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AUSTIN — State Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville has filed legislation that would prevent parents from intentionally exposing their minor children to hardcore pornographic material. Senate Bill 757 was inspired by Crystal Buckner, a Dallas mom whose ex-husband forced their two young daughters to watch hardcore pornography. Prosecutors had difficulty bringing charges in the case because of ambiguity in the way the law is currently written.

“This is an important step to protect children,” Deuell said. “Once this loophole is closed, no more parents will be able to hide behind the law while exposing their children to harmful material.”

With the help of the Rockwall-based Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation and its founder, J.J. Smith, Ms. Buckner’s story made national news and gained the attention of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. “Thanks to J.J. and Crystal’s hard work, parents across Texas can be confident that the state will always stand with them when they protect their children,” said Deuell.

BEAUMONT – A New Caney woman has become the final defendant to plead guilty to charges related to a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August, 2007. Carrie Christine Wood, 38, pleaded guilty to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, to-wit, conspiracy to murder David Mitchamore Thursday in Beaumont before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. According to information presented in court, Wood was a close associate and confidant of her co-defendant, Carl Carver, a general of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. Carver pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder of Mitchamore in January, 2011.

Authorities say the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) is a powerful race-based state-wide organization which operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the state of Texas and the United States. According to federal officials, 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 say 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, Christy Rochelle Brown, were murdered by Wood’s co-defendant, Brent Stalsby, as a result of a “direct order” issued by Carver. Carver issued the “direct order” because Mitchamore failed to repay an outstanding debt he allegedly owed to the Aryan Brotherhood general. Wood delivered the “direct order” issued by Carver to co-defendant Charles Cameron Frazier, who in turn, enlisted Stalsby to kill David Mitchamore. Stalsby and Frazier entered guilty pleas earlier this year. The bodies of Mitchamore and Brown were discovered in Nacogdoches County on August 10, 2007.

Two other individuals, Terry Stalsby and April Flanagan, both of Lufkin, have entered guilty pleas in relation to their involvement in the murder of Mitchamore and Brown. Wood faces up to ten years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

CANTON — Friends, family, and others are responding after 15-year-old Quitman ISD student Skylar Carpenter was killed in a rollover accident in Van Zandt County Thursday afternoon. Counselors from school districts around the area were at Quitman High School Friday to help students deal with the loss. Members of the Quitman community held a youth prayer gathering Friday night.

Reports indicate a teacher, Debra Holcombe, was driving a suburban with 6 students to an FFA event in San Antonio when it happened. They were southbound on Farm Road 17 just north of Interstate 20, outside Canton. Mrs. Holcombe drifted off the right side of the road and overcorrected, sending the vehicle into a roll. Skylar was ejected from the SUV and killed. Her mom is the assistant principal of Quitman High School, and her dad is the Vice President of the school board. Three students were taken to Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital for treatment. Erica Blalock was critically injured and was airlifted to Mother Frances. She is said to be in critical condition. The driver and two other students were uninjured.

TYLER — The Tyler 21 Steering Committee, a citizen group originally formed to guide development of the city’s twenty-year comprehensive plan, will meet this morning to receive its third annual implementation update. The meeting’s set for 11:30 at City Hall. The Tyler 21 plan was formally adopted by the City Council in November 2007. As part of the implementation plan, city staff will provide an annual update on the status of implementation of the plan.

According to materials from the city, the 20-year plan creates a strategic framework for future actions for the city and will act as a guide as the city continues to grow. Officials say it defines a vision for the future linked to overall goals and policies, containing strategies and action items for achieving the goals. The Tyler 21 Plan took 18 months to construct, and more than 1,000 Tylerites provided input into its development through an unprecedented public involvement process. The input gathered from the public involvement process was used to establish the vision and principles that became the framework for the nearly 500-page plan. More than 100 citizen volunteers participated on working groups to further define the key issues and strategies to address the long-term future needs of the City.

