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TYLER — Could you survive a month in poverty? That’s the question participants asked themselves and each other Friday in Tyler at a Community Action Poverty Simulation hosted by PATH. The simulation was made available by the Missouri Association for Community Action. According to PATH materials, “The simulation is a unique, interactive experience that helps people begin to understand what life is like with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress. It moves people to think about the harsh realities of poverty and to talk about how the community can address the problem. Most importantly, it moves people to make a difference.”

The half-day program brought together social service providers, local officials, clergy, educators, employers, and others to experience first-hand a typical month of living in poverty. Participants played the roles of family members struggling to meet basic needs without enough money. Then they came together to discuss how they felt and what they learned.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — One East Texas student was injured after a knife was allegedly pulled on a Douglass school bus, according to Nacogdoches County Sheriff officials. The victim was stabbed in the leg with a pocketknife during the drive back from a field trip. The bus was in the school parking lot when it happened. According to KETK, the student was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities have not yet interview the suspect, and his name has not been released.

LUFKIN — An Angelina College student turned himself in Wednesday evening after admittedly launching a samurai sword attack on a group of fellow students hours earlier. According to KETK, James Martin, 21, of Pineland pulled up next to the group sitting at a picnic table outside the Baptist Student Union, jumped out of his car with the sword and began cursing at them around 2:30. Martin then began flailing the sword around, striking the picnic table several times and hit a girl in leg. He faces a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a third-degree felony charge of prohibited weapon.

LONGVIEW — High winds are being blamed for a 5-acre Gregg County grass fire and an outage that left more than 4,200 county residents without electricity Thursday afternoon. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to a reported wildfire near Fuller and Huckaby roads, and AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co. officials were called to the Kilgore area to remove a tree that fell on a 69,000-volt transformer, which knocked out power to 4,279 Gregg County residents.

According to KETK, firefighters from Judson Metro, East Mountain and Longview departments and the Texas Forest Service were called to the grass fire about 1:30. Texas Forest Service Emergency Operation Center Coordinator Don Hannemann said the fire had been contained by 3:15. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said his department was called to provide aid to the Judson Metro Volunteer Fire Department because there were three homes in danger.

DIBOLL — A screwdriver-wielding robber and his two accomplices were brought down by a Diboll homeowner who had enough Tuesday evening. Kevin Cook (pictured), Joseph LeDoux and Faustino Villela, all 18, found themselves in Diboll Police custody after Cook, at 5-foot-9, 135 pounds, reportedly made the mistake of attempting to rob and stab a homeowner bigger than him. According to KETK, the trio hit the 700 block of Booker Street around 8:30 when Diboll Police dispatch received a report of a burglary in progress.

Authorities said the group bounced from house to house, gathering the items they wished to steal until Cook faced off against a 96-year-old homeowner who stood his ground. Fleeing from the home of the couple in their 90s, Cook then faced off against the homeowner who took him down. Cook was being held on a $43,000 bond Thursday afternoon, while LeDoux and Villela remained in jail on $10,000 bonds.

MARSHALL — Several members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Wiley College were suspended this week on allegations of hazing. Joseph L. Morale, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services at the college, declined to say how many members were suspended or what type of hazing activities they were accused of. According to the Longview News-Journal, an on-campus adviser of the group also was suspended in connection with the allegations. Morale wouldn’t confirm how many students have come forward with abuse allegations. He said the college does not tolerate hazing. College President, Haywood L. Strickland, addressed the severity of hazing at an event Tuesday.

GILMER – A Tyler man has received two life prison sentences after being convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Johnathan J. Darden, 29, was living in Gilmer at the time of the assaults last August. When he was arrested, Darden was on parole for three Smith County convictions of stalking, retaliation and injury to a child.

CANTON — The Narcotics Investigator and Deputies of the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office assisted the D.E.A. in arresting Justin Paul Brown of Callendar Lake on federal charges Thursday. The location on Pine Ridge had been under surveillance for some time. Authorities say Brown has been tied to the selling of marijuana to several drug houses in the Dallas area. Shortly after 7:00yesterday morning, Brown was stopped on a traffic violation near his residence. Upon entering the residence, agents seized and secured a fairly large amount of hydroponic marijuana, according to authorities. Brown was then taken into custody by the Federal Agents.

LONGVIEW – A third person has died from injuries received in a fiery Gregg County collision over the weekend. Fernando Marroquin, 21, died Thursday at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He had been flown there for treatment of severe burns and a broken back. Dead at the scene of the crash was Victor Hugo Castro, 22, and a passenger in his truck, Yalitza Diaz, 18, both from Longview. Marroquin was a passenger in their truck. Three other persons injured in the wreck had minor injuries and were treated and released.

The two vehicle accident happened on Interstate Highway 20 just east of the Highway 42 overpass around 3:15 Sunday morning. The Department of Public Safety says two trucks, which were driving side-by-side, were traveling too fast for the wet road. One of the pickups hydroplaned and hit the other pickup, which hit a concrete retaining wall. The trucks then burst into flames.

