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LUFKIN — A prank call has resulted in a prison term for an Angelina County man. James Tyler Markle, 20, of Diboll, was handed a five year prison sentence Tuesday. State District Judge Barry Bryan said he may consider granting shock probation.

In June of last year, Markle admitted calling a Lufkin McDonald’s Restaurant and telling the employee to “test the fire suppression system.” He also told them to spray the fire extinguisher on a kitchen grill and break out windows. The employee did as was instructed. It cost $5,000 to clean up the damage. Besides the prison term Markle was also ordered to pay restitution to the restaurant and the Lufkin Fire Department.

EMORY — A plane attempting to land on a private airstrip in Rains County has crashed, killing the pilot — a leading citizen in the area. Killed in the crash around 2:00 Tuesday afternoon was John Armstrong, 80, of Emory. Armstrong was the former president at the First National Bank of Emory and the First National Bank of Bonham. He had also served on the Board of Regents at Texas A&M-Commerce. Witnesses say as the plane was coming in for a landing it flipped over on its top and caught fire. The accident happened off Highway 19, about two miles north of Emory. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

TYLER — A trial slated for December 9 is canceled in a lawsuit filed by Tyler-based Texas Spine and Joint Hospital and Physician Hospitals of America. Instead, federal judge Michael Schneider will issue an opinion based on information already gathered. The plaintiffs are challenging a provision of the new health care reform law that curbs development of physician-owned hospitals. The court found that the provision is retroactive but not unconstitutional, and plaintiffs await the explanation to be offered in the opinion. Plaintiffs’ lead counsel Scott Oostdyk says the Supreme Court has always highly disfavored retroactive laws. Oostdyk says the opinion may be issued before Christmas, but possibly not till next year.

The provision in question, Section 6001, prohibits physician-owned Medicare hospitals from expanding after March 23, 2010 and bans construction of any new physician-owned Medicare hospitals that are not Medicare certified prior to December 31, 2010. For TSJH, the issue is a planned $27 million expansion of its existing facility that was well underway at the time of the passage of the PPACA. “We were in the middle of a multi-million dollar expansion project when the bill passed and, like so many other physician-owned hospitals, we were forced to stop immediately,” Tony Wahl, TSJH CEO, noted.

TYLER — This year’s “Miracle Child” representing the Children’s Miracle Network at Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics is 21-month-old Faith Wilson, daughter of Sarah and Chuck Wilson of Van. Faith will light the City of Tyler Christmas tree tomorrow night following the city’s annual downtown Christmas parade.

Faith is the youngest patient to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes by Dr. Luis Casas, a Trinity Clinic pediatric endocrinologist. Last fall, after suffering from flu-like symptoms for several days, Faith continued to get sicker. Sarah Wilson took her daughter to the Children’s Center at Mother Frances Hospital on the recommendation of her pediatrician. After several hours of tests, it was determined that Faith was in severe diabetic ketoacidosis and very, very ill. Dr. Casas stayed with Faith in her hospital room that night monitoring her blood sugar and adjusting her insulin. He believed that Faith would have died if she had gone undiagnosed for a few more hours.

Before Faith learned to walk, she learned to endure 18 finger pokes a day. She learned to be brave through her insulin shots before she could even say the word “shot.” Managing Faith’s care is a constant battle. Until there’s a cure, Trinity Mother Frances officials say, they don’t really ever know what tomorrow holds. According to Dr. Casas, being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at such a young age is very rare and presents numerous challenges. According to Trinity Mother Frances officials, “Faith is a true miracle in every sense of the word. It is a privilege to provide her care right here close to home so that she and her family can enjoy life to its fullest.” To learn more about how you can help East Texas children like Faith Wilson, you’re asked to call Robin Rowan, Director, Children’s Miracle Network, at (903) 531-5437.

TYLER — The East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, will present Congressman Louie Gohmert with the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award at a luncheon in his honor to be held on Monday, December 13. The event will take place at Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center, Tyler, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. Souting officials say the Award is given annually to an individual or couple who have made a significant impact toward enriching the way of life in East Texas. Congressman Gohmert, an Eagle Scout, has served the citizens of the First District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives since January 2005.