The Tyler 21 Plan addresses issues such as downtown revitalization, north end revitalization, transportation, historic preservation, parks and recreation, transportation, housing and neighborhoods, public facilities, and the economy.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials are looking for hay thieves. Several hay bales were stolen from Lone Star Farm and Home in Henderson on December 30th. On January 15th, authorities found the 32-ft. trailer allegedly used to steal the hay abandoned on FM 9 and FM 2655. KETK reports they have not found the stolen hay or the people who took it. If you have any information about the crime, you are urged to contact CrimeStoppers at (903) 655-TIPS (8477).

MARSHALL — Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist University officials have entered into a partnership that will benefit KC students who seek a baccalaureate degree after earning their associate degree. KC President Dr. Bill Holda and ETBU President Dr. Dub Oliver signed the articulation agreement in front of representatives and students from both schools Thursday in the Woods Great Room of ETBU’s Ornelas Student Center.

“Kilgore College has enjoyed a great long-term relationship with East Texas Baptist University. ETBU is a great institution for our region and a number of our students select ETBU as their university in which to transfer,” Holda said. “All of us can help our students by giving them more options and using articulation agreements to facilitate transfer. We look forward to this most recent step in improving the partnership between Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist University.”

ETBU President Dr. Oliver said that he is grateful for the strong foundation provided by KC to the students who transfer to ETBU. “We find that Kilgore College graduates are well prepared to succeed academically and also fully engage the learning experience offered by taking on leadership positions throughout campus. We celebrate our strong bond, and look forward to even greater collaboration in the years ahead as we seek to fulfill our respective missions,” Oliver said.

With the signing of this formal articulation agreement, both institutions agree to a framework that promotes development of programmatic and institutional articulation for KC students as they continue their educational career beyond the associate degree level. Officials say students who begin at the community college level can plan their transition to complete their baccalaureate degree without fear of courses not transferring or not directly applying to their major field of study.

“What a privilege to build on the successful partnership between East Texas Baptist University and Kilgore College,” said ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sherilyn Emberton. “This articulation agreement will allow us to expand our collaboration in providing a seamless transition for students as they move from earning the associate degree to achieving the baccalaureate degree.”

The signing of the agreement ended the festivities of Kilgore College Day at ETBU. Earlier in the day, KC representatives and students took a tour of the new Ornelas Student Center. A luncheon and reception were held in their honor as well. The reception allowed the KC delegation to visit with ETBU faculty as well as current students who have successfully transferred from the two-year institution to ETBU. “We look forward to this most recent step in improving the partnership between Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist University,” Holda said.

WINNSBORO — A former Winnsboro High School band director was taken into custody, again, this week. Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies say they issued a warrant for Paul Bramlett’s arrest Monday. Bramlett turned himself in Tuesday and is now out on bond. Bramlett was indicted last March on 8 counts of sexual contact and 8 counts of sexual assault.

RUSK — A toddler who shot himself is now expected to recover. The Cherokee County youngster, Vaughn Taylor, spent several days in critical condition in a Dallas hospital after he shot himself in the chest in his home. Child Protective Services is involved with the case and says the child is now out of critical condition. Vaughn is expected to stay in the hospital for at least another couple of weeks. Robyn Taylor, Vaughn’s grandmother, says she is so grateful for the progress Vaughn is making, but she says there’s still a long road ahead. She says it’s unclear whether Vaughn will ever have use of his right arm or hand.

Deputies say the boy’s mother was in the living room during the time of the incident. They say the gun was on a dividing wall between the living room and kitchen. The little boy appears to have used a stool to get the gun case. That’s when he allegedly opened the case and shot himself once in the upper right chest, just below the collarbone. The gun is said to have been a small caliber semi-automatic with a round-chambered and fully-loaded magazine.

