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EAST TEXAS – Fires around the area have been taxing manpower and equipment. There have been several around Smith County. The largest was on the Smith/Rusk County Line. It burned some 415 acres. Roads in the area have been reopened and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

In northeastern Anderson county early this week, over 430 acres burned between Frankston and Neches. The only building destroyed was an unoccupied deer camp trailer house. Officials say the fire started when a limb fell across power line which sparked when it hit the ground.

Also earlier this week 450 acres burned in Harrison County. The fire, which started about ten miles north of Marshall, damaged no buildings. No injuries were reported. They’re still trying to find out how it started.

DALLAS – A Tyler woman has placed in a state-wide pageant. Jo Anne McMeans, seen on the left in this photo, was named 1st runner up in the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant in Dallas. She is employed by Tyler’s Prestige Estates where she is the community relations liaison. Jo Anne is pictured with the lady selected as queen, Debbie Carroll-Boyce of Frisco.

The philosophy behind the Texas chapter and the national organization Senior America is the belief that seniors are the foundation of America and one of our most valuable treasures. Seniors help the younger generation build self-esteem, knowledge, experience, and resources to continue building a better society for the future. “These are not simply beauty pageants for women that are 60+, these pageants re-define senior women in the 21st Century”, according to Mary Frances Hansen, the pageant’s director. “The Pageants are about inner beauty; these women are dynamic and talented in every way. Our goal is to encourage seniors to embrace life and foster a positive attitude about aging. We strive to enrich and empower senior women as our pageant contestants represent the positive image of aging.”

Hansen went on to say, “1st runner up, JoAnne McMeans of Tyler certainly deserves a lot of recognition for her hard work, along with all the competitors, not only for their dedication, but for their belief in the Ms. Texas Senior America principals.” The four components of the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant judging were: philosophy of life, personal interviews with the judges, evening gown competition, and talent.

Boyce will now represent Texas in the national competition Ms. Senior America, which takes place October 2-7 at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

LONGVIEW – Two undercover string operations have found 13 businesses selling tobacco to minors. One sting was on Thursday and the other was last week. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by Longview Police Officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

The undercover officer/minor teams went to 149 Longview area tobacco retailers over the two-day period and of those, 13 retailers sold tobacco to the undercover minors. The locations that sold tobacco products to minors include:
Food Fast #85 1901 Gilmer Rd
Food Fast #7 100 S Access Rd
Timpex 559 Mobberly Ave
Zippy J’s #4 1516 Fairmont
Road Runner 1917 Judson Rd
Kroger Fuel (2 citations) 701 W Marshall Ave
EZ Mart 2901 Estes Pkwy
Day & Night Texaco 3122 Estes Pkwy
Wal-Mart 4006 Estes Pkwy
Murphey USA 4004 Estes Pkwy
Tejas Food Mart 1822 Pine Tree Rd
Tobacco Station 3541 Gilmer Rd
Marshall Quick Stop 2710 E Marshall Ave

The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.00.

According to Longview police, undercover tobacco and alcohol stings have proven to be an effective means of protecting Longview youth by encouraging compliance with Texas laws, They say the undercover stings will continue on a random basis in the future.

MARSHALL — An ex-rodeo champion known as the “Texas Kid” has been sentenced to five years of probation for sexual misconduct with a girl in his specialty act, according to KETK and the Texarkana Gazette. A federal judge in Marshall on Thursday sentenced 44-year-old Rodney Ray Hayes of Linden. Hayes in April pleaded guilty to transportation of minors with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Hayes, as part of his traveling rodeo act, had children on the road with him. He was accused of wrongful sexual contact with a minor between March 2005 and June 2008. The Gazette reports the incident happened in a horse trailer used as sleeping quarters. Hayes must register as a sex offender and is barred from having contact with anyone younger than age 18 without another adult present.

RED SPRINGS (AP) — Over the years East Texas firefighters have performed a wide variety of rescues. But, yesterday’s had to be a first. Firefighters used their rescue skills to save a llama stuck in a muddy pond for at least a day. Red Springs volunteer firefighters freed the llama at midday Friday.

