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TYLER — For the fourth year in a row, Tyler ISD earned recognition for financial transparency. The Texas Comptroller awarded Tyler ISD the Gold Leadership Circle Award, the highest recognition given to local governments that set the bar for financial transparency.

Following the guidelines set by the Texas Comptroller Leadership Program, Tyler ISD has worked to become financially transparent by opening its books to the public; providing clear, consistent pictures of spending; and sharing information in a user-friendly format that lets taxpayers easily drill down for more information.

“Over the past few years Tyler ISD has worked to become even more financially transparent.” Tyler ISD Chief Financial Officer Tosha Bjork said. “Taxpayers deserve to know how the District is spending their money. It is an honor to receive this award.”

This award represents one of Tyler ISD’s Core Beliefs: Effective and responsible utilization of the community’s resources is fundamental in educating children. It is Tyler ISD’s responsibility to allocate District resources to meet the needs of all students while maintaining the high level of fiscal responsibility, efficiency and integrity.

Tyler ISD provides information on financial transparency electronically on its website, tylerisd.org. The information includes check registers, monthly payroll summaries, annual financial reports and district credit card transactions. The information is updated on a regular basis by Tyler ISD staff.

NEW LONDON — The Board of Trustees for West Rusk County Consolidated Independent School District will hold a special meeting tonight to discuss creating a school district police department. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Superintendent Tommy Alexander said the possibility of a police department for the district has been under discussion for almost a year and is not being considered specifically in response to the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. However, he conceded that the tragedy has brought the issue of school security to the forefront. The meeting will be at 7:00this evening in the board conference room, 10705 Main St. (Highway 42) in New London.

TYLER — A Tyler judge prepares to make a decision on property auctioned off last month by Jacksonville’s fading Lon Morris College. Proceedings in bankruptcy court began Monday. One key point of contention: Jacksonville city officials say they have jurisdiction over some of the auctioned property and contend they didn’t clear it for sale. But Jacksonville City manager Mo Raissi tells KETK he’s confident the outcome of the hearing will be positive. Raissi says he feels the property already belongs to the city of Jacksonville, but the judge will make the decision.

TYLER — Some concerned citizens will meet with Tyler ISD representatives tonight over the possible conversion of Stewart Middle School to house alternative education programs. The district’s long range plan calls for such a move, along with the construction of several new middle schools. A number of citizens want Stewart to stay open as a middle school. Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled to include Superintendent Gary Mooring and school board members. It will be held at 6:00 at St. James Missionary Baptist Church on Lyons Avenue, and organizers are urging all interested residents to attend.

TEXARKANA — The Texas Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana has affirmed the conviction of Jessica Bain Carson for the murder of her own child. That’s according to KETK. Carson was convicted on April 13, 2011, of torturing and killing 13-month-old Amora Bain Carson. She was sentenced to life in prison. Carson’s live-in fiancé Blaine Milam was also convicted of taking the life of baby Amora and sentenced to death on May 27, 2011. Authorities say the Rusk County couple killed the child with a hammer. Investigators also found the toddler’s body riddled with bite marks.

The lawyer for Carson appealed the decision based on the jury not submitting lesser offenses. But that was ruled out because the error was ruled harmless due to the capital murder conviction, thus making it a non-issue, according to the appeals court. Carson’s attorney also argued Carson was “entitled to a jury instruction on mistake of fact because she mistakenly believed that Milam would not harm Amora” and evidence was insufficient. Both arguments were rejected. The defense also contended that “life without parole was cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment because of Carson’s youth.” This was not allowed to go before the Appellate Court.

According to the arrest report, Carson “admitted to Ranger Kenny Ray that she was present when the defendant performed an exorcism of the demons possessing the body of their child, Amora Bain Carson. The defendant went on to say after her husband killed the baby, they drove to Henderson to a pawnshop to pawn items to pay for an exorcism service and officers were able to confirm those transactions. The defendant Carson said they then made up a story about leaving the baby alone and returning home and finding the baby dead.” Both felons were 18 at the time of the murder.

