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KILGORE — Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton has been appointed Chair of the East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors at the group’s semi-annual meeting. Commissioner Hampton has served on the Board of Directors for eight years and says she’s looking forward to leading the board in the upcoming year. “It is an honor to serve as Board Chair for the East Texas Council of Governments. This organization helps Smith County and all surrounding counties work together for a greater mutual benefit,” Commissioner Hampton said.

The outgoing Chair, Emory Mayor Cay House, also presented Commissioner Hampton with the 2010 Chairman’s Service Award during the meeting. Mayor House said that Commissioner Hampton went above and beyond her duties as a board member and made it her mission to help members of ETCOG work together, bridge differences and reach goals throughout the year.

The East Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. ETCOG provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers and job seekers; peace officer training and homeland security planning services; rural transportation services; business finance programs; grant writing services; and environmental grant funding for the region.

NACOGDOCHES — Police on Thursday arrested a third person in connection with Monday night’s stabbing death of Thomas Grimes, 49, at a North Street apartment complex where he lived. Melinda Long-Smith, 22, is charged of tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension for allegedly helping homicide suspect Nathan Welsh elude police officers Tuesday. According to KETK, Grimes was found at about 10:50 p.m. Monday outside his apartment suffering from multiple stab wounds, which police say stemmed from a disturbance inside his Austin Place apartment. Milton Brown, 18, was arrested for murder earlier this week in connection with the stabbing.

TYLER – Tyler’s most outstanding citizen is retired oncologist Dr. Gary T. Kimmel. He was presented the T.B. Butler Award Thursday night at the annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Kimmel, who moved to Tyler in the mid 70s, retired in 2001. He is the founder and board president of the Cancer Foundation for Life. Also at the meeting, the W.C. Windsor Award was presented to Sharon Brown Wynne. She’s an active community volunteer and current president of the Junior League of Tyler. This award goes to someone under the age of 40 who has contributed greatly to the community.

Other awards presented Thursday night: Brookshire Grocery Company was named Large Business of the Year, and Janie’s Cakes was honored as the Small Business of the Year. B.J. Hornbostel was a double winner, taking home the Volunteer of the Year and Mary Howes Awards. The Howes Award was given to Hornbostel for her work with the Chamber’s Contact Club. Lynda York was gaveled in as Chamber Board Chairman for the new fiscal year as the meeting came to a close.

TYLER — As dry weather persists, several counties have issued burn bans. On Thursday, a 7-day emergency burn ban was declared for Rusk County, according to KETK. Other area counties forbidding outdoor burning include Angelina, Gregg, Panola, Harrison, and Henderson. East Texas has been hit with a number of brush fires in recent days due to the dry and sometimes windy weather.

TYLER — Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming Thursday announced the organization’s opposition to Tyler ISD’s proposed $89.8 million bond on the upcoming November 2 ballot. Fleming says after a careful review of the bond package details, the Grassroots Board of Directors and Watchdog Committee found the bond package lacking in details necessary to ensure taxpayers the wisest long-term use of tax dollars.

Fleming says” In good faith, we invited TISD officials to make their presentation to us last week. We spent more than two hours viewing their plans and asking questions. Bottom line – the district is not ready for this. There are just too many unanswered questions for taxpayers to take a $90 million risk and hope the district figures out the details later.”

Fleming claims the answers to the following questions are unknown:

1. TISD officials say they are working on preliminary steps regarding the standing desegregation order. How will possible future lifting of this order impact attendance zones and facility needs?

2. The TISD Superintendent plans alternative grade configurations – pairing and housing certain grades together. What is the plan? How will it change grade alignments/facilities/annual operating costs/academics? Will we need more facilities or fewer?

3. Where will the new proposed Rice Elementary School be built? Existing site? New location? If new location, where? Is there a vacant 15-acre parcel of land in the Rice attendance zone? If not, will the district use eminent domain to secure the new site?

4. TISD officials indicate there will be future opportunities to close or re-purpose some of the existing middle schools? Which ones? How soon? At what impact to long-term costs?