TYLER – With less funds expected from the state, school districts around Texas are looking at ways to trim their budgets. In Tyler, some school district employees will be receiving funds for their early resignation. The school superintendent tells the staff in a letter that a $2,500 incentive will be handed out to certain employees who turn in their resignation early. It is first come-first served, and only for the first 35 employees who turn in their resignation.

Another way to trim the budget is through an increase in class size. The district may increase the class size to 24 students per teacher in the elementary grades. More of the district plans may come out at tonight’s school board meeting. The meeting will include a discussion of the budget.

NACOGDOCHES – One person has been arrested in connection with a hit and run accident in Nacogdoches. Jafrina Seymone Jackson, 19, of Nacogdoches, turned herself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon. She has been charged with felony failure to stop and render aid in connection with the accident that seriously injured Jose Guadalupe Ramirez, 48, of Nacogdoches.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches traffic stop has resulted in a drug bust. In custody is Thomas A. Porter, 35, of Pleasureville, Kentucky. A state trooper stopped him for speeding on U.S. Highway 59. Porter gave the officer permission to search the pickup and the horse trailer it was pulling. Inside the trailer the officer found a false compartment in the roof. Inside was 113 pounds of marijuana and nearly one thousand Hydrocodone pills. Now, the speeding ticket is the less of Porter’s troubles. He has been charged with first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony.

KILGORE — A Kilgore fire has turned up a meth lab and three persons have been arrested. It all began early Wednesday morning when a fire was reported at America’s Best Value Inn and Suites on U.S. Highway 259. Firemen found the cause of the fire was a meth lab. In the room they found 4 grams of meth along with manufacturing equipment and a large amount of counterfeiting equipment, counterfeit checks and money, and forged IDs. Arrested were Rebecca Crystal Good, 30, Tammy Joe Sparks, 40, and John Carroll Moore, 52, all of Kilgore. The women have been charged with possession of a controlled substance while Moore was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.

CROCKETT — An East Texas man is dead after reportedly knocking on a door to start an argument. Crockett Police say Tony Robinson shot Aundra Hamilton. Investigators say when Hamilton went to Robinson’s door, Robinson began fighting with him outside. Hamilton died when Robinson pulled the trigger of a pistol. No word yet on what the two were arguing about. Robinson is facing murder charges.

AUSTIN – A Smith County group is a plaintiff in a taxpayer lawsuit to stop state expenditures for implementing the health care reform law, now that the federal statute has been declared unconstitutional. The Justice Foundation, a non-profit litigation firm in San Antonio that represents clients in public interest and limited government cases, is representing plaintiffs JoAnn Fleming and Grassroots America – We the People (GAWTP). The group, which Fleming serves as executive director, is termed the largest constitutional conservative citizen organization in East Texas.

According to the plaintiffs, Texas has judicially admitted that the law is unconstitutional. A federal judge in Florida has agreed and declared the provision requiring individuals to purchase insurance unconstitutional; therefore, Fleming claims the whole act is unconstitutional. She says Texas should stop spending anything on implementation. According to material provided by GAWTP, “Taxpayers can sue to stop future illegal spending in Texas, but they cannot get the money back once it is spent. That is why we filed suit now.” Fleming says the Texas Legislature can make the suit moot if it refuses to appropriate money to implement the law.

GLADEWATER — Gladewater ISD Superintendent J.P. Richardson is taking a 5%, self-proposed pay cut in light of state budget cuts that will cause the district to lose about $2 million annually during the next two years. “As we approach this difficult time as a district, I feel that if my family (school employees) will suffer and with the loss of jobs and possible pay freezes, that as CEO/superintendent of Gladewater ISD that I consciously could not accept a pay increase at this time,” Richardson said. In January, Gladewater trustees set Richardson’s 2011-12 salary at $131,250. The amount included a 5% pay raise.

LUFKIN — A driver in an accident that killed one Pollok man and injured another last Wednesday will face criminal charges after he’s recovered from his injuries, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. Currently listed in good condition at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston, Isaac Tucker, 19, has a warrant out for his arrest on one count of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault, according to DPS trooper Joe Wood.

