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TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association hosted a “marquee lighting ceremony” Friday to mark the beginning of the renovations of the former Liberty Theatre in the heart of downtown. The Tyler 21 Master Plan called for Downtown Tyler to become an arts and cultural district as a strategy to spur private reinvestment and revitalization. To advance this goal, the City of Tyler purchased the former Liberty Theatre in 2008 and entered into a memorandum of understanding with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association (ETSOA). The city and ETSOA agreed to to lead an effort to raise the funds needed to renovate the theatre into a performing arts hall that they hope will be a destination point for arts and culture in East Texas.

In January 2009, the Liberty capital campaign was launched with a commitment of $500,000 from the Genecov Group followed by a $100,000 pledge by KSA/Wisenbaker, Fix and Associates in July and a $250,000 donation by Brandon Steele of Ryno Corporation in September. The Women’s Symphony League of Tyler pledged $10,000, and additional large pledges and donations have been made totaling $100,000. Also, the Give Me Liberty Seat Sale has raised $68,000 that has been added to the campaign to fund the rebirth of the theatre into a performing arts hall. The seat sale provides the opportunity for citizens to sponsor a seat with a pledge of as little as $1,000.

The architect for the renovation project is Mike Butler, AIA, of Butler Architectural Group in Tyler. Renderings of the project have been drafted and depict an adaptive reuse that officials say retains the flavor of much of the building’s façade. The theatre’s interior will seat 300. Management and ownership of the theater will be transferred to the ETSOA upon completion of all renovations, with the City maintaining some oversight related to funding for tourism related activities. It is anticipated that the construction contract for the project will be awarded in the next month.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center is announcing its 2010-2011 show lineup. It features four shows in the Performance Series, four shows in the Concert series and two in the new Children’s and Family Series. The Performance Series includes three Broadway productions and the ballet classic “Swan Lake.” Musical guests include Asleep At the Wheel, Al Jarreau, and Jim Brickman. Event ticket packages are now on sale. “We think this fourth season at the Belcher Center is the best one yet,” said Cynthia Hellen, director of the Belcher Center. “This year we are including more flexibility for people to personalize their event ticket packages with a variety of discounts available, depending on how many shows they choose.” You can go to http://www.BelcherCenter.com for a full rundown.

HOUSTON (AP) — A lawsuit by a former Houston family alleges four members were molested by a Roman Catholic priest in the 1970s. The Rev. Lawrence Peguero died in 2000. The Port Arthur native was 79. The Houston Chronicle reported Friday that Peguero formerly was at Our Lady of St. John Catholic Church in Houston.

Family attorney John Sloan Jr. of Longview says the molestation allegations involve four relatives who are now adults, one man and three women. The lawsuit filed Wednesday against the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston seeks unspecified compensation. Archdiocese spokeswoman Jenny Faber says an attorney for the family complained about Peguero in 2007. Church-sponsored counseling was offered, but the plaintiffs declined.

SMITH COUNTY — Jury selection begins in the Smith County trial of Dennis Pittman, a defendant in the Mineola child sex ring case. According to KETK, Pittman is the fourth person to be tried in the case where young children were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts for the customers. The trial begins next week.

TYLER — After several years of leading the instructional support services and bilingual department of the Tyler Independent School District, Dr. H.T. Sanchez, Executive Director of Instructional Support Services, has decided to leave Tyler ISD. Sanchez plans to return to the school district where he began his career to become the assistant superintendent for accountability and special populations for Ector County Independent School District.

“Dr. Sanchez has been dedicated to the education of our children in Tyler ISD and we will miss his knowledge and expertise and appreciate his years of service,” said Dr. Randy Reid, Superintendent of Schools. “We wish him well in his new endeavors.”

Prior to being the Executive Director of Instructional Support Services, Sanchez has headed the bilingual services of the school District as well as the former principal of Dogan Middle School

“I have enjoyed my years here at Tyler ISD because of the many wonderfully talented people I have worked with and the numerous goals and accomplishments we have achieved together,” said Sanchez.