KILGORE — Two Kilgore ISD students were killed, and three people were injured Sunday night in a car crash. KETK reports it happened on Highway 259 around 10:00 p.m. According to officials, an SUV carrying five people crashed about 3 miles north of Henderson. The driver, Hava Shala, 33, of Kilgore, was driving northbound when the vehicle swerved to avoid an object in the road. The vehicle side skidded into a grass median and rolled several times, throwing two passengers and partially ejecting a third. Hava Shala, 37-year-old front seat passenger Bennie Shala, and 19-year-old backseat passenger Murteza Bojkaj, all of Kilgore, were hospitalized following the wreck. Their current conditions are unknown.

DPS authorities identified the two students killed as 8th grader Liradone Bojkaj, 14, and Junior Mergimtare Bojkaj, 17, both of Kilgore. Murteza Bojkaj is believed to be a 2011 KISD graduate, according to Superintendent Dennis Williams. Liradone was pronounced dead at the scene. Mergimtare was taken to a Tyler hospital, where she later died. Grief counselors are at both school locations and other counselors are available to talk to students if needed.

“We’re deeply saddened when we received the word this morning that we lost two students in an auto accident last night. Our hearts and thoughts are with the family during this grave loss,” said Williams Monday. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — The Silver Alert issued for Willie Hubert Wingfield of Dallas has been cancelled. Tyler police say Wingfield was found in Vermilion, Louisiana, in safe condition. Police say Wingfield has medical issues and went missing while driving from Dallas to Tyler. A state-wide Silver Alert was issued for Wingfield, who is diabetic and is diagnosed with dementia. Wingfield was reported missing around 11:45 Friday night. Sunday night, the Tyler Police Department received information of a confirmed sighting of the man in Upshur County near Big Sandy.

Family members said that Wingfield was driving to Tyler to visit his girlfriend. He stopped and called her for directions to her house around 5:30pm. He said he was at the CVS pharmacy at Glenwood and West Gentry. The last time Wingfield was contacted before going missing, he said he was somewhere on Queen Street. Family members had been unable to contact him since and it appears that his phone was not working or was turned off.

GREGG COUNTY — Officials say roads reopened Monday and everything began moving smoothly following a pair of morning wrecks on I-20 in Gregg County. A KETK reporter on scene says there was no significant damage to the vehicles. Earlier, authorities shut down eastbound I-20 at mile marker 589, which is Highway 31. Another wreck was cleared at mile marker 591, which is FM 2087.

SHREVEPORT — Hugh Rutherford, 70, of Marshall, was arrested after allegedly exposing himself to an undercover police officer in a Shreveport park Thursday. That’s according to KETK and its news partner KMSS. The park, in the 900 block of Clyde Fant Parkway, is reportedly known for lascivious behavior, and often has undercover police patrolling the grounds. Thursday, according to authorities, Rutherford was in the park and came across one of the undercover police stationed there. He then decided to pull his pants down, exposing his privates to the police officer, according to officials. Police say the undercover officer quickly arrested Rutherford for indecent exposure.

TYLER — Police investigate a report of shots fired at a Tyler club. It happened just after 1:00 Monday morning in the 1700 block of North Palace. Officers were called out after a suspicious noise complaint that reportedly sounded like gunshots near the intersection of West Vance. When authorities arrived, there were several people leaving the parking lot and refused to tell police what had happened. A woman, however, told officers that her car had been parked nearby while she was at the club and a bullet had hit her back window. There were several casings in the parking lot. No injuries were reported. Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department or Crimestoppers.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to perform minor pavement repairs and resurfacing work on State Highway 64 east just outside of East Loop 323 in Tyler. The work in that location is expected to last one day.

Elsewhere, TxDOT crews are scheduled to perform edge and ditch work on Stgate Highway 110 between Toll 49 and the Whitehouse city limits. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on State Highway 42 between Farm Road 2206 south of White Oak and Farm Road 1252 in Hughey. 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 perform pavement repair operations on Farm Road 2636 south of Malakoff and on Farm Road 1667 south of Trinidad. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 782 northeast of Henderson between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform ditch cleaning operations on Farm Road 2869 between U.S. Highway 80 and Lake Hawkins, and in various locations on US 80. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 1643 between Farm Road 515 west of Winnsboro and State Highway 37 northeast of Quitman.