Lt. Charles Wilson says a passer-by reported seeing the animal in water up to its neck. Wilson says the 250-pound llama apparently got stuck Thursday, a day when temperatures topped 100 degrees. Employees of the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler helped ease the llama’s feet from the bog, then the creature was pulled out. The owner took the weakened llama to a veterinarian. Wilson, who’s been a firefighter for 42 years, told The Associated Press that he’s saved horses and cattle, but this was his first llama rescue, and he feels good about it.

NACOGDOCHES — Three people robbed store clerks at gunpoint Wednesday night and got away with an unknown amount of cash, Nacogdoches police say. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. The store owner said she was robbed at a store in the 1900 block of Douglass Road at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday by three black women, but police believe it could have been three men wearing wigs, Sgt. Greg Sowell, Nacogdoches Police Department public information officer, said. “One produced a handgun and threatened clerks, while one gathered an undetermined amount of cash,” he said. One of the clerks received a minor injury after being pushed to the floor by one of the robbers, Sowell said.

TYLER — Another big year for the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala. “We are proud to announce that the 2011 Cattle Barons’ Gala netted $552,683 for the American Cancer Society,” said Ginger Haberle, Gala Co-Chair. “Co-chairing Cattle Barons has been an experience of a lifetime. Thanks to everyone who supported this event and made this donation possible. So many lives will be impacted by the generosity of all of you.”
Since the first gala in 1988, Cattle Barons has raised more than $8.7 million for the Smith County American Cancer Society. Funds raised are used specifically for cancer research, education, and patient services.

“In addition to the generous contributors, more than 100 volunteers helped put on this event,” said Liz Ballard, Gala Co-Chair. “I am so proud to have such a wonderful team to support Ginger and I to help make this year’s Cattle Barons’ Gala be such a wonderful success.” The 2012 Cattle Barons’ Gala will be held June 9.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – A former Oklahoma prison warden says he wanted a convicted killer removed from a pottery program that included the warden’s wife and was run from the garage of his home. Randy Parker testified Friday in the trial of his wife – Bobbi Parker. She’s charged with helping the inmate – Randolph Dial – escape the prison in Granite where Randy Parker was deputy warden. Parker said he asked prison officials to remove Dial from the program days before Dial and Bobbi Parker disappeared in 1994. Prosecutors say Bobbi Parker fell in love with Dial and helped him escape. The two were found living together in Campti, in Shelby County, Texas, in 2005. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Bobbi Parker and held her hostage. The Parkers reunited after Bobbi Parker and Dial were found.

SMITH COUNTY — Some statistics from the Smith County Assistant Fire Marshal. Between July 1st and August 16th, 2011, 213 burn ban violation citations have been issued in Smith County. Officials do say that is an unusually high number. It’s been since 2006 since Smith County was under a burn ban. Many of the recent fires have been blamed on burning trash and debris.

LUFKIN — A 45-year-old homeless man was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication after he was seen running through a sprinkler at a home on Willow Bend Drive. Edwardo Reyes, also known as “Eddie” or “Wolf,” was taken to jail on the charge just four days after being released on a criminal trespass charge. He was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a $500 bond.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man was arrested Wednesday after admitting he broke his girlfriend’s 4-month-old son’s leg Aug. 12. Jimmy McClelland, 25, was taken into custody on a charge of second-degree felony injury to a child. McClelland initially told police at the hospital that he was rocking the child and heard a pop. A CPS investigator also responded to the emergency room, noting further injuries, including retinal hemorrhaging consistent with shaken baby syndrome, but without brain swelling. McClelland is out of the Angelina County Jail on a $35,000 bond.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter. Leobardo Nieves, 20, accepted a plea bargain yesterday in an Angelina County courtroom. The accident happened January 29th when Nieves ran a red light on Loop 287 and Lotus Lane in Lufkin and struck another vehicle driven by 45-year-old Connie McKay. The teacher was pronounced dead at the scene. her teenage daughter was thrown from the vehicle, but survived. Nieves fled the scene and was arrested a short time later by Lufkin Police.

TYLER — Nearly two dozen people were allowed to return to their homes in eastern Smith County Friday morning. They were evacuated Thursday because of what’s now described as a 415-acre wildfire on the Smith/Rusk County line. Officials say the fire is 90% contained. Some roads that were closed have since reopened.

TYLER — A small fire has been extinguished near Tyler State Park. It took only about an hour to put out the blaze that was reported around 3:00 Thursday afternoon. It was said to have been caused when a tree limb hit a guide wire to an electrical pole, which it turn hit a live wire that caused sparks that ignited the tinder-dry vegetation.