5. How much will it cost annually to operate the proposed new middle school (teachers, staff, utilities, supplies, maintenance, etc.)? TISD officials say that “it could cost up to $2 million in additional operating costs” and state “it is difficult to know how much it will cost until boundaries are determined and enrollments and staffing can be calculated.”

6. How will the added cost of operating the proposed new middle school be funded since the District’s maintenance and operating portion of the tax rate is at the cap, and the 2010-2011 budget is currently balanced with $5 million in federal stimulus funds held in the State’s Rainy Day fund?

Fleming added:

· “Tyler ISD has had no real conversation with the community stakeholders (parents, homeowners, business owners) to discuss and reevaluate the district needs and priorities. They still have no public hearings posted, and we are less than 30 days away from the election.”

· “TISD says the bond election won’t increase the tax rate. This is misleading. The truth is, when the old bonds ($221 million – principal only – from 2004 and 2008 bond elections) pay off, taxes are expected to go down. This is like paying off a huge credit card balance one day and running up a new balance the next day. Your payments might not go up, but you are still in debt! We can no longer ignore debt in this country – debt at any level of government. If the district can stuff another $90 million into the debt portion of the tax rate, this means there’s enough room to reduce taxes. Keeping taxes at the higher rate is a tax increase. To say it any other way is just wrong.”

Fleming concluded, “With so much uncertainty in the economy as a whole – and with rising debt piled on taxpayers and future generations by federal and state government – here at the local level, taxpayers need, want, and deserve clearly-defined long-range plans. We need to know what the plans are and how much they will cost us. We need to understand what results we can expect from the plans. We need a chance to discuss it as a community before we vote to add more local debt. Grassroots America – We the People urges voters to reject the Tyler ISD bond package. Bad planning, bad timing, too many unanswered questions = a debt risk we can’t afford!” You can go to http://www.gawtp.com to learn more about Fleming’s group.

Earlier, Senator Kevin Eltife and former Mayor Joey Seeber announced that the VOTE YES Committee will again support the bond issue. Eltife and Seeber say based on the age, capacity for growth and condition of the aging portable buildings on their campuses, it becomes more cost effective to build and maintain replacement schools. Eltife says, “We fully recognize that these are tough economic times and we hope to educate the voters on the need to continue with our phased approach to upgrading our school facilities.”

TYLER — A new twist in the case of a Smith County 2-year-old who survived after accidentally shooting himself in the head in the family’s bar. Family members tell KETK off-camera that Jaden McLean has been temporarily placed in foster care. There’s a gag order on the case, but sources tell the station that Dustin — Jaden’s father, who had main custody — was seen taking the boy back into the same bar where the shooting happened. The sources say that raised a flag with Child Protective Services. Jaden’s grandfather, Charles McLean, is free on bond after being charged with one count of making a firearm accessible to a child. Authorities say the boy wandered into an office at the bar and found the gun on a desk.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality. The Joint Commission awarded Mother Frances Hospital Disease-Specific Care Certification for cervical and lumbar spine treatment in the Spine Center and for hip and knee replacement in the Joint Replacement Center. To earn these distinctions, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Trinity Mother Frances does the right things and does them well for Spine Center and Joint Replacement Center patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

“We voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” said Chris Glenney, vice president of operations, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. “We are proud to achieve this distinction that offers yet another aspect of differentiation for our Spine and Joint Replacement Centers.” According to press materials, The independent, not-for-profit Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

HENDERSON — A Henderson man found guilty of bomb threats gets ten years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, probated for the full period — plus 180 days in jail as a condition of probation. On Thursday, following thirty minutes of jury deliberation, 20-year-old Lorenzo A. Luna had been convicted on three counts of felony terroristic threats for phoning in the threats to Henderson High School. Authorities say Luna phoned in three bomb threats, on Aug. 27 and 28 and on Sept. 1. Henderson High School was on lockdown and evacuated all three times. No bomb was found. The jury didn’t buy the defense contention that the bomb threats were merely pranks and thus only constituted misdemeanor offenses. Each charge carried a sentence of two to ten years in prison or two to ten years’ probation.