Tucker’s passenger Nicholas Zayne Anthony, 20, of Pollok, died at the scene, while passenger Ryan Walton, 19, of Pollok, was in critical condition in East Texas Medical Center Tyler as of Friday. An update on his condition Tuesday was not available, as he’s been listed as a “no information” patient, according to hospital officials.

The accident happened shortly after 12:30 Wednesday morning, one mile north of Farm Road 843 on U.S. Highway 69 north, where Tucker’s 1995 Lexus crossed the center line heading southbound and collided with a Kenworth truck towing a trailer driven by Michael Sutton, 40, of Louisiana, according to a DPS report. Tucker and Walton were taken to Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin and then airlifted to the separate, out-of-town hospitals. Anthony was laid to rest Sunday, according to his obituary.

COMO — A Hopkins County man has died when a tree he was burning fell on him. Dead at the scene was Domingo Perez, 67. Investigators say he was trapped under the burning tree and burned to death. The body has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy. The accident happened Monday night in a pasture on U.S. Highway 69 south of Como.

TYLER — A Tyler jury has assessed a 20 year prison term to a Smith County man for the sexual assault of a child. The sentence was handed down yesterday to Darren Ray Dickens, 45. He pled guilty last week to sexually assaulting some young teenage girls in his home. His sentencing trial was held in Tyler’s 241st State District Court.

FLINT — One person is in custody after leading officers on a nearly 30 minute chase in the southwest part of Smith County. It all started early Tuesday morning on Farm Road 2493. The car stopped near the Southern Trace subdivision near Flint after officers shot at and hit the car’s engine. Taken into custody was Brian Wesley Dowdle, 36, of Flint. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest, criminal mischief, and a parole violation. Investigators say that Dowdle nearly hit some officers who were on foot, but no injuries were reported.

LINDALE — They are still the same campuses that have been a part of Lindale ISD for decades, but they will receive new looks and new names next year. Monday night the Lindale ISD school board approved the name change of the current Lindale Primary School to College Street Elementary School with the start of the 2011-2012 school year. E.J. Moss Intermediate School will become E.J. Moss East and E.J. Moss West next year.

The name changes come in response to the district’s campus realignment after the passage of the 2009 bond election. The $42 million bond includes the construction of a new junior high campus and the addition of classrooms at the high school to eliminate overcrowding. The district approved the realignment of several campuses to help with future student population growth. The current primary campus serves students in first and second grade. Under the 2011-2012 realignment, the campus would serve grades 1-3. Velma Penny Elementary School currently educates students in grades 3-4. The realignment calls for Velma Penny to also serve students in grades 1-3 starting next year.

“A new name was necessary to prevent confusion concerning our two elementary campuses,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “College Street Elementary School is a great name because the campus is on College Street, helping to identify the location. It is also symbolic in that we will prepare our young students for college careers if they chose to pursue degrees.”

E.J. Moss Intermediate School will also have a new identity. The campus neighbors the current Lindale Junior High School. The two campuses will be joined to form one school next year. Lindale Junior High School will move to its new building. When the two buildings are connected, the current intermediate campus will be known as E.J. Moss East, and the former junior high building will be E.J. Moss West. Fourth grade students and half of the fifth grade will work out of the E.J. Moss East building, and half of fifth grade and all of sixth grade will work out of E.J. Moss West. There will be functioning cafeterias in each building, two gymnasiums, and two offices. “I am most excited about our plan that prepares this school district for the next 10 to 12 years,” Surratt said. “This plan will provide every campus with room for growth.”

Lindale ISD has grown from 3,338 students in May 2007 to currently 3,778 students, a rate of growth of 13.2%. The campus realignment will give College Street Elementary and Velma Penny Elementary schools capacities of 600. The projected enrollment is 427 students at each campus next year. EJ Moss East and West will have a capacity of 1,200 with a projected enrollment of 838 students. The high school expansion will allow for a capacity of 1,460 students with a projected enrollment for next year of 1,128.