Past recipients of the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award include Bruce Brookshire, Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Jeff Austin, Sr., Eugene Brookshire, C.C. Baker, Jr., Herbert Buie, Congressman Ralph Hall, Douglas V. Smith, B.G. Hartley, Lindsey Bradley, Dr. Peggy and Howard Coghlan, Governor Rick and Anita Perry, Linda Ryan Thomas, Betsy and Elmer Ellis, Carolyn and Michael Northcutt, Sheriff J. B. Smith, Judge Bill Stoudt, Harold Beaird, and Sandi and Dr. Bill Taylor. Sponsorships and individual tickets are available for the luncheon. For more information, call the East Texas Area Council BSA office at 903-597-7201.

WHITEHOUSE — Smith County and the City of Whitehouse have teamed up to save residents time when renewing their vehicle registration. Whitehouse residents can now bring their vehicle renewal notices into Whitehouse City Hall and scan the form to renew their registration automatically. “This is a real convenience for the people of Whitehouse,” Smith County Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Barber said. “We hope to keep them from having to drive to our offices in Tyler, Lindale, Bullard and Troup to renew their registration every year.”

To participate in automated vehicle registration residents must:
* Bring their registration renewal form (sent to residents by mail prior to their vehicle registration expiration date).
* Have proof of insurance.
* Live in Smith County.
* Have a current renewal (one month before or after the registration expiration date).
* Pay a $1 processing fee (same as sending registration by mail).

City of Whitehouse Registration Supervisor Casey Worl said she is happy to provide this new convenience to the residents of her city. “It has been a really smooth process since we began offering this service earlier in the month,” Ms. Worl said. “It is fast and convenient and allows the people of Whitehouse to take care of their registration without driving to Tyler or Troup.” Ms. Worl said that Whitehouse City Hall has assisted more than two dozen vehicle registration customers since the service became available in early November. For more information on vehicle registration services available in Whitehouse contact the Whitehouse City Hall at 903-839-4914.

Residents who do not have a current registration form or whose registration expired more than a month ago can visit one of the full service registration offices at the Cotton Belt Building in Tyler or Troup City Hall or call 903-590-2900 for more information for other locations throughout Smith County.

TYLER — A 24-year-old illegal alien living in Tyler has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking in East Texas. Saul Velazquez-Castro pleaded guilty on Aug. 30 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. Velazquez-Castro was also ordered to forfeit $10,000.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 2, 2009, Velazquez-Castro was arrested and found to be possession of 4 ounces of methamphetamine, which he intended to sell to others in the Tyler area. Velazquez-Castro was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 14, 2010 and charged with federal drug trafficking violations. It was also determined that Velazquez-Castro was illegally in the United States. He will be deported to Mexico after he has served his prison sentence.

TYLER — Over the Thanksgiving break, Tyler Police say there were multiple burglaries at Cambridge Apartments. KETK reports that Cambridge Apartments, across from UT Tyler, are independently owned, but many college students live there. Authorities say they’ve had at least five burglaries and a robbery under investigation. Don Martin with the Tyler PD says, “Apparently the suspects went under the assumption that a lot of tenants went home on Thanksgiving holiday, so they forced their way in when no one was home.” The apartment manager, who spent her day trying to calm worries from students and parents, says there were security guards on duty during the break, but it was only at night. Some tenants say they’re ready to break their lease. Tyler police believe all of the burglaries are related, and they say the suspects could be facing a felony charge.

TYLER — A two vehicle collision on a wet Smith County road has left one person dead and one injured. The wreck happened around 8:30 Monday morning on Farm Road 757, about 3½ miles north of Tyler. Dead at the scene was Alan Ray Adams, 57 of Tyler. Injured, and taken to East Texas Medical Center, was Angela Janette Thompson, 45, of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety report says Adams was north bound on 757 and Thompson was south bound when Adams lost control of his vehicle and hit Thompson.