TYLER — Fire has damaged the Hudson Apartments on Shiloh Road. The blaze, with flames and smoke visible for blocks, was reported around 7:30 Wednesday night. At least eight apartments were damaged and around a dozen persons were displaced, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but KETK reports fire officials have determined that the blaze ignited in a sub-floor between the first and second stories, where electrical wiring can be found. Investigators say faulty wiring is a possible cause. Electricians will be called in to inspect the accident this week.

Meanwhile, the Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting at least nine families affected by the fire. Executive Director Tammy Prater says the agency was assisting families most of Wednesday night and have been continuing their case work. “Residential fires are the single most common disaster threat in our area each year,” says Pratter, “and for a family that has lost everything, a home or apartment fire is just as devastating as a major tornado or hurricane. We are providing fire victims with assistance with food, clothing, prescriptions, temporary shelter, and other special needs the families may have.”

Prater continued, “Because of the number of families that are affected by this fire, our funds have been greatly depleted.” Prater said the blaze was expected to deplete at least 20% of the chapter’s entire disaster budget for the year. “Monies to fund this and other disaster operations come solely from local donations and we are asking for the community’s help,” said Prater.

The Smith County Red Cross Chapter responded to more than 146 home fires last year in East Texas, and provided over 480 individuals (almost 50 % were children) with immediate emergency assistance. To find out how you can help or for further information call 903-581-7981. To make a monetary donation, you can visit http://www.smithcounty.redcross.org or send money to to P. O. Box 8588, Tyler, TX 75711.

LONGVIEW — An apartment in a house and a nearby storage building have been destroyed in a Longview fire. The fire, in the 100 block of Sydney Street, was reported around 6:15 Wednesday night. No injuries were reported. Investigators say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears to be suspicious. It appears as if the fire started in the back yard.

KILGORE — Gregg County authorities have arrested a suspect in a weekend shooting. Ricky Lynn Walker, 21, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the early Sunday morning shooting. It happened at Tony’s Wild Thing on Texas 31 west of Kilgore. The wounded man remains hospitalized following emergency surgery.

TYLER – A Rusk County man is among those indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler. Victor Hernandez, Jr., 30, of Henderson, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he could receive a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine not to exceed $4,000,000.00 or both. In addition, he could receive a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

The indictment alleges that from in or about October of last year until the defendant’s arrest on September 22 of thus year, Hernandez knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to possess, with the intent to distribute, and distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

And the grand jury indicted Gabriel Huerta Cruz, 34, of San Luis de la Paz, Guanajato, Mexico was indicted on charges of being an alien found unlawfully present in the United States after previous deportation. If convicted, he could receive a term of imprisonment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to$250,000.00 or both. In addition, the defendant could receive a term of supervised release of not more than three years and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.

The indictment alleges that on July 25, Gabriel Huerta-Cruz was arrested by deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department for driving while intoxicated. Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE) was contacted by the state authorities based on Huerta-Cruz’s suspected illegal status in the U.S. On August 20, it was determined that he was illegally in the United States. The investigation also revealed that Huerta-Cruz is a Mexican national and that he was previously deported to Mexico on May 17, 2005 after an aggravated felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — City of Tyler online and phone-based payment was unavailable for public use due to maintenance upgrades over the weekend. It is back up and operational today. Additionally, on Wednesday, October 13, and Thursday, October 14, the Click 2 Gov (online payments) will be inaccessible due to maintenance. The phone system will be available for payments where applicable.

* In lieu of online, Water Department customers may make payments in one of two drop boxes located at 511 W. Locust and in front of Brookshires at Rice Road and Broadway.
* The Municipal Courts will be extending due dates for two days in deference to the maintenance.

* During this maintenance period, water payments can be made in person at the Water Business Office located at 511 W. Locust in addition to the drop boxes listed above, or by calling (903) 531-1230.
* Building Permit Customers may pay in person at 423 W. Ferguson.
* Municipal Court customers may pay in person at 813 N. Broadway; however, not by telephone. Again, all Court due dates will be extended by two days to allow those wishing to use the online system to do so.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber holds its annual meeting Thursday night at Harvey Convention Center. The community’s top citizens will be honored with the T.B. Butler and W.C. Windsor Awards, and other kudos will also be handed out. Along with that, there’ll be a review of the Chamber’s work program for the just-ended fiscal year. There’s a reception at six, with dinner at 7, and you can still get a ticket by calling the Chamber office at (903) 592-1661.

