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TYLER — The grandparents of a toddler that were arrested following an investigation into burn injuries on the girl’s body have requested a bond reduction. According to KETK, Shelley Walker, 60, and Kenneth Walker, 54, (pictured) have been in the Smith County Jail since March 26 on an injury to a child charge. Bond was set at $250,000 each. Judge Jack Skeen is reviewing their request.

Bridget Walker was severely burned on her feet and ankles when she was placed into a bath tub with scalding water. She was in the care of the two grandparents who were both at their home on Aberdeen Street. The 2-year-old was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas Feb. 28, and later released. She’s now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

LONGVIEW — An elderly woman is recovering from injuries sustained in an accident Friday morning. At 5:15 a.m., Longview police responded to a location north of the intersection of West Loop 281 and Gilmer Road. Officers were told that a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Charles Patrick McClain of Longview was traveling south on Gilmer Road. McClain stated he did not see the victim, 86-year old Mary Neal of Longview, crossing the roadway. Police say Neal was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries. At this time, no citations have been issued.

TYLER — Tyler Police say restaurant employees helped them catch a would be thief. Just before 2:30 Friday morning, officers were called to the Whataburger on South Broadway regarding a fight between a man and woman in the parking lot. Restaurant employees were restraining Todd Lax, 24, Arlington, until officers arrived. Upon further investigation, authorities said Lax had followed the victim, who is an employee of the nearby Wal-Mart. Lax reportedly attempted to steal the woman’s purse when the fight broke out. The victim sustained minor injuries. Lax was arrested for robbery and criminal trespass. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $1,350.

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – A Texas man condemned for his role in a robbery in which three people were shot, one fatally, has been put to death. Beunka Adams became the fifth person executed in Texas this year. His lethal injection was carried out Thursday evening in Huntsville. The execution came less than three hours after the U.S. Supreme Court refused a last-day appeal to postpone the punishment. The 29-year-old Adams won a reprieve from a federal district judge earlier this week. But the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the death warrant Wednesday. Adams and another man were sent to death row for the 2002 slaying of Kenneth Vandever, 37, during the holdup of a convenience store outside Rusk. Two female clerks were shot but survived. One of the women was raped.

TYLER — Smith County voter registration cards have been mailed out and should be received by Smith County voters by the end of the week. That’s the word from county officials. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said that “while a voter may vote without a voter registration card, we want all voters to be confident with regard to their registration and correct voting precinct location.” Voters may also vote with approved forms of identification.

The Secretary of State’s website http://www.votexas.org/faq says, “The issuing of new [voter registration] cards was delayed due to redistricting. A new federal court order has been issued, and the counties are instructed to issue the new certificates no later than April 25, 2012. The expiration of your old certificate on 12/31/2011 does not mean your voter registration expires. However, if your residence address is different, you should apply to update your registration (especially if you have moved to a new county).”

Regarding voter photo identification requirements, the U.S. Department of Justice has refused to allow implementation of Texas Senate Bill 14 at this time. Thus, current law pertaining to approved documentation required for voting is in effect. Therefore, a Texas Voter Registration Card will be sufficient for voting in the May 12, 2012 Uniform Election and the May 29, 2012 Primary Elections. Approved documentation in addition to, or in lieu of a voter registration card includes at least one of the following:

* A driver’s license or personal identification card issued to you by the Texas Department of Public Safety or approved agency of another state;
* A form of identification that contains your photograph and establishes your identity;
* A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s identity;
* Your United States citizenship papers;
* Your United States passport;
* Official mail addressed to you by a governmental entity; or
* A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

The public should also note that the rescheduling of party primaries created the unusual situation of two election dates during May and two “early voting” periods. The May 12 elections are for city councils, school districts, and a Tyler Junior College bond proposal. The May 29 date is for county and statewide elections. Any questions should be directed to the Smith County Elections Administrator, Karen Nelson, at 903-590-4777.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s School of Engineering has received some $560,000 under three separate grants — one new, one current, and one recently completed. LETU got $250,125 in grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration for a two-year research project on welding on modern bridges. That grant is in addition to a current $180,000 grant.