Elsewhere in Wood County, TxDOT contractors are at work making base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1804 (Hoard Road) between US 80 and the Smith County Line. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application next summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to conclude fog seal operations on U.S. Highway 80 between Wills Point and Edgewood, then spend the balance of the week performing the same work on Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads between the Oakland-Colfax and Farm Road 773 ramps. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

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

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge and shoulder repairs on Farm Road 323 southeast of Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Two persons have been injured following a two vehicle accident in Longview. During the accident, one of the cars was sent crashing into the Zippy J Eleven convenience store in the 500 block of West Marshall Avenue. One of the injured was an employee inside the business. The extent of the injuries is not available.

SMITH COUNTY — A man accused of a home invasion in Smith County is hospitalized after being attacked by the home owner. The 911 call came in from Pine Trail Shores around 1:30 Saturday morning. Deputies say the found the home owner fighting with the intruder. The suspect was restrained and taken to East Texas Medical Center where he as undergone surgery. The investigation into the incident continues.

LONGVIEW — A Hallsville woman is accused of breaking into a house and stealing a car and a purse with credit cards. Arrested by Longview police was Kyleigha Scott, 23. They were waiting for her when she came back to the car at the Walgreens Drug Store in the 500 block of East Marshall Avenue. Officers were led to car by the stolen cars’ OnStar system. She was booked into the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $25,000.

KILGORE — A member of the Kilgore College basketball team has been arrested on drug charges. Kicked off the team following his arrest was Andre Jamal Horne, 19, of Newark, Delaware. Officers say Horne was caught in his dorm room with a marijuana cigarette by the assistant director for student life who was doing a random room check. Horne was booked into the Gregg County Jail under a $1,000 bond.

TYLER — East Erwin Street in Tyler will be closed between Adams Avenue and Thompson Avenue South on Saturday to install a sewer service.

Detours:

Going west on Erwin: turn South (left) on Thompson Avenue South, right on East Elm Street turn right on Adams Avenue or South Center Avenue and then turn left onto East Erwin Street.

Going East on Erwin: turn right on South Center Avenue or Adams Avenue, turn left onto East Elm Street, to Beckham.

Or you can turn left at Center to Ferguson. Turn right on Ferguson to Beckham.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Engineering Department has installed warning lights for a new school zone located at Cumberland Academy on Shiloh Road. Motorists are advised that the speed limit in the school zone is 25 mph between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00am and between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00pm. The new school zone was presented to and approved by City Council on January 9.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler raised $30.6 million in the Inspiring Excellence comprehensive fundraising campaign, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. The campaign goal was $30 million. “This is the first campaign of its size for UT Tyler, and the primary interest was to raise funds to increase our endowed student scholarships, increase the number of faculty chairs and professorships and support the Honors Program with full endowed scholarships,” said President Mabry.

According to a UTT news release, “Scholarships help the university attract high-ability undergraduate and graduate students who are more inclined to become fully engaged in the university experience. Endowed faculty chairs and professorships attract top scholars by providing research funds, salary supplements and travel funds.”

LONGVIEW — Longview prepares for the May 11 city election, with the filing period now underway. So far, incumbents Richard Manley of District 5 and Sidney Allen of District 6 have filed for re-election. The filing period began January 30 and continues through March 1.

WHITEHOUSE — Residents in Whitehouse are one step closer to beer and wine sales in their town. According to KETK, the city verified there are now enough signatures to place a proposition on the May ballot. 732 signatures were all that were needed; so far, 832 have been verified. However, petitions for the same measure in Smith County Justice Precinct 1 were not turned in on time.

RUSK COUNTY — A two vehicle accident in Rusk County has left one person dead and two injured. The accident happened just after 6:15 Friday morning near Lakport, on State Highway 322, just north of Rusk County Road 212.