Reid also stated that Tyler ISD has quality staff in place to continue the functions of this position until a suitable replacement may be found. Sanchez begins his new role with Ector County ISD effective August 1, 2010.

MARSHALL — One person has been killed in a Harrison County construction accident. It happened just before 11:00 Wednesday morning on Interstate Highway 20, about a half a mile west of its intersection with State Highway 43. Investigators say the victim was backed into by a truck that had started to lay down a new line of asphalt. The name of the victim, said to be a Marshall resident, has not been released.

TYLER — A woman’s partially-burned body was found last month, and evidence shows a Whitehouse woman may be involved. According to KETK, the homicide may be linked to Kimberly Cargill, 43. Cargill is facing charges regarding her four-year-old son. Cherry Walker was scheduled to testify in the case. However, Walker was killed five days before the hearing. Walker’s murder happened the day after she was issued the subpoena.

The affidavits state detectives found a number of linking pieces of evidence: porn, burned paper, red soil, and human hair. All of the evidence was found in Cargill’s home and car. Detectives believe Cargill killed Walker and transported her body to a different location. One of Cherry’s friends says, “It keeps me awake at night…trying to figure out who did it. To think that somebody would do something like that to Cherry.”

Judge Jack Skeen recently raised Cargill’s bond from $50,000 to $500,000.

TEXARKANA — A Mount Pleasant man has been found guilty by a jury in a disability fraud scheme. Jim Bob Shipp, 60, was convicted Thursday of six counts of health care fraud and one count of making a false statement following a three day trial before U.S. District Judge David Folsom. Shipp faces up to five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to information presented in court, from October 25, 1974 to December 1, 2009, Shipp devised and executed a scheme to defraud the Veterans’ Affairs Disability Compensation Program by overstating the severity and extent of his disability. As part of the scheme, Shipp represented to doctors that he had extreme loss of vision in both eyes. As a result of these false claims, the Veterans’ Affairs Disability Compensation Program awarded Shipp compensation at the 100% rate when he was only entitled to a lesser evaluation at the 30% rate. As a result of the scheme, Shipp received payments totaling $804,522.57 from the program.

LONGVIEW — A Longview fire captain is listed in good condition after being injured. According to KETK, the Longview Fire Department was called out to the 1200 of Oden street around 1:30 a.m. Thursday for a residential fire. The captain suffered second degree burns to his ears while fighting the blaze. The fire has been ruled suspicious after officials decided it wasn’t electrical, gas-related, or sparked by other accidental causes. Authorities say the area has also seen several other fires in the past few months. The homeowner was able to escape without injury.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview are issuing a warning about outgoing mail. On Thursday, Longview Officers responded to a report of mail found in the roadway on Beverly, Live Oak and Carnegie Streets. Upon closer inspection, it was determined the mail had been stolen from mailboxes on Columbia, Miami, Clarendon, Stanford and Georgia Streets. Owners of the mail told officers the outgoing mail had been opened and checks had been stolen. The United States Postal Inspector’s Office in Fort Worth is investigating the thefts in conjunction with the Longview Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.

The Longview Police Department recommends that outgoing mail, specifically items of mail containing checks, only be placed in a postal drop box or given directly to a mail carrier. Police advise you not to leave received mail in your mailbox for extended periods of time, as anything left in a mailbox is vulnerable to thieves.
Residents are asked to keep an eye out for possible mail thieves and to call police if they see any suspicious activity.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire and Police Departments are preparing to strictly enforce laws regarding fireworks and discharging firearms within the City limits as residents celebrate the 4th of July.

City ordinance prohibits the use or possession of fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, skyrockets or sparklers. Officials say anyone caught using or transporting fireworks within the City limits will be issued a citation with fines in excess of $300. In addition, anyone using fireworks that result in a fire is subject to being charged criminally by the Fire Department.