“Two of our master’s degree students, as well as about ten undergraduates will be working on this study aimed at using innovative welding technologies for designing and manufacturing future bridges that would last over 100 years” said Dr. Yoni Adonyi, LETU’s welding/materials joining engineering program coordinator. “Our partners from industry remain the Navy Surface Warfare Center, as well as the American Iron and Steel Institute, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. We are looking at high-frequency, friction stir and thermal stir welding applied to joining high strength- and corrosion resistant steels.”

Additionally, the university just completed a $129,000 grant from the II-VI Foundation that funded the development of new technology for microwave welding to join bismuth telluride to copper for building thermo-electric generators. “This breakthrough technology will be used for waste energy reclamation such as automobile exhaust heat pumping energy to the battery,” said Dr. Seung Kim, assistant professor in electrical engineering and co-investigator with Dr. Adonyi. A patent application is in the works for this new, no-plasma discharge, and closed-loop controlled microwave welder prototype.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s officials claim they have solved a 1999 cold case. According to KETK, William Thomas Young, Jr., was killed back in 1999, but mystery remained behind his death. Authorities suspected Shams Emil Masters, 33, of murdering young, but did not have enough evidence to charge him with murder. Masters was taken into custody at the time of Young’s death for possession of methamphetamine, which law enforcement found on him. He received a 6-year prison term.

Officials tell KETK the alleged murderer and victim knew each other. Young, who was 18 at the time, was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head on February 18, 1999. He was found dead in the southern region of Smith County off Noonday Road at the Woodlands Estates Subdivision.

Masters is currently being held at the Federal Correctional Institute in Florence, Colorado for bank robbery. His release date was scheduled for January 8, 2024. He will eventually be extradited to Smith County to face murder charges.

TYLER — TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman, Tyler, has received some good news. After receiving the results of two CT scans, Representative Berman said, “My oncologist diagnosed that my cancer is in remission. As a matter of precaution, I will complete the last two scheduled chemotherapy treatments next month.” Berman goes on to say, ” I served two years in Vietnam where I was exposed to Agent Orange and I encourage all Vietnam veterans to be sure they are registered on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange list.”

Berman said he will continue working, in the hopes of being a source of inspiration to others and will be forever grateful for the outstanding medical care he continues to receive in Tyler, and “For all the prayers raised on my behalf.”

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas physician has been ordered by the Texas Medical Board to stop treating patients for chronic pain. According to the Longview News-Journal, Dr. Lynn Louis Bourdon “non-therapeutically” prescribed drugs to 11 chronic pain patients and failed to maintain adequate medical records for patients, according to the agreed order Bourdon signed April 13 with the medical board.

Bourdon has had offices in Longview, Gladewater, Marshall and Daingerfield. He is a 1961 graduate of the Baylor School of Medicine. The board said some of Bourdon’s patients showed signs of controlled substance abuse or addiction at which time Bourdon continued to prescribe the medications. Bourdon also had to surrender his Drug Enforcement Administration certificate of registration.

TYLER — A Tyler couple accused of killing a toddler were back in court Wednesday for a hearing. According to KETK, Simon Lopez, 27, (pictured) and his girlfriend, Emma Torres, 20, were indicted back in September 2011 for the death of Torres’ one-year old son. Both are charged with capital murder.

An autopsy determined Jeremy Silva died from blunt force trauma. Investigators say Lopez was watching the child in November 2010, when he called one of the mother’s relatives to say the boy wasn’t breathing. Police say Lopez left the youngster with the relative and fled. He was caught in July in Queretaro, Mexico. The pair is scheduled to be back in court on May 4.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Saul Cobarrubias pleaded guilty back in January to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to money launder. He was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Cobarrubias was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of $10,000.

According to federal prosecutors, on March 9, 2011, Cobarrubias travelled from Houston to Tyler with 2 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in the area. Cobarrubias admitted that he possessed between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in East Texas. Cobarrubias also admitted to assisting in the collection of illegal proceeds from the sale and purchase of cocaine and using bank accounts manage the funds from the drug trafficking and to conceal the nature of the illegal proceeds.

TYLER – A 60-year-old Vermont man has been sentenced to federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender in the Eastern District of Texas. Raymond Leo Lemaire, Jr., pleaded guilty last September to failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to information presented in court, in June 2010, Lemaire moved to Whitehouse after having been previously convicted in 2004 in Vermont of the felony offense of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. Lemaire failed to register as a sex offender, as required, upon his move to Texas. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011.