TYLER – Testimony continues for a second day Friday as the owners of the proposed Double D Restaurant appear in state district court in answer to a temporary restraining order against the business. Toys R Us, which owns the land where the restaurant is located, alleged breach of a commercial real estate lease. Judge Christi Kennedy said last week it had been hoped that the parties would settle the matter behind closed doors. But, when that did not happen, the judge extended the temporary restraining order and increased the bond to $200,000. The current hearing in 114th State district court, which began Thursday, is to determine if the restraining order is tossed out or if a permanent injunction is issued.

TYLER – Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes today through Sunday, the state’s annual tax holiday. And, when buying clothes this weekend, you can help area school districts.

Shop any of Goodwill Industries East Texas’ stores on Tax Free Weekend, and Goodwill Industries of East Texas will be contributing 15% of their store sales to each of their 13 local school districts. Goodwill Industries of East Texas has 15 store locations in: Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Mineola, Palestine, Kilgore, Jacksonville, Henderson, Gladewater, Cedar Creek, Carthage, Canton and Athens.

This weekend, state law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.

The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 in2009, which expands the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. In addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.

The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100):
Binders
Book bags
Calculators
Cellophane tape
Blackboard chalk
Compasses
Composition books
Crayons
Erasers
Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila
Glue, paste and paste sticks
Highlighters
Index cards
Index card boxes
Legal pads
Lunch boxes
Markers
Notebooks
Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes
Pencil sharpeners
Pencils
Pens
Protractors
Rulers
Scissors
Writing tablets

TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2011 – one of only 167 hospitals nationwide to do so. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, and signifies that the hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

“The time is right for Mother Frances to be focused on improving the quality of cardiovascular care by achieving ACTION Registry–GWTG standards. The number of acute myocardial infarction patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing incidence of heart disease and a large aging population,” said John McGreevy, senior vice president of Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics and CEO, Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.

LONGVIEW — After nearly six years on the run, a Longview man who fled his $95,000 bail in 2005 was arraigned Thursday afternoon. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Jamie Lee Coker, 53, fled while facing two life sentences for two counts of intoxicated manslaughter and three counts of intoxicated assault. Authorities say he was arrested in Mexico. Gregg County officials picked him up Wednesday night at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. According to Gregg County court records, Coker was booked into Gregg County Jail Thursday with bond set at $5 million.

Coker was arrested Feb. 13, 2005, after a two-vehicle crash in the 4500 block of West Marshall Avenue. Authorities said Coker was intoxicated when his Chevy pickup crossed the median and struck a Chevrolet Impala, killing his wife, 43-year-old Sonya Kaye Coker, and Martha Hillin Wallace, a 74-year-old grandmother who was riding with her son in the Impala. He was charged with two counts of intoxicated manslaughter and three counts of intoxicated assault. He posted $95,000 bond on June 15, 2005, and did not appear at his Sept. 29, 2005 sentencing.

After Coker fled, the late District Attorney Judge Bill Jennings, who was serving as an assistant district attorney at the time, told America’s Most Wanted that Coker was the one man he was determined to get into a courtroom. Jennings died Oct. 17, 2009.

LUFKIN — Within minutes of local media outlets publicizing the Lufkin Police Department’s request for assistance in locating Winfred Kilgore, 55, a citizen notified the Department that Kilgore was in Jacksonville. That’s according to information from KETK, the Lufkin Daily News, and Lufkin police. Lufkin Police Department detectives were attempting to locate Kilgore as part of their investigation into the death of Joy Yvonne Bybee, whose body was discovered August 11 beneath a bridge at Chestnut Village shopping center in Lufkin. The detectives did not have information that suggested Kilgore was involved in the circumstances leading to Bybee’s death. But they say they did know Kilgore was with her the previous day and believed that he possessed information that would assist in determining her actions prior to her death.

Upon receiving information that Kilgore was in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Police Department located Kilgore and notified him of the Lufkin Police Department’s investigation and need to speak with him. Kilgore waited at the Jacksonville Police Department until the detectives arrived from Lufkin and interviewed him.
According to authorities, because of the ongoing investigation into Bybee’s death, the details of Kilgore’s conversation with the detectives will not be released. But the detectives reported that they did receive additional information concerning Ms. Bybee’s actions prior to her death. Kilgore is termed an East Texas-area transient with past arrests in Beaumont and along the U.S. Highway 59 corridor between Longview and Polk County.