LONGVIEW — According to Longview City Secretary Shelly Ballenger, two candidates have filed to run in the May 14 General Election for City Council. In District 3, 52-year-old administrator/educator Carlton W. Mitchell has filed for the post currently held by Sidney Bell Willis. In District 4, 75-year-old incumbent Wayne Frost has filed for another term. Filing for a place on the ballot began on February 12 and continues through March 14. The last day for a regular write-in candidate to declare candidacy for the General Election is March 21.

HALLSVILLE — An East Texas school chief is asked to leave his post. Hallsville ISD board members met Monday. During the meeting, board member Harold Hunt asked Superintendent Greg Wright to resign. The district recently had to pay the Texas Education Agency over $7 million following unfavorable financial reports. Wright did not respond to Hunt’s comments, and the board took no action on the request.

BEAUMONT – Authorities say a major fugitive wanted on an outstanding Polk County warrant for murder has been arrested by U.S. Marshals of the Joint East Texas Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, Nacogdoches Police Department and Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office. Cordell Renard Green was being sought by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He’s charged with the murder of Heather Dorris, 25, in Polk County.

On February 11, the United States Marshals Service received a request from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance in locating and apprehending Green. During the course of the investigation, deputies received information placing Green in Alto. Deputies, along with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Alto Police Department, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, responded to Alto in an attempt to locate Green. Authorities say Green was able to elude law enforcement until early Saturday morning when a tip from the Alto community placed Green in a wooded area west of town. Cherokee County authorities, the Alto Police Department, a DPS air unit, and a Texas Department of Criminal Justice K-9 unit were reportedly able to track Green through the wooded area to County Road 2501, where authorities say it appears he was picked up by an unknown accomplice.

On Sunday, the USMS received information placing Green at an address on Woden Road in Nacogdoches. Authorities say deputies, along with members of the Nacogdoches Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, converged on the residence, located Green and took him into custody without incident.

NACOGDOCHES — No charges have been filed in a fatal car/pedestrian accident in Nacogdoches. Killed in the Monday night accident was Lynde Kristine Chunn, 28, of Nacogdoches. Investigators say she was crossing in the 4600 block of North Street when she stepped into the path of an oncoming car.

SWAN — A near-fatal crash lands one person in the hospital. State troopers say a woman’s in critical condition after her vehicle crashed into a truck. KETK reports it happened in the Swan community, north of Tyler, around 3 Monday afternoon. That’s when troopers say the woman veered into the path of an oncoming rig towing another 18-wheeler. Troopers say the woman was pinned in the wreck and had to be cut from the wreckage.

TYLER — As part of the Mayor’s Tree Initiative, Artmire’s Urban Forestry has donated 1,000 trees per year for the next five years to be planted at select locations in Faulkner Park, Rose Rudman Trail and Creekside Trail. The project includes all seedlings, amendments and labor for the plantings of Dogwoods, Eastern Redbud and American Beauty Berry. Planting is expected to commence today. “We are so thankful to Artmire’s for their generous donation,” commented Mayor Barbara Bass. “This is a huge step forward in our effort to plant trees throughout the City and to keep Tyler’s urban forest thriving.”

The Mayor’s Tree Tyler initiative was launched in early 2010 with a goal to plant 5,000 trees in five years. Residents are encouraged to go to http://www.TreeTyler.com to register their tree plantings. Since the launch of the program, nearly 400 trees have been registered. “With this new donation, our annual count will reach 1,400 trees,” added Mayor Bass. “Along with our partnership with LT24 and the upcoming Tree Tyler Day, I have no doubt that we will reach our goal well ahead of schedule.”