TYLER — A group seeking to allow limited alcohol sales in Tyler and Smith County Justice Precinct 2 launches its petition drive. Buy Local First is a special purpose political action committee calling for a local option election this November. In order to call an election, state law requires the group to collect approximately 7,800 signatures of City of Tyler registered voters and 6,700 signatures of voters in Justice Precinct 2 which includes southwestern Tyler, Flint and Bullard.

The group will be asking voters to sign petitions calling for an election to allow:
• “the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.” By state law this will only allow beer and wine sold in places like grocery and convenience stores. This law will not allow packaged liquor sales.
• “the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only” This version was overwhelmingly approved by City of Tyler voters in 2008. The current effort will expand sales to those areas annexed after the 2008 election and in all of JP 2.

Supporters will be able to sign the petitions at various locations. You can go to http://www.buy-local-first.org to learn more. Past wet/dry elections in the area have invariably met with opposition, but no organized group has yet emerged to oppose the current local option campaign.

TYLER — Two students who played on this season’s Tyler Junior College men’s basketball team were arrested after a fight on campus. According to a statement from the college, around 11:30 Tuesday night, campus safety responded to the fight, between Claridge and Sledge residence halls. Officers broke up the fight and summoned an ambulance for one person who was injured. Austin Mansell, of Royse City, was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

As a result of the investigation, the two students were arrested and charged with aggravated assault with bodily injury. They were taken into custody and booked into Smith County Jail. Bond for both individuals was set at $75,000 each. Arrested were Tyler Brunson of Tucker, Georgia, and Alton Tanner of Katy, Texas. Both individuals have been suspended from TJC and all college activities and organizations. Campus safety continues to investigate. Officials say other individuals may be disciplined and other charges are possible.

“Regardless of involvement in athletics or other student groups, students of TJC are expected to honor the Apache Creed and behave in a civil manner, on campus and off,” said Dr. Tim Drain, director of intercollegiate athletics. “We have worked hard the past two years to improve campus civility and provide a safe and orderly environment. We take these issues seriously and have high expectations of all students.”

TYLER — Chief Gary Swindle announced Wednesday to the City Council that the Tyler Police Department has been awarded its fifth re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA). On March 24, in Mobile, Alabama, City Manager Mark McDaniel, Chief Swindle, Assistant Police Chief Paula Riggle, Police Lieutenant Jimmy Toler, and Police Investigator John Ragland were on hand to receive the award. The department received initial accreditation in 1995 and was re-accredited in 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 before gaining the honor again this year.

There are approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States. As of March 24, there are a total of 595 agencies that have been recognized by CALEA as having achieved accredited status. The Tyler Police department is one of only 32 law enforcement agencies out of 2600 in the State of Texas that has achieved and maintained this level of police professionalism. A listing of the accredited agencies may be found on the CALEA website at http://www.calea.org in the Client Database section.

The voluntary accreditation process requires the Police Department to continuously monitor and evaluate all of the police services that are provided to the Tyler community to ensure its citizens receive the utmost professional police service. Currently, in three-year intervals, law enforcement professionals from the across the United States come to Tyler to review every aspect of the Department’s operations and submit a recommendation to the Commission on whether the agency is complying with the industry’s established standards. The last on-site review occurred in December 2011, and the assessment team recommended the continued accredited status to CALEA.

TYLER — Tyler Police need your help in identifying two suspects involved in residential burglaries. Police are seeking information on two Hispanic males, in their late teens to early 20’s, who were last seen driving a light brown or gold older model mini-van.

Monday morning, a witness walking in the 1100 block of East Watkins Street around 10:30 heard two loud bangs coming from a residence. The witness stopped to look and observed two Hispanic males carrying a large TV from the rear of the residence heading towards their vehicle. The witness yelled at them, causing them to drop the TV and get away in their vehicle. Officers also were investigating a residential burglary at 2709 Pollard, not far from Watkins Street, a short time later. The suspects stole numerous electronic items, jewelry and cash. The suspects are kicking in doors to gain entry into the residences, and police believe that these suspects are responsible for several residential burglaries over the past several weeks.