WASHINGTON, D.C — It’s back to the drawing board for the Lake Columbia project. According to KETK, the Environmental Protection Agency has rejected the current plan to build Lake Columbia. They say the statement needs more information on threatened and endangered species. The proposed lake will be a 10,000-acre water supply in the Mud Creek flood plain, spanning toward Cherokee County.

TYLER — The drowning of a young Tyler girl has been ruled accidental and no charges will be filed in the case. On September 20th, on her second birthday, Ava Faith Ayers drowned in a back yard swimming pool at 3721 Arlington. Investigators say a 16 year old was babysitting the two year old and her 3 year old sister. The teen was talking to someone who had stopped by the house when the 2 year old went out the back door and fell into the pool. The youngster was transported to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Tyler Investigators have received the official autopsy results on the youngster. The results indicated that Ayers died as a result of water in her lungs and there were no signs of foul play. The case was reviewed by the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges were warranted. After reviewing the facts of the case, it has been determined the drowning was accidental and no criminal charges will be pursued.

LONGVIEW — The Southeast Texas Forensics Center in Tyler has issued autopsy results in the death of 80-year-old John Morris, ruling his death a homicide. Morris was seriously injured and hospitalized after being assaulted during the robbery of his bait shop in the 400 block of West Pliler Precise Road in Longview on July 31. He died at Good Shepherd Medical Center on September 21. According to police, the homicide investigation is open and ongoing, and detectives are awaiting the analysis of evidence in the case that may lead to a suspect. There have been no arrests at this time.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information about the robbery to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP. A reward of up to $1000 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Police say any information given will remain confidential.

NACOGDOCHES — Police have arrested the second suspect in the stabbing death of 49-year-old Thomas Grimes, according to a press release from the Nacogdoches Police Department. Nathan Welsh, 22, who is charged with murder, was arrested at about 9:30 Wednesday morning on Park Street at Crisp Road, NPD Public Information Officer Greg Sowell said in the release. KETK reports Grimes was found by his neighbor at about 10:50 p.m. Monday, stabbed multiple times in the torso and was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital soon after arriving.

Though the details of that night are still unclear, police are closer to finding answers, Sowell said. “About all we know right now is they all three knew each other and they were all in the apartment together and there was a disturbance that ensued, some sort of disagreement, and this man ended up stabbed,” Sowell said. Police on Tuesday arrested 18-year-old Milton Brown, who turned himself in on a murder warrant, in connection with the stabbing, Sowell said. Both Welsh and Brown are listed as homeless.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of October have increased 10.89 percent as compared to the same period in 2009. City officials say Tyler compares favorably to the statewide average improvement of 6.1 percent. The reported revenue of $2,708,404.47 comprises $1,805,602.98 general sales tax revenue and $902,801.49 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from August 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“October is the first month in the City’s fiscal year, and this is a tremendous way to start it off,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “For the 2010/2011 budget, we projected a two percent increase in sales tax collections; beating that projection right out of the gate positions us well moving forward. However, we will continue to be vigilant and monitor the budget closely before beginning to fill positions that we have held vacant in response to the slower economy.”

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – An administrator at UT Tyler is among four semifinalists for the presidency of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Peter J. Fos is provost and executive vice president at UTT. The UL system says the search committee plans to recommend at least two finalists next Wednesday, after on-campus interviews Monday and Tuesday. Other semifinalists are J. William Berry, professor and executive vice president and provost at the University of Dallas; Nick Bruno, UL System vice president for business and finance; and Thomas F. Moore, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.

TYLER — Police say it’s not too late to sign up for a block party for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. At last report, according to KETK, over 60 block parties had registered so far for this year’s event in the City of Tyler. Police say this is your last chance this week to register your block party by calling the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096 or going to http://www.tylerpolice.com to register online.

Police say the Texans Against Crime program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. The T.A.C. program encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime.