The City is partnering with LT 24 to hold Tree Tyler Day on March 19, 2011. Tree Tyler Day will give the community the opportunity to come together to work toward reaching the Mayor’s goal of planting 5,000 trees in five years at an inaugural community-wide tree planting event. The partnership sprouted when Mayor Bass spoke with members of the Leadership Tyler 24 class and challenged them to get on board to support the Tree Tyler Initiative. Many members of the class met several times to discuss how they could become involved and ultimately formed LT24.

Between now and the March event, LT 24 will be seeking sponsors for the tree planting event. With sponsorship opportunities ranging from a single tree all the way to 100 trees, the entire community, from school classes to the City’s largest businesses, is encouraged to participate. Go to http://www.TreeTyler.com or http://www.cityoftyler.org to view a flyer detailing Tree Tyler Day sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors who have already committed to the event include: Leo Mack Jr., Adams Engineering, the Native Plant Society, Tyler Men’s Garden Club, Salon Verve and the Bob Shelton Family. To sign up as a Tree Tyler Day sponsor, you can contact the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department at (903) 531-1370.

TYLER — In an effort to bring closure to unresolved warrants, the Tyler Municipal Court has announced that it will participate in the fifth annual statewide warrant sweep set to begin March 5. More than 240 agencies across Texas will be taking part in this effort to resolve outstanding warrants. “Similar sweeps held in past years have been very effective,” said Court Administrator Cam McCabe. “In a concentrated amount of time we have cleared several thousand warrants.” Arrests during the sweep will focus on warrants from all of the participating jurisdictions. Although the concentration is on Class C charges, which include traffic, criminal parking, penal code and City ordinance violations, higher charge warrants will also be served.

Affected persons are urged to contact the appropriate jurisdiction to dispose of their cases voluntarily. For assistance with resolving an outstanding warrant, contact the Municipal Court at 903531-1266. Warrants can also be paid online at http://www.CityofTyler.org under the “I Want To” menu at the top of the page. A kiosk in the lobby of the Municipal Court is also available for those paying with credit cards. Last year during the warrant sweep, the Tyler Municipal Court cleared 2,150 warrants. The Court is open Monday through Friday from 7:00am until 5:00pm.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are investigating a reported stabbing that lands one woman in jail. It happened Saturday night around 10:30 at 301 Bates Street. Upon arrival, police found the victim, a 26-year-old male, suffering from a stab wound to the chest. The victim was transported to Good Shepherd Hospital. Details of his condition have not been released. Charlene Marie Jackson, 50,Kilgore, was identified by witnesses as the person who stabbed the victim with a knife. She was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony two offense and booked into the Kilgore City Jail. She has since been taken to the Gregg County Jail with bond set at $25,000.00.

GREGG COUNTY — Jury selection begins next Monday for 34-year-old Toronto Eldermek Lockridge, one of two men accused in a 2009 fatal shooting and arson. Lockridge, of Lakeport, faces up to life in prison for shooting 33-year-old Kelvin Muckleroy. Muckleroy’s body was found inside the torched remains of his Chappell Street home, but investigators determined he was shot before the house fire was set.

Lockridge had initially posted $150,000 bond from the Gregg County Jail in January 2010. He was arrested again four days later on a firearm charge, but posted a $35,000 bond on Feb. 18. He has been in jail since Dec. 7 on his latest charge — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for threatening a witness in Muckleroy’s homicide — authorities said. He remains jailed on $150,000 bond.

Gregg County District Judge Alfonso Charles in November convicted co-defendent Brandon Quadnell Horne, 31, of Longview, for his part in Muckleroy’s slaying. A sentencing hearing has not been set, and Horne remains in the Gregg County Jail, records showed.

NACOGDOCHES — Stephen F. Austin State University student Christopher Lamb, 22, was found dead in the living room of a residence in the 1500 block of Leita Lane early Sunday. Lamb reportedly attended a party at the residence on Saturday night, and spent the night sleeping in a chair. He was found around 8 a.m. Sunday by the home’s residents, according to the police report.