Police remind everyone to mark or record your electronic item serial numbers and photograph all items of value. They say you should report any suspicious activity that you observe in your neighborhood immediately to police and write down any license plate information of suspicious vehicles. If you have any information about the two suspects above, you’re asked to contact Tyler Police or call Crime Stoppers.

WASHINGTON — Texas College will receive a $250,000 Department of Education grant to bolster improvement in science and engineering education programs, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced Wednesday. The funding will be used to increase the number of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particular minority women, seeking science and engineering careers. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program. “This is an important investment in Texas College’s efforts to expand minority access to science and engineering careers,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Scientific discovery and training are essential to our Nation’s continued economic competitiveness.”

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program, administered by the Department of Education, supports projects and initiatives designed to assist accredited nonprofits, universities, and colleges expand access to minorities in science and technology fields.

ATHENS — Henderson County officials are considering another request from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, but they’re putting a decision off until this fall. The atheist group wants to put up a banner at the county courthouse in Athens, where the county normally has a Nativity scene in December. County officials say the Nativity scene will be put up again, but they’re not so sure about a request from the atheist group to also install a banner calling religion a myth. They say they could decide on that request in September. Last year, the Freedom from Religion Foundation threatened to sue the county over its Nativity scene.

LAFAYETTE, LA. (AP/Staff) – MidSouth Bancorp Inc. says it posted a hefty increase in first-quarter earnings as two acquisitions kicked in, including one in Tyler. For the three months ending March 31, MidSouth earned $2.5 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with year-ago earnings in the first quarter of $442,000, or 5 cents per share. MidSouth, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, says the increase was due to results from its acquisitions of First Louisiana National Bank and the Tyler branch office of Beacon Federal Bancorp Inc.

During the first quarter, MidSouth dropped its provision for possible loan losses to $675,000 from $1.6 million a year ago and $775,000 from the fourth quarter of 2011. MidSouth has 40 banking offices in Louisiana and Texas.

RUSK COUNTY — Authorities are searching for a wanted man. Charles Glenn Allen, 25, Kilgore, has two active felony warrants in Rusk County. According to KETK, one warrant is for aggravated robbery, the second is for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.

LUFKIN (AP) – A female East Texas jailer has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a male inmate. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office says 40-year-old Kelly Wilson of Huntington has resigned. Lt. Pete Cooper on Wednesday declined to release details on the inmate. The Lufkin Daily News reports Wilson on Friday was seen at a courthouse, allegedly in support of the prisoner. She was charged Tuesday with violating the civil rights of an inmate through improper sexual activity. Wilson was freed hours later on $5,000 bond. Cooper had no information on an attorney for Wilson. No publicly listed phone number was available for Wilson, who faces up to two years behind bars if convicted of the state jail felony. Texas Rangers assisted with what started as an internal affairs investigation.

LONGVIEW — The senior pastor of one of Longview’s oldest and largest churches has been suspended from duties after being arrested on a drunken driving charge. According to the Longview News-Journal, John Logan “Jack” Matkin, pastor of Longview First United Methodist Church, was arrested April 19 in Smith County. He was released later in the day after posting $500 bond. 56-year-old Matkin has served as senior pastor of the church for the past two years, said Ed Moore, acting as spokesman for the church.

As chairman of the church administrative counsel, Moore said he and two other church lay leaders were told of the arrest April 19 by a representative of the bishop’s office.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed 10 student regents to their respective university systems, and one student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Their terms start June 1 and expire May 31, 2013. Among those appointed by the governor was Jourdan Dukes, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stephen F. Austin University.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – An East Texas man was killed when the horse he was riding bucked him into the path of an oncoming car. The Texas Department of Public Safety says Yancee Lavan Curbow, 42, of Nacogdoches died about 9:00 Monday evening at a Nacogdoches hospital, about 90 minutes after the incident on State Route 21. The DPS report says Curbow was riding about two miles west of Nacogdoches when the horse stopped and threw him into the path of a car driven by a friend of Curbow’s family.

ATHENS — A Henderson County man who’d been sought for a decade has finally been arrested. According to KETK, Travis Wayne Jones, who is now 50, was arrested in July of 2001 for sexual indecency with a child. Jones was released on a $5,000 bond, but failed to show for court. A warrant was issued in August of 2002, and the search began.