According to police, the Texans Against Crime program promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. Police add that the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. Police say getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

TYLER — United States Attorney John M. Bales announced Wednesday that two men have pleaded guilty in Tyler to participating in a multi-state health care fraud scheme. Kevin Onwudiwe, 36, of Houston, pleaded guilty late Tuesday during an appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie. Jasper Ogbonna, 41, of Newark, Delaware, pleaded guilty before Judge Guthrie on September 27. A sentencing date has not been set for either man.

According to information presented in Court, from August 2005 through April 2008, Ogbonna controlled and operated Matrix Medical Equipment and Supplies, Inc., in Weirton, West Virginia. Onwudiwe assisted in the operation of Nicco Medical Services, LLC in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both companies provided durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries.

Ogbonna, Onwudiwe and their co-conspirators devised and carried out a scheme to defraud Medicare through the marketing of “ortho kits,” which consisted of a bag of orthotic items such as braces, wraps and supports. As part of the scheme, Ogbonna, Onwudiwe and their co-conspirators illegally obtained protected Medicare beneficiary health information, including names, dates of birth, and Medicare and Social Security numbers from elderly individuals. Approximately 509 Medicare beneficiaries in Texas and Louisiana were supplied with “ortho kits” which were not prescribed or authorized by a physician and were not wanted by the beneficiaries. In many instances, physicians’ signatures were forged and false claims were submitted by Medicare in the names of Medicare beneficiaries who were deceased.

Using protected health information, the defendants and their co-conspirators billed between $4,850 and $6,550 for each “ortho kit,” causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare of more than $2.8 million dollars. As a result of these claims, Ogbonna, Onwudiwe and their co-conspirators unlawfully obtained more than $1,095,000.00 from Medicare.

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (OAG-MFCU). The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Nathaniel Kummerfeld.

BULLARD – A boil water notice from the City of Bullard is lifted Wednesday morning. Bullard Director of Public Works David Hortman says the boil notice went into effect Tuesday after a water main break. According to KETK, this morning, all test results were clean. The water is now safe to drink without boiling.

NACOGDOCHES — Investigators have one person in custody and are searching for another in the death of a Nacogdoches man. He was stabbed multiple times shortly after 10:45 Monday night at the Austin Place Apartments in the 3200 block of North Street. Thomas Grimes, 49, was found covered in blood in the apartment’s parking lot. Investigators believe the disturbance started inside Grimes’ apartment.

Arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Nacogdoches Police Department was Milton Brown, 18. The homeless man had been named in a murder warrant. Another homeless man has also been name in a murder warrant. He is identified as Nathan Welsh, 22. Nacogdoches police describe Welsh as a black male about 5’6” and weighing around 142 pounds. They say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

BIG SANDY — A big 10 to 12 acre fire north of Big Sandy has been contained. KETK-TV reports it was reported around 1:00 Tuesday afternoon with firemen from Big Sandy, Pritchett and Pleasant Grove Fire Departments along with crews from the Texas Forrest Service responding. Officials say the fire was started by a train.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Texas toy company has filed a lawsuit alleging toy maker MGA Entertainment stole its idea for a tiny robotic bug. Innovation First Inc. filed the suit in Hunt County, Texas last week over its Hexbug Nano toy. The lawsuit alleges that MGA copied Innovation First and marketed a copycat called “Legend of Nara Battling Bugs.”

The Greenville, Texas company is seeking damages and MGA’s profits from selling its version of the thumb-sized insect robots, plus interest. An MGA spokeswoman did not immediately return a call or e-mail.

MGA is also in a legal battle with toy giant Mattel over who owns the popular Bratz doll line. A California appeals court overturned a $100 million reward for Mattel in that case.
It will be retried in January.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association has recognized seven graduates as the 2010 Distinguished Alumni, Derrith Bondurant, director of alumni and foundation relations, announced. Dr. Wesley Dennis, Dr. Fredrick W. Kersh, Rick Rayford and Scott Rhame are recipients of the Professional Achievement and Attainment Award. Melinda Hermanns is recipient of the Young Alumni Award. Two awards added this year are the Service Award and Recognition Award. Terrence R. Ates and Michael J. Collins are the recipients, respectively. The seven outstanding alumni will be featured at a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. till 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. The event is part of UTT’s 2010 Homecoming. Honorees are chosen based on outstanding contributions to their chosen profession, the university, or service organizations since graduation from UT Tyler.