Emergency dispatchers receive numerous “shots fired” calls on July 4th and New Year’s holidays, due to people who discharge firearms in the air. Authorities say this practice is extremely dangerous, as there is no way to predict where the bullet will fall and it could result in death or serious bodily injury. Discharging a firearm within the City limits is also against the law and police say anyone caught doing so will be arrested.

According to a police department news release, “Safe 4th of July celebrations are the goal of every member of the Longview Fire and Police Departments and we encourage every resident to help us ensure public safety by supporting the ban on fireworks and the illegal discharge of firearms.”

LONGVIEW — As many people take to the roads for the 4th of July holidays, the Longview Police Department wants to remind motorists to be safe.

• Wear your seatbelt. In the State of Texas, all occupants of a vehicle must wear their seatbelt, whether in the front or back seat. Police say seat belts are proven to save lives.

• If you are going to drink, have a designated driver. Longview Officers will be out in force over the 4th of July holiday and officers will be obtaining search warrants to obtain involuntary blood specimens from motorists who operate motor vehicles (including motorcycles) while intoxicated. 153 suspected drunk drivers have been arrested by Longview Officers from January 1, 2010 through May 30, 2010.

Officials ask you to use extra caution this weekend and do your part to ensure that Longview roadways are safe for everyone.

TYLER — PATH, People Attempting to Help, has kicked off its 2010 School Supply Train. PATH will be collecting school supplies for needy kids throughout July. You can go to http://www.PATHhelps.org for the list of the supplies being collected. Donations will be accepted at all Tyler-area fire stations and the PATH office, 402 W. Front St., Tyler. PATH will distribute all the school supplies to area elementary, middle and high schools before the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) held the official Grand Opening of the 700-acre North Business Park Thursday. Longview Mayor Jay Dean and Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt were on hand, along with LEDCO Board members, City Council members and other business and community leaders. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held by the Longview Partnership Chamber of Commerce, and lunch followed for guests attending the event. The 700-acre site was outside the Longview city limits when it was purchased by LEDCO in 2007, but has since been annexed. Officials say the Park’s strategic location provides easy access to US Highway 259 and I-20. The main entrance of the Park is on Judson Road, approximately 2.5 miles north of Loop 281.

LEDCO Board President Bob Metzler reported that in 2009 the board evaluated the economic situation and opted to begin construction taking advantage of lower construction costs. The entire project was completed early and under budget. The Groundbreaking ceremony was held in April of 2009 and the dirt work, construction of roads, water and sewer infrastructure and general site grading began immediately. “The contractors on this project are local so there has been a significant economic benefit to our community,” said Metzler. “During a slow economy, our project provided jobs to around 300 people over the course of the construction, in addition to the dollars spent with local suppliers of materials and services.”

The LEDCO board made the decision to promote the property earnestly while the infrastructure construction was underway. Interim Executive Director Susan Mazarakes said, “We’ve been marketing the acreage to prospects with actual photographs of the construction progress and a digital, 3-D animation of the Park. We now have the completed Park itself to show.”

Mazarakes anticipates the site will attract businesses that will complement and support existing industry in the area. “We worked with the City of Longview staff to have the Park acreage zoned properly. There are so many factors that go into the decision making process,” said Mazarakes. “We looked at the residential neighborhoods in the area and spoke with area business owners. We considered the city’s growth plan and projected roadway expansions and evaluated traffic studies. We also met with consultants who helped us determine the best future use for the property,” she concluded.

Mazarakes said that the Park site will continue to be marketed to real estate professionals and site selection consultants throughout the United States and abroad. If you are interested in more information about the available sites in the North Business Park or any other economic development initiatives in Longview, you’re asked to or visit http://www.LongviewUSA.com or contact the Longview Economic Development Corporation at 903-753-7878.

SMITH COUNTY — Residents of Smith County whose property was damaged or destroyed in a January tornado can apply for low-interest emergency disaster loans, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced. To qualify for the loan, residents must have sustained “severe physical loss” to their property due to the tornado that struck Van Zandt and surrounding counties on January 20, 2010. The loans are being made available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Contact their office for more information on the program at 903-561-2050.