State Trooper Jean Dark says a 1999 Chevy truck driven by Brandon Whitehorn, 19, was southbound on 322 when he crossed over the oncoming traffic’s lane, corrected back onto the road, and ran head on into a 1997 Chevy truck traveling northbound. The passenger of the 1997 Chevy was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Jonathan Darwin Robertson, 25. Whitehorn and the other driver, Patrick Newton, 30, were taken to a nearby hospital. Their current conditions are unknown.

PANOLA COUNTY — Two trial dates have been set for a Longview man accused of bludgeoning an elderly Tatum couple this past year. Michael Christopher Ferris, 21, has been held in the Panola County Jail since April 6 under bonds totaling $4 million. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of injury to elderly persons. According to the Longview News-Journal, Donald “Buddy” Wagstaff said Wednesday that he was told by Panola County prosecutors that Ferris will be tried separately for the attacks on himself and Betty Barber.

Wagstaff and Barber were taken by surprise by a man who asked for help then wielded a claw hammer hidden behind his back. The couple was hospitalized , Barber with more serious wounds than Wagstaff and Ferris was booked into jail the next day.

Ferris’ first trial date has been set for March 5 in connection with the assault on Barber, Wagstaff said. Ferris will be tried again on April 8 in the attack on Wagstaff.

NACOGDOCHES — Officials say a wanted fugitive was caught hiding in a trailer Friday morning after authorities had been searching over half a day for him. KETK reports that Thursday afternoon at 2:00, law enforcement began looking for Thomas Howell following a tip that a burglar had been seen in a house on Henderson Lane in the Central Heights area. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, Constables, DPS Troopers, Texas Rangers, State Game Wardens, the Stephen F. Austin Police Assistant Chief, and the Nacogdoches Police Department assisted in setting up a perimeter around the area. A DPS helicopter and two sets of tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Division also assisted in the search for Howell.

After looking for over 9 hours, Howell could not be found. Deputies remained in the Central Heights area throughout the night and believed that Howell was in the vicinity. Authorities figured the cold weather would drive him into shelter before sunrise, and at 3:30 a.m., law enforcement began searching vacant houses on Henderson Lane. Officials say he was found in a trailer house that he had broken into earlier in the day.

Deputies arrested Howell without incident, and he was taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail. He is charged with burglary of habitation with intent to commit assault, sexual assault, retaliation, violation of protective order, burglary of a habitation, and assault family violence. A parole warrant hold has also been issued for Howell.

EAST TEXAS (Staff/AP) — Friday marked the 10th anniversary of the Shuttle Columbia disaster. It was on Feb. 1, 2003, that the Columbia blew up over East Texas skies, minutes away from touchdown in Florida. Many East Texans have personal memories of the explosion and aftermath of the grisly event. NASA honored the seven astronauts who perished at a public memorial service Friday morning at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew was returning home from a 16-day science mission when the shuttle disintegrated over East Texas. An investigation board later determined the cause was damage to the wing that occurred during liftoff.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who tried to rob Jucy’s Hamburgers at 2330 East Fifth Street. It happened around 9:30 Thursday night. An employee told officers he was met at the door by an armed suspect wearing a hoodie and holding a hand gun. The victim shut the business door and the suspect fled the area on foot. Officers searched the area but found no trace of the suspect. He was described as 5’10” to 6′ tall, slim build, wearing a dark color hoodie. No injuries were reported.

MT. PLEASANT — The Texas Department of State Health Services is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft services for people whose personal information was allegedly found in the possession of a former DSHS employee without authorization. The former employee, Selena Patino (pictured), had worked at the agency’s Mount Pleasant clinic until last fall and was arrested in January on fraud and credit card abuse charges. Prior to her arrest she worked at the Northeast Texas Public Health District.

According to a DSHS news release, the department has identified people whose information may have been accessed by the former employee and is notifying them by letter of the free services. However, officials say, there may be additional potential victims. People who worked with Patino or received services at the clinic and believe they were affected are urged to contact DSHS at 1-800-350-6029 to request the free credit monitoring and identity theft services. DSHS will provide the free services for one year to those affected.

