will be missed as a part of the Discovery Science Place family.”

Making his way to East Texas from the Discovery Gateway museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, Shanklin came to Discovery Science Place in April, 2008. Under his direction, Discovery Science Place added over 10 new exhibits with several new exhibits pending, updated an exhibit gallery, completed a lobby and courtyard remodel, and was recognized as one of the Top 25 Science Centers in the nation by Parents magazine. In 2009, Discovery Science Place was named Best Downtown Business by the Texas Downtown Business Association. Shanklin has been a member of The Tyler Rotary Club, a Leadership Tyler graduate and an Ex-Officio with Heart of Tyler Board. He has also served on the Smith County Child Welfare Board and with the Star Canyon Home Owners Association.

To celebrate the accomplishments of Shanklin and his museum team over the past three years, the community will be invited to attend a special celebration on Sunday, July 10, 2011. More details regarding the event will be announced as the date draws near.

The Discovery Science Place board of director’s is forming a committee, led by Board President-Elect Henry Bell, which will perform a nationwide search for a new executive director of the 18-year old hands-on museum. “We are fortunate that, with Michael’s leadership, the board of directors and the museum staff have a clear vision and plan for Discovery Science Place,” explained Bell. “This will allow us to continue the business of providing museum guests with an engaging and fun hands-on environment while searching for the most appropriate leader for one of the Tyler area’s best informal educational destinations.”

According to press materials, Discovery Science Place is a non-profit, hands-on learning environment whose purpose is to open young minds to science, technology, math and cultures in order to meet the challenges of the future. Located at 308 N. Broadway in downtown Tyler, the museum is supported by grants, donations, admissions, memberships and special events. For more information, visit the website at http://www.discoveryscienceplace.org or call (903) 533-8011.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Huntington Volunteer firefighter died battling a blaze in a wooded area behind his home Thursday afternoon off Billy Clark Road in Huntington. David Goins, 47, was found dead by a Texas Forest Service spotter plane out investigating smoke in the area. The forest service then contacted the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.

Goins started his career with the city of Lufkin, and had been a volunteer with Huntington since 1988, holding the titles of lieutenant, captain and lastly, assistant chief, Huntington Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry LaSalle said.

Goins leaves behind three sons and a multitude of family and friends, Clark said. Angelina County Sheriff Kent Henson said an autopsy has been ordered.

TYLER — Tyler Police were called to East Texas Medical Center emergency room around 2:30 Friday morning in reference to an aggravated assaulted at Lake Tyler. The victim claims he met a man at a gas station and invited him to join his family at the Hwy 64 East boat ramp. He claims he did not know the suspect.

Officers say while at the boat ramp the victim said the suspect made several sexually suggestive comments about his family members. The victim claims he decided leave when he was struck by a white Jetta, reportedly driven by the suspect. The victim was treated for serious, but non life-threaten injuries. Authorities are searching for the suspect described as white male, 5’0″, 100 pounds and about 25 years old.

Anyone with information about the suspect involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF.

TYLER — During the recent Click It or Ticket enforcement program, officers for the Tyler Police Department working specifically on that initiative wrote a total of 110 citations for seat belt violations and 10 citations for child safety seat violations. That’s according to statistics released Thursday. The statewide program, in which violators were stopped for not wearing their seat belts, ran from May 23 through June 5.

Texas law requires every person sitting in the front or rear seat of a vehicle to wear a safety belt. A child less than eight years old and less than four feet, nine inches tall must be secured in a child safety seat. Drivers can be stopped and ticketed for a safety belt violation if they, or any of their passengers under the age of 15, are not buckled up or properly restrained. Traffic fines for failing to use a seat belt or secure a child in a safety seat can run from $25 to $200, plus court costs.

REESE — Two people killed in a head-on collision west of Jacksonville have been identified as Patricia DeLuna, 17, Jacksonville and Donald Duhon, 74, Wills Point. According to officials, one car was traveling eastbound and the other westbound on Highway 175 near the Reese community when they slammed into each other. Troopers believe the man’s vehicle swerved into the lane where the girl’s vehicle was traveling, but they are not sure why at this time.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of June have increased 6.46 percent as compared to May 2011, resulting in a 3.47 percent cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $2,634,914.84 comprises $1,756,609.88 general sales tax revenue and $878,304.94 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from April 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We continue to see steady, incremental growth in our sales tax revenues as compared to where we were last year,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The relatively greater increase for this month largely reflects an adjustment for prior collections, which means that the last few months’ collections were artificially low. Bottom line, we are up 3.47 percent so far versus the conservative 2 percent growth forecasted.”