TYLER — Tyler Police say a wreck on West Gentry that shut down 2 lanes was caused by a woman suffering from a minor stroke. It was reported around 9:15 Thursday morning and involved downed power lines after the 61-year-old struck a utility pole. A motorcyclist was also hospitalized after he hit a line that pulled him from his bike.

LUFKIN (AP) – A former waitress whose wedding dress was stolen is getting married Saturday in a new gown thanks to $900 from some loyal East Texas diners. Crystal Wilson of Lufkin says she’s thankful for “good people in this world.” Wilson on Monday learned that her dress, which she bought for $100 at a thrift store, was swiped during a break-in at a dry cleaners. She said there was no way to replace it, at the same cost, before her wedding. Wilson stopped by Lone Star Charlie’s Family Restaurant on Monday night. Owner Wade Jabbour said she had been a good worker, word of her plight got out and a dozen customers gave her money. Wilson bought a new gown Tuesday.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man was arrested Saturday in connection with the death of his wife in motorcycle accident. Jesse Robert Huerta, 48, was booked into the Angelina County Jail on a charge of intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

According to an arrest affidavit, just after midnight on June 3, Huerta and his wife Maria, 42, left Wild Willies night club on his motorcycle and headed westbound on Frank Avenue. Huerta told police he thought he saw oncoming headlights in his lane. However, officers found no evidence that a vehicle was in his lane at the time of the accident. Huerta reportedly swerved and lost control, throwing the couple off the bike at Frank Avenue and Lufkin Avenue. When police arrived they found Maria unresponsive and transported her to Memorial Medical Center. She died later that morning from injuries sustained in the accident. Neither were wearing helmets.

TYLER – The owners of the proposed Double D Restaurant head back to state district court today in answer to a temporary restraining order against the business. Toys R Us, which owns the land where the restaurant is located, alleged breach of a commercial real estate lease. Judge Christi Kennedy said last week it had been hoped that the parties would settle the matter behind closed doors. But, when that did not happen, the judge extended the temporary restraining order and increased the bond to $200,000. Today’s hearing in 114th State district court determines if the restraining order is tossed out or if a permanent injunction is issued.

MARSHALL – The Department of Public Safety has identified a man found dead in Harrison County in a stolen car. He is Willie Macklin, 49, of Marshall. He was found in the overturned car on Tuesday morning about a mile north of Blocker Road on State Highway 31. He appeared to have been traveling south at a high speed when the car missed a curve, left the road and flipped, hit a tree and ended upside down. Macklin, who was not wearing a seat belt, ended up in the back seat. An unidentified woman who was with him was arrested on outstanding warrants.

TYLER — Three scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler have been awarded a total of $616,830 in competitive grants. Their research projects could lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and tuberculosis.

Hua Tang, Ph.D., an associate professor of biochemistry, received a two-year, $382,830 grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate how capillaries, tiny, one-cell-thick blood vessels, form from pre-existing blood vessels.

This process is called angiogenesis and is essential in helping tumors grow and spread. Angiogenesis also has been linked to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries that causes cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Tang is studying the role of a natural chemical in the body called protein kinase D2 (PKD2) in regulating the growth of these tiny blood vessels. The idea is that understanding how PKD2 controls blood vessels’ growth can lead to better treatments for cancer and other diseases.

Jian Fu, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biochemistry, received a two-year, $140,000 grant from the American Heart Association (AHA) to examine a specific type of lung injury. He is exploring how a protein called Sirt1 tells lung cells injured by sepsis, a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by a bacterial infection, to die.

Each year about 750,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with sepsis, and it is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Hema Kothari, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate, received a two-year, $94,000 grant from the AHA to investigate the role of a protein called tissue factor in the development of tuberculosis.

Proteins are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs; each protein has unique functions. Hormones, enzymes, and antibodies are all examples of proteins.

Tissue factor is the protein that begins the blood-clotting process. People infected with TB sometimes develop blood clots. The purpose of Dr. Kothari’s research is to determine if tissue factor is involved in limiting the spread of TB bacteria or if it helps TB bacteria survive in the body.