People who think they may be victims of identity theft also should contact the credit bureaus for guidance and be on alert for any evidence of misuse of personal information, according to DSHS. If people find evidence that their personal information has been misused, officials say they should notify local law enforcement.

The credit bureaus can be contacted as follows:

EQUIFAX

P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
http://www.fraudalerts.equifax.com
Fraud hotline (toll-free): 1-877-478-7625

EXPERIAN

P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
http://www.experian.com
Fraud hotline (toll-free): 1-888-397-3742

TRANSUNION

Email to report suspected fraud at: [email protected]
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
http://www.transunion.com
Fraud hotline (toll-free): 1-800-680-7289

TYLER – The Tyler ISD analyzes results after the Texas Education Agency released the passing rates for the 2012 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) grades 3-8 this week. The STAAR tests replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) last school year. The STAAR tests include more difficult testing and require a higher level of student performance. The tests are designed to measure a student’s college and career readiness, starting in elementary school.

As an urban district with 69.7 percent of students who are economically disadvantaged and 21.7 percent of students who are Limited English Proficient (LEP), Tyler ISD officials say they’re pleased with where they’re starting. “This is our baseline data for the new state accountability system,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring said. “While we know we have more work to do, we are pleased to be in the range of the state scores.” Tyler ISD’s top performing areas include fourth grade reading, with a passing rate of 72 percent; seventh grade reading, with a passing rate of 72 percent; and eighth grade reading and math, with passing rates of 77 percent and 74 percent respectively.

“Tyler ISD is continuing to work on increasing the level of rigor in our instructional practice to ensure the success of all of our students,” said Kim Tunnell, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement.

According to a news release from the district, “Tyler ISD recognizes that with any new testing program there is an adjustment period for students and teachers, and we will continue to provide training for our teachers so they can better prepare our students for success on STAAR. One of Tyler ISD’s Core Beliefs is that all children can learn. It is our responsibility to ensure each student will reach his or her highest academic potential, graduate high school prepared for higher education and/or workforce in the global market while closing the achievement gap. The District will continue to analyze test scores and performance as more data is released from the state in making plans for the 2013-2014 school year.”

LONGVIEW — A fire at a Longview apartment complex has displaced three people. KETK reports it happened at the Johnson Street Apartments on the 400 block of Johnson Street a little before noon yesterday. Longview fire officials say the blaze started in the kitchen area and was contained to one apartment. Nobody was at home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries involved. Three people have been displaced, and Red Cross has been notified for assistance.

LONGVIEW — As Longview’s transit system enters its 10th year, data released Tuesday showed city buses carried nearly a quarter-million passengers in 2012. And with ridership up 20 percent from the year before, Longview Transit officials are casting an eye westward, planning to launch a new route March 1 between Longview and Gladewater. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the proposed Route 7 would loop on Marshall Avenue and Cotton Street in Longview before leaving the city on U.S. Highway 80 heading west. The city bus would then loop through Gladewater hitting three stops before heading back to Longview via U.S. 80.

“We have a proposed start date of March 1. Longview Transit is already looking at the route, and we believe it will tie in with what we have in place right now,” said Longview Transit Director of Operations Tequita Mumphrey. Mumphrey addressed members of Longview’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee on Tuesday. The Gladewater City Council agreed to support its portion of the route in the council’s January 17 meeting, while city of Longview officials will address the proposed route at a council meeting in February. If accepted, Route 7 will begin operating March 1 and will run until August, giving Longview Transit officials time to gather data on the use and response to the bus route.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore woman accused of bigamy is on the lam after failing to show for a Monday hearing. Candice Mechell Andrade, 32, was arrested Nov. 15 by Gregg County sheriff’s deputies on a charge of bigamy. According to the Longview News-Journal, her grand jury indictment lists five men to whom she was married in May 2010. She was booked into the Gregg County Jail on $5,000 bond, but bonded out. When she failed to show to Monday’s hearing, 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles issued a warrant for her arrest, and Gregg County sheriff’s deputies began a search for her.