TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.
UNDATED – The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to continue this week in Henderson and Gregg counties. The crews are scheduled to be at work this week in the following locations in the order they appear, weather permitting:
First Crew
* Farm Road 2495 east of Athens between State Highway 31 and Farm Road 317 near the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center;
* Farm Road 317 in Henderson County between State Highway 31 northeast of Athens and Farm Road 1803;
* Farm Road 2494 in Henderson County between U.S. Highway 175 near TVCC and Farm Road 753 west of southwest of Athens;
* Farm Road 3441 in Henderson County between State Highway 31 in Malakoff and Farm Road 59 in Cross Roads; and
* State Highway 334 in Henderson County between State Highway 274 in Seven Points and U.S. Highway 175 east of Gun Barrel City
Second Crew
* State Highway 31 in Gregg County between Longview and Kilgore;
* Farm Road 2208 in Longview between U.S. Highway 80 and the Upshur County Line;
* U.S. Highway 259 in Longview between North Loop 281 and Farm Road 1844; and
* U.S. Highway 271 in Gladewater between the Upshur County Line and State Highway 135;
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.
SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing work on Farm Road 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway) between Lynch Drive and U.S. Highway 69 in Bullard, followed by the same work on Farm Road 346 in Flint between Farm Road 2868 and U.S. Highway 69. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.
GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several weeks of base and pavement repairs on State Highway 149 between State Highway 322 in Lakeport and Farm Road 2906 (Easton Road).
Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Some overnight lane closures are possible with this work.
HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on State Highway 64 between the Henderson Star and State Highway 42. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several days of resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Farm Road 855 in Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers in two-lane areas.
WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several weeks of resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 80 between East Loop 564 and Farm Road 778. Crews will also be making base repairs in the same work area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base repairs on Farm Road 1255 northeast of Canton. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.
REDLAND — The DeSoto-based American Indian Cultural Society remembered the Battle of the Neches during a weekend ceremony in Van Zandt County’s Redland community. The pivotal battle spurred the wholesale exodus of Native Americans from Texas in 1839. Key event organizer Eagle Douglas says there’s a renewed emphasis on maintaining the land where the battle ended –which the society now owns, and where the ceremony is held each July. “The land needs to be self-sufficient so the history that is here can go on to future generations,” says Douglas. The society’s also working to add some new touches, possibly a library, a visiting center, and a wellness center, according to Douglas. For more information or to learn how you can help, you can contact Douglas at 
TYLER — The countdown begins to the 77th Texas Rose Festival, October 14-16. At a celebration over the weekend, festival organizers thanked the corporate sponsors and 800-plus volunteers. It’s been a summer of dress rehearsals and other preparations, and Rose Queen Mary-Lawson Bracken Walden told what she’s liked the most about it all. She cited “getting to learn more about my heritage in Tyler and just learning more about the community and being able to help out.” That said, all the work has kept Mary-Lawson plenty busy. She remarks, “When I got asked and I accepted, I was very excited, and I knew it was gonna be a lot, but it’s a lot more than a lot — but it’s fun.”
TYLER (AP/STAFF) A Smith County jury has convicted and delivered a life sentence against a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club that used children as performers. The panel decided within a half hour Thursday that Dennis Pittman, 47, will serve at least 15 years of his prison sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Pittman had been found guilty earlier in the day of engaging in organized criminal activity. The jury deliberated about 1½ hours before convicting Pittman, who was the fourth of six defendants to be tried in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. Pittman’s defense will file a motion for a new trial. In June, an appeals court overturned convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.
KILGORE — A powered wheelchair is reportedly stolen from a Vietnam Veteran at Brookshires in Kilgore. According to KETK, Fred Niles says he went into the store for about an hour and when he came back, his handicap walker was gone. Security tapes show a man in his 50’s swapped the stores power chair with Niles’, then loading it into an SUV. 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP/Staff) – Cast iron pipe manufacturer McWane Inc. has agreed to pay $4 million in civil penalties and spend $9.1 million to protect communities near its plants in 14 states in a settlement with federal environmental regulators. McWane is the parent company of Tyler Pipe. The Environmental Protection Agency said the settlement with Alabama’s McWane resolves more than 400 violations of air and water quality standards at 28 plants. The EPA statement Wednesday said McWane already has spent more than $7.6 million on corrective measures. The company previously paid more than $25 million in criminal fines and penalties for environmental violations. In Birmingham, McWane President Ruffner Page Jr. said the settlement marks the beginning of the final chapter in its effort to be in full compliance with environmental standards.
AUSTIN — Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. Among the changes announced Wednesday, State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler was named chairman of the Administration Committee, and Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville was named chairman of the Nominations Committee. 
TYLER — Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson is recovering at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital following emergency brain surgery. Jimerson had been complaining of headaches for about a week. After the emergency room staff at Henderson’s East Texas Medical Center found swelling in his brain, Jimerson was rushed to Tyler for Wednesday’s surgery. According to a news release, he is expected to make a full recovery.