Understanding the relationship between tissue factor and TB could lead to new treatments for this infectious disease, which kills almost 2 million people throughout the world each year.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Officials with the Texas Forest Service say a fire in Cherokee County was started by an illegal burn. Authorities say a resident was cooking corn in an outdoor boiler when the fire got out of control. They say he’s likely to face a burn ban violation as well as reckless endangerment of property. Livestock was endangered, a house was evacuated and choppers took to the skies. Michael Batton with the Texas Forest Service says the fire spread rapidly. Numerous departments were called to the scene of the five acre fire on County Road 1615 off of Hwy 69, south of Jacksonville.

TYLER — The owner of Where’s Rufus Sports Bar in Tyler is pressing charges against a woman he says stole money from several tip jars Saturday night. Shaun Galbraith said the bar’s surveillance video caught King stealing money and an entire tip jar, putting it into her purse. According to KETK, Galbraith says he reviewed the tape, confronted Molly King, 21, about the incident and detained her until Tyler Police arrived at the scene.

Tyler Police say they have issued a warrant, but the case is still under investigation. They say they need to determine what she’ll be charged with, depending on how much cash was taken, before they make an arrest.

King had been released from the Smith County jail on August 4th after another theft charge. Police say she could face jail time and up to a $500 fine.

SMITH COUNTY – A fire in Eastern Smith County has destroyed a mobile home. The fire was reported yesterday on Goforth Road near the Smith/Gregg County line. Firemen were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby wooded area. No word on what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

TROUP — According to Smith County Fire Officials, a grass fire has been extinguished near the Dollar Store on the 1400 block of West Duval Street in Troup. Firefighters requested the Texas Forest Service helicopters to assist them.

KILGORE – A small fire near the Danville Farm was quickly extinguished yesterday. The Christmas tree farm was not damaged and the fire was contained to a small wooded area east of the farm. It is unknown what caused the one acre fire.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County fire departments have been moving throughout the county the last couple of days battling fires caused by intensely dry conditions and low humidity. “All you have to do is go outside and walk in your grass to know why we’re having more fires,” Texas Forest Service Urban Wildland Interface Specialist Jan Amen said. “This is a drought worse than the last 100 years, and we have no end to it in sight.”

Nacogdoches County fire departments and the Texas Forest Service on Tuesday battled a several-acre fire that threatened at least three homes on CR 113 in the North Redland community. A forest service helicopter was dispatched to the fire in an effort to combat the areas which weren’t accessible to fire trucks, said Rodney Witaker, Lilbert/Looneyville Volunteer Fire Department safety officer.

LONGVIEW (AP) – An East Texas man has been accused of killing his father who earlier raised mental stability concerns about the son. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Anthony Cort Phelan of Longview was jailed Wednesday on a murder charge, with bond at $500,000. Electronic jail records did not list an attorney for Phelan, who allegedly had blood on him when he was arrested Tuesday walking near Lake Cherokee. Investigators say 64-year-old Johnny Phelan minutes earlier called 911 to say he was being attacked by his son at their home. Chief Deputy Chuck Willeford says the father apparently was stabbed after calling. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Deputies on July 23 were also summoned by the father, who reported his son had mental issues and wasn’t taking his medicine.

TYLER (AP) – Some criminal justice students in East Texas will take a crack at a cold case: the 1995 theft of a statue of a former college president. Tyler Junior College President Mike Metke on Tuesday announced renewed efforts to find the bronze statue of Harry Jenkins. Jenkins led TJC from 1946 to 1980. He died in 1983. The $30,000 statue was erected four years later outside Wise Cultural Arts Plaza. Jason Waller, who leads the TJC criminal justice program and worked with Jenkins, says students will help law officers follow up on leads. Crime Stoppers has pledged a $5,000 reward for information leading to the statue, with reported sightings ranging from a fraternity house to the bottom of Lake Tyler.

MARSHALL — A fire that broke out Monday on a Harrison County pine plantation had consumed 450 acres by late Tuesday, fire officials said, placing it among the largest blazes in county history. Firefighters had contained the fire by Tuesday afternoon, Texas Forest Service officials said, after working more than 24 hours at the Phoenix Pine Plantation on Peters Chapel road near Texas 43 North, about 10 miles from Marshall. The property is owned by the family of state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who was on site Tuesday surveying the damage. The Simpson family company, Avinger Timber, owns 6,500 acres in Harrison County.