Jones was finally arrested on April 23, after U.S. marshals noticed a man who appeared to be Jones mowing the lawn at one of his suspected locations in Monroe County, Arkansas. When approached, the man identified himself as “Nathan Reed.” According to authorities, when asked for identification, the man led the marshals into the home, then ran through the back door. He was captured by officers outside the house, and officials say he admitted his real name was Travis Jones. He was booked into the Monroe County Detention Center, where he is waiting for extradition back to Texas.

TYLER — Officials Tuesday held a groundbreaking for Smith County’s downtown jail expansion at Spring and East Erwin, directly behind the current jail. The ceremony kicked off the second phase of the $35 million jail bond proposal that was approved by voters last year. Phase one began with the low risk facility and includes a kitchen and laundry facility and remote video visitation. Phase two will include an infirmary and the actual additional jail beds. Officials expect the project to be complete by spring of next year.

According to officials, since the state mandated that the county start shipping its inmates off to other counties in June 2004, the county has spent approximately $18 million on their rent and transport. Officials say the new jail will provide significant cost savings, but more importantly, will greatly improve the safety of the working environment for jail staff and administration. At left is a rendering of what the downtown project will look like when complete.

QUITMAN — Wood County and Quitman ISD officials say they’re investigating reports of alleged mistreatment of an animal at Quitman High School. According to KETK, Game Warden Kurt Kelly says students are accused of picking up an injured raccoon from the roadside and bringing it to the high school. Once there, they reportedly mistreated the raccoon. Charges will be filed against those involved by the Wood County District Attorney’s Office.

Quitman ISD officials say since students are involved, they’re not at liberty to release any information pertaining to their investigation. “But we do have the appropriate authorities assisting us in our investigation,” the statement continues. “Quitman ISD tries to instill respect for all living things through our classes taught in our vocational agriculture department as well as the general curriculum. The district will respond immediately to any reports of disrespect to people, animals, or property on our campus.”

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has scheduled additional public information meetings regarding the new university charter school, Dr. Michael Odell, associate vice president for sponsored research and director of federal relations, announced. “The Innovation Academy will present an unparalleled opportunity for students, with technology integration,project-based learning and the connection to the university – there really is nothing else like it. We hope parents take advantage of the opportunity now,” said Eli Crow, academy executive director.

Meetings will be:
· 6 p.m. Monday, April 30 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.
· 6 p.m. Monday, May 14; Thursday, May 17; and Monday, May 21 at the Longview University Center.
· 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15; Tuesday, May 22; and Tuesday, May 29 at the Palestine Campus.

Officials will hold a lottery at 6 p.m. Monday, June 11, at the Ornelas Activity Center. “An initial lottery was held in March to enroll students, but all campuses still have available space. Students who apply prior to June 11 will be in a secondary lottery to be held at that time. Students who are not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list and will be allowed to enroll as space becomes available,” Crow added.

The UT Tyler Innovation Academy is expected to open in the fall of 2012 for grades 3 – 6, with campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine. Another grade will be added each year until the campuses will ultimately serve students in grades 3 – 12. As a state funded charter school, there is no tuition for students. Through the connection with UT Tyler, officials say, students will have access to resources and opportunities not readily available in traditional public school settings. For more information, visit http://www.uttia.org or contact Lisa Jett, administrative assistant, or [email protected] or 903-565-5867.

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – The Texas attorney general’s office is appealing a reprieve given to a 29-year-old convict set to die tomorrow for a fatal shooting during a robbery and abductions at a Cherokee County convenience store. State attorneys Tuesday asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remove the stay of execution given to Beunka Adams. Adams’ scheduled lethal injection was stopped Monday by a federal district judge. State lawyers argue the reprieve was improper.

Adams is facing punishment for the 2002 slaying of Kenneth Vandever, 37, outside Rusk. Vandever and two women were abducted during the robbery, one of the women was raped and all three were shot. The women survived. Adams’s lawyers contend he had poor legal help in earlier stages of his appeals and his death sentence is unconstitutional.

TYLER — A Gilmer man is sentenced to 9 years in prison for dealing drugs in East Texas. Charles David McWhorter, 38, pleaded guilty on Nov. 28 to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. According to court documents, on July 31, 2009, McWhorter purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at the Drug Emporium store in Longview. On that same day, he made three additional purchases at other stores in the area with the intent of manufacturing meth.