Dennis earned a bachelor of science degree from UT Tyler in 1989. A native of Athens, he serves as the Arlington Sleep Disorder Center medical director and has been a neurologist in private practice since 1998. Dennis is a past chair of the Neuroscience Department and past director of Neurological Rehabilitation Unit – Medical Center of Arlington.

A preeminent physician in the field of family practice, Kersh earned a bachelor of science degree from UT Tyler in 1982. He serves as medical director for the Direct RehabMed Business Health in Tyler and was a past medical director of the Emergency Centers for East Texas Medical Center.

Rayford earned a bachelor of business administration degree from UT Tyler in 1976. He’s served as president and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company since 2007. A 39-year partner of Brookshire’s, Rayford currently serves on the UT Tyler Development Board, UT Tyler College of Business and Technology Corporate Advisory Board and Regional East Texas Food Bank Board.

Rhame earned a master of arts from UT Tyler in 1975. Retired in May, he served as a high school band teacher, most recently at Carlisle High School. During his 41-year career, he received numerous honors as well as regional and state awards, including 13 consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards for his bands, and was a three-time Texas Music Association Honor Band winner.

Hermanns earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees from UT Tyler in 1995 and 1998, respectively. An assistant professor of nursing at UT Tyler, she has been recognized for her psychiatric mental health and Parkinson’s Disease research and scholarly excellence in clinical simulation. She holds leadership in the East Texas chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Ates earned bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from UT Tyler in 2006 and 2008, respectively. He is the Tyler Prostate Cancer Awareness Program manager and People Educating Communities about Tobacco chair. Ates also is a planning member of the Tobacco Law Enforcement Conference and Prostate Health Initiative for Gregg and Smith Counties, as well as a member of several regional health coalitions and committees.

A licensed private investigator, Collins earned a bachelor of business administration degree from UT Tyler in 1994. He is the owner of Collins Investigations. A UT Tyler Alumni Life member since 2001, Collins also has served on the UT Tyler Development Board and as Alumni Association president since 2007.

TYLER — A local state House race takes center stage at a Tyler candidate forum. Republican District 7 hopeful David Simpson met Libertarian opponent Eric Brandt in the League of Women Voters event. Both support the tea party movement, and both have fiscal concerns. Brandt favors an extremely lean government, while Simpson is looking to cut spending and “stop chasing federal dollars.”

Several candidates were available for one-on-one questioning but didn’t take part in the forum because their opponents did not appear. The candidates on hand included Libertarian Charles Parkes III, who opposes incumbent Republican Louie Gohmert and independent Trent Gale in the District 1 congressional race. Also available was Democrat Lenis Pierce, who’s running against Republican District Attorney Matt Bingham. Democrat Blake Bailey was at the forum as well; he opposes the GOP’s Eva Guzman and Libertarian Jack Armstrong in the race for State Supreme Court, Place 9. In other activity at the forum, two entries from Whitehouse High School and one from Robert E. Lee were announced as winners in a student video competition on getting out the vote.

LONGVIEW — After a two day battle, a wildfire in North Longview is under control. The blaze started Saturday afternoon off Airline Road and East Plyler Precise. KETK reports it was finally contained early Monday morning, but smoke continued to waft into a nearby neighborhood. Fire officials say the smoke isn’t a danger, but an emergency burn ban has been issued for Gregg County.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – A jury in Tyler has ordered Apple to pay $625.5 million for violating patents owned by a firm founded by a computer science professor. Apple Inc. is challenging Friday’s verdict from the federal court in Tyler, saying the court has not yet looked at some of its counterclaims. If upheld, the verdict would be one of the largest in a patent suit. The plaintiff is Mirror Worlds, a company founded by David Gelernter of Yale University to commercialize his ideas. The patents cover characteristic Mac features such as Cover Flow, which lets the users skim through album covers or other content as if they were leaves in a book. Another is Time Machine, which performs automatic backups.