LONGVIEW — Longview police seek a suspect in an aggravated assault. On Wednesday, November 24th, at around 11:20 p.m., officers responded to 119 Sidney St. in reference to a shooting. Officers were told that thirty-year-old Daniel Bradley of Longview had fired several shots at occupants of the home before fleeing the area. Police say one victim, nineteen-year-old Alonzo Edwards also of Longview, was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are still trying to locate the suspect and ask that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Daniel Bradley call the Longview Police Department.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve arrested two people in a case involving a shooting and drugs. On Sunday at around 7:38 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call at 601 South Mobberly Avenue. Upon their arrival, the victim told officers that a man identified as 24-year-old Cruz Rodriguez had shot at him. Cruz was later located at 202 Skyline. Officers say they also located narcotics during a search of Cruz’s vehicle. Cruz was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Bridgett Beene, 18, a passenger in Cruz’s vehicle, was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

BEAUMONT – A 31-year-old Lufkin woman has pleaded guilty in Beaumont to charges related to a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August, 2007, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Monday. April Flanagan pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, to wit, conspiracy to murder David Mitchamore. Flanagan also pleaded guilty to acting as an accessory after the fact in the murder of Christy Rochelle Brown.

According to information presented in court, Flanagan had close ties to the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a powerful race-based state-wide organization which operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States. Authorities say the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Authorities add that members, and often associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

It is believed that David Mitchamore, also known as “Super Dave,” a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, and his girlfriend, Christie Rochelle Brown, were murdered as a result of a “direct order” by members of the Aryan Brotherhood. Officials say the order was made because of Mitchamore’s failure to repay an outstanding debt he allegedly owed to a General in the Aryan Brotherhood. The bodies of Mitchamore and Brown were discovered in Nacogdoches County on August 10, 2007. Flanagan knew of the plan to murder Mitchamore, provided members of the Aryan Brotherhood with a shotgun, and loaned her vehicle to them. Both the shotgun and the vehicle were used during the commission of the murders. Flanagan faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. Judge Crone will decide on Flanagan’s sentence.

TYLER – East Texas Medical Center Tyler will celebrate its 23rd annual Christmas tree lighting on today on the hospital’s front lawn with Santa Claus and two of his real reindeer. Faithful Praise of East Texas will perform Christmas carols. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Santa and the reindeer will greet children from 5-7 p.m. If you would like to have a picture with Santa, you’re asked to please bring your own camera.

Logan Schaefer, the 15-year-old son of Texas A&M Women’s Associate Head Basketball coach Vic Shaefer and Holly Schaefer, will light ETMC’s Tree of Hope this year. Each light represents a symbol of hope for trauma patients and the “everyday miracles” that can take place in the medical environment. This summer, Logan suffered a wake boarding accident on a lake and was transported to ETMC Crockett. Due to severe head trauma, he was flown by Air 1 to ETMC Tyler’s Level I Trauma Center, where he was treated by a medical team that included Dr. Scott Norwood, trauma medical director; Dr. David Villarreal, trauma surgeon; and Dr. Tom Grahm, neurosurgeon.

“We are so pleased to have been a part of Logan’s amazing journey. The fact that the trauma team was there for Logan played a vital role in saving his life,” noted Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. “It’s what ETMC is all about, and Logan is a remarkable young man who has made a strong recovery.”

For the first time, the ETMC Christmas tree is a living tree – a Leyland Cypress planted earlier this year. It currently stands about 12 feet tall and is expected to grow three feet per year on average. “We had the desire to replace our cut holiday trees with a real tree that we can watch grow over the years,” explained Ellis. “We are excited to have this cypress in recognition of tree conservation and as part of Mayor Barbara Bass’s tree-planting initiative for Tyler.”

TYLER — A blood drive is being held at today at Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, until 1:00. They say blood supply is critically low and the staff and volunteers at Hospice are participating in the drive and encourages the public to do the same.

TYLER — The search continues for a 26-year-old suspect wanted in the death of a Tyler toddler last week. Tyler Police say they have found a Gray 1995 Lincoln Town Car believed to be driven by Simon Lopez. Authorities issued a capital murder warrant for his arrest. Jeremy Silva, 1, was pronounced dead last Tuesday. An autopsy showed that he died from blunt force trauma to his chest and had suffered injuries from prior abuse. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of $1000 for information leading to Lopez’s arrest.

The child’s mother, Emma Torres, 19, was arrested last week and charged with abandoning or endangering a child. She has since posted bond. Torres had reportedly left her two children ages one and four alone in her residence while her boyfriend, Lopez, had taken her to work in Lindale. The child was picked up at his residence located at 114 N. Ross and transported to the hospital by his aunt. The child was pronounced dead on arrival by emergency room personnel.