The City is already into its 2011-2012 budget preparation cycle. Officials say individual departments have prepared budgets that were submitted to the City Manager in May, and staff-level budget hearings will take place throughout June; the final proposed budget will be presented to the City Council on August 10. “Although sales tax collections continue to increase, we anticipate this will be another tight budget year. We made many cuts last year to offset significantly lower revenue – without dramatically affecting service levels,” added McDaniel. “We are still recovering from those cuts in staffing and the delay of projects. Basically, we will be looking at a ‘maintenance budget’ with no new programming or costly initiatives.”

TYLER — Tyler resident Charles Hollie has been sentenced in Tyler federal court to 24 months in prison for filing false tax returns. Judge Michael Schneider also ordered Hollie to pay $84,668 in restitution to the IRS and to serve one year of supervised release. Hollie was indicted for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on April 7, 2010, and subsequently pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on November 9, 2010.

According to the indictment, plea agreement and other court documents, between 2004 and 2007, Hollie worked as an independent contractor at the Tyler and Athens offices of Preferred Choice Income Tax. Authorities say Hollie held himself out to the public as a tax consultant and expert in preparing individual income tax returns. Hollie prepared more than 1,300 returns that claimed fictitious itemized deductions, home businesses, Earned Income Credits and — in the case of each return for the 2006 tax year — inflated telephone excise tax refund (TETR) credits. TETR was a one-time credit available to taxpayers to refund excise taxes paid on long distance and bundled service for the 41-month period from February 2003 to August 2006.

TYLER — FirstNet Exchange, a Tyler-based organization, has received a grant from the state of Texas to develop and operate a secure health information network for 37 counties in northeast Texas. The state’s ultimate goal is to develop a patient-centered network of electronic medical information that can be securely shared among authorized health care organizations and providers across the region, the state, and, eventually, across the nation.

According to a news release, FirstNet Exchange, a not-for-profit organization established in 1996 by the ETMC Regional Healthcare System, will be one of the state’s first health information networks. FirstNet Exchange will support and, in turn, be governed by hospitals and clinicians throughout northeast Texas. “This system and others like it across the state and nation will eventually be linked to create a range of benefits for medical providers and patients,” said Paula Anthony, CEO for FirstNet Exchange.

“The purpose of a health information network, also known as a health information exchange (HIE), is to share medical information between physicians and hospitals on mutually-treated patients,” Anthony explained. She said FirstNet Exchange will allow physicians and hospitals to quickly access necessary medical information that would otherwise have to be faxed or delivered manually. This could include, for example, information on allergies, current medications, recent lab tests and other diagnostic treatments.

Anthony added, “An HIE such as FirstNet Exchange has the opportunity not just to speed treatment, but also to ensure that the most accurate and timely information is available to health care providers — wherever a patient is treated. Patients whose information is shared via the exchange will have the explicit assurance that all federal and state standards for privacy and security of confidential patient health information will be upheld.”

FirstNet was created 15 years ago with the goal of connecting ETMC hospitals and physicians, but grew quickly over the years to provide a data exchange for numerous East Texas providers. Today, FirstNet’s stakeholders include 15 hospitals and over 600 physicians, and its exchange spans 21 counties.

Anthony feels FirstNet Exchange will offer key advantages in making the process of sharing health information a reality for East Texans. “Our organization has a 15-year history of making it possible for caregivers in our region to share electronic health data,” she explained. “We are excited to extend these services to all providers in East Texas, and to offer the support needed to help doctors and hospitals link their electronic health records to the network.” For those physicians that don’t currently have electronic records systems, FirstNet Exchange will also offer a solution set that will help them meet their federally-defined “meaningful use” objectives, Anthony said. For more information, visit http://www.firstnetexchange.com or contact FirstNet Exchange at 800-328-1638.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday accepted a $60,000 donation from the Spangenberg Family Foundation to Benefit Children’s Education and Healthcare to be used toward playground equipment at City Park and Woldert Park. “We are very thankful for this donation toward playground equipment for City Park and Woldert Park,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “In 2008, the Spangenberg Family Foundation generously donated funds for a playground at Fun Forest Park and we are thrilled that they would continue to support the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department.” The donation will purchase playground equipment that is American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible and targeted toward children age 2 to 12 years.

The Spangenberg Family Foundation was founded by Audrey Spangenberg and her husband and their son. The Foundation has traditionally focused on education and healthcare for children. It currently has an office in Dallas but has extended its support to East Texas. The Foundation has previously provided a donation for playground equipment at the City’s Fun Forest Park.

“This is a great gift for our City,” said Mayor Bass. “Parks play an important role in our community. They are a place where children can enjoy themselves and parents can get to know one another which is the foundation of a strong neighborhood.” Councilmember Ralph Caraway added, “We are very fortunate that the Spangenberg Foundation blessed us with these donations. “These enhancements to these parks will add another dimension to the neighborhoods. I know the community is elated to have this new equipment.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration began today at 11:00 at the University Center Theater. On Friday, June 10, 1971, Governor Preston Smith signed a bill passed by the Texas Legislature, creating Tyler State College. The campus was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975 and became a part of the University of Texas System in 1979.

According to a news release, “The University leadership is deeply indebted to those business and community leaders who, more than 40 years ago, had the foresight and the determination to seek a university for the community and who helped establish a firm foundation for the future. In fact, there are many to thank — 40 years of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, civic and community supporters and elected official — all committed to the mission of the University.”

Included on today’s schedule, according to press materials: Mayor Barbara Bass, speaking about the value of a strong institution of higher learning like The University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler and the region; Austin Bank Chairman of the Board Jeff Austin, Jr. — one of the University’s Founding Board Members — on behalf of the early years; and current President Dr. Rodney H. Mabry. The schedule also includes the unveiling of the 40th Anniversary logo and a brief film will be shown. The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary film features UTT’s three presidents: Founding President Dr. James H. Stewart, Jr. (1972-1981), Dr. George F. Hamm (1981-1998) and Dr. Rodney H. Mabry (1998-present) and tells the founding story through the voice of past and current leaders who helped make the University what it has become today.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was sentenced to two 20-year stints in prison and another 10 years in prison, all to be served concurrently, after being found guilty Wednesday of three sexually-related crimes against a child. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. Victor Manuel Gonzalez was originally indicted by a Nacogdoches County grand jury for five counts of indecency with a child, four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Assistant District Attorney Lauren Gaston said the state chose to pursue four of those counts in a jury trial this week in Judge Ed Klein’s 420th District courtroom. “We went forward with three counts of sexual assault involving a child and one count of indecency with a child, and he was found guilty of all but one count of sexual assault of a child,” Gaston said. “The judge assessed punishment.”

Gonzalez was accused of sexually molesting a younger relative for about six years until an outcry was made, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. The girl, who is now 16, was 8 years old at the time the assaults began. Because the sentences will run concurrently, Gonzalez cannot be in jail longer than 20 years, but must serve 10 before he is eligible for parole, Gaston said.

MARSHALL — The family of a woman who died in the Gregg County Jail files a federal lawsuit against the county, claiming she was denied proper medical attention. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Amy Lynn Cowling’s family on behalf of her three children, alleges her constitutional rights were violated. The lawsuit comes less than six months after her death in the Gregg County Jail and in the same week that another inmate, Micah Aaron Garner, died in the same facility. Cowling, 33, was pronounced dead Dec. 29 at a Longview hospital.

Her official cause of death was ruled “probable” seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal by a Tyler pathologist in March. A second opinion was sought in the ruling because the justice of the peace said he wasn’t happy with Cowling’s cause of death being ruled “probable,” because the manner of death was left up to him to determine.

The second opinion, by a Tarrant County pathologist, resulted in Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson ruling her manner of death as “undetermined” and closed the books despite the pathologist’s recommendation to leave the books open and call the death “suspicious.” Her cause of death was then officials ruled “probable” seizures due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal.The lawsuit claims Gregg County officials failed to provide proper medical treatment to Cowling “by failing to protect her and through indifference to her medical needs.”

It also claims the county ignored Cowling’s constitutional rights and failed to implement the policies, procedures and practices “necessary to provide constitutionally adequate medical services to Cowling during her incarceration in the Gregg County Jail.”

Robert Davis, an attorney who represents the county and Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, disputed the allegations.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Two Texas men have been sentenced to six years in federal prison for smuggling cocaine into Baton Rouge in the door panel of a pickup. U.S. District Judge James Brady sentenced 22-year-old Melesio Noyola of Lufkin and 21-year-old Jonathan Beltran of Eagle Pass on Wednesday. Noyola and Beltran pleaded guilty in 2009 to conspiracy, possession of more than 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime. The case involved more than 15 pounds of uncut cocaine smuggled into Baton Rouge from Austin, Texas, in the pickup.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches Police Department intern was killed around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle rollover accident on State Highway 21 when she was thrown from her pickup. Rebecca Jeanne Gore, 19, of San Augustine, and a Stephen F. Austin State University student, was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital after the accident when her 1998 Ford pickup left the road near FM 226 and rolled over, according to a Department of Public Safety report.