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators have arrested the suspect wanted in connection to the two aggravated robberies that occurred at East Texas Medical Center over that past several weeks. The suspect is identified as Royce Dewayne Allen, 32. Allen was placed under arrest around 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at 2318 S. Donnybrook, where he was living with his girlfriend. Allen had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for non-payment of child support. Investigators received information Wednesday morning that led them to the identity and location of Allen. Investigators say they’re confident that Allen is responsible for both attacks.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence Allen has been staying at on S. Donnybrook and also obtained an arrest warrant for aggravated robbery (1st degree felony). Police say a second arrest warrant will be obtained Thursday for aggravated robbery. Allen is currently in Smith County Jail on a $300,000 bond.

Following the arrest, East Texas Medical Center released the following statement: “East Texas Medical Center Tyler thanks the men and women of the Tyler Police Department for their hard work which led to an arrest in the robberies that occurred on our campus.

We are pleased that ETMC’s video surveillance cameras assisted the police in the apprehension of the suspect. We also thank the news media for their assistance in showing the video to help capture the suspect.

ETMC pledges to continue its focus on providing a high level of security to our visitors, patients and team members.”

TYLER — Tyler police have secured the second warrant on Royce D. Allen, 32, for the aggravated assault that took place on January 29 at East Texas Medical Center. Bond was set at $300,000. That’s in addition to another $300,000 for an aggravated assault that took place at ETMC Monday night, and $5,599 for alleged non-payment of child support.

Tyler Police Investigators earlier arrested Allen in connection to the two aggravated robberies. Allen was placed under arrest around 10:00 Wednesday morning at 2318 South Donnybrook, where he was living with his girlfriend. Allen had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for non-payment of child support. Investigators received information Wednesday morning that led them to the identity and location of Allen. Investigators say they’re confident that Allen is responsible for both attacks. Allen is currently in Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Police in Tyler seek a suspect after a breast augmentation operation apparently began causing serious problems. On February 19, police were contacted by family members of a victim who stated that she had a breast augmentation (by injection) procedure performed on both her breasts on February 15 in Tyler. The victim, identified as Sheena Bradford, 26, of Longview, was admitted into a hospital in Longview on February 16 for severe chest pains. Bradford’s condition is currently listed as critical.

Tyler Investigators have determined that the procedure, which they term illegal, was conducted for a fee in a back room of Queen Divas Hair Salon and Spa, located at 102 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tyler. Investigators obtained a search warrant on the business, looking for any evidence that may be related to this case, and evidence was seized by crime scene investigators. Investigators and doctors are attempting to determine what type of substance or fluid was pumped into the woman’s chest cavity. Upon further investigation, investigators are alleging that the suspect responsible for the procedure is Carmel Mitchelle Foster-Alexander, 38, of Tyler, who is the Owner of Queen Divas Hair Salon and Spa.

Investigators have obtained two arrest warrants for Foster for practicing medicine in violation of subtitle, a third degree felony; for practicing medicine without a license, breast augmentation; and causing Sheena Bradford physical harm. The second warrant was issued for a procedure that Foster had conducted on Bradford’s cousin about two weeks ago. That victim is identified as Kenya Sheppard, 27, of Gladewater. Total bond was set at $200,000. Foster has not been taken into custody at this time. Tyler Police encourage anyone who has had any medical procedure performed by Carmel Foster in the past, and wishes to file charges, to contact Detective Andy Erbaugh at 903-531-1090.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — A Tyler woman wanted concerning an unlicensed breast augmentation procedure has been arrested. The Tyler Police Department was informed Thursday by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department that authorities, acting on a tip, had taken Carmel Foster-Alexander into custody. Officials found Foster, 38, at a residence on Mitchell Road in Harrison County. Foster was taken into custody and transported to the Harrison County Jail on Tyler Police Department outstanding warrants.

Earlier, a Longview woman was hospitalized in critical condition following what authorities call a breast augmentation allegedly performed by Foster at her Tyler beauty shop, Queen Divas Hair Salon and Spa. Authorities say the woman’s family reported she received injections to her breasts the day before she was hospitalized.

Tyler police say the investigation continues into this and other possible related incidents involving Foster. Investigators are following up on four other victims who may also have had the procedure done on them by Foster. FDA Criminal Investigators have met with Tyler Police investigators and have obtained samples of the suspected liquid gel that was reportedly injected into the victims. Police say lab results will take up to a week for them to return.

TYLER — The TJC Board of Trustees Thursday approved a bond election that would expand the western edge of the main campus. The proposal calls for construction of a new $50 million nursing and health sciences building. Voters in the TJC tax district will decide on May 12 whether to pay for a $25 million bond package. The bond will be matched with $12.5 million in private donations and $12.5 million in student user fees. Students majoring in nursing and health fields began paying additional fees in the fall of 2011. This is the first TJC bond election since funds for the construction of Vaughn Library were approved in 1966.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioner, Terry Phillips, his wife and son are being sued. The lawsuit stems from a 2010 case where Lance Phillips, 28, pleaded guilty to secretly videotaping a woman renting a room inside his home. According to KETK, he was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and 5 years probation. The lawsuit, filed by the victim, said Terry and Karen Phillips, who is also the Smith County Clerk, were negligent and should have known that their son was incompetent to serve as a property manager. A hearing has been set for May 10th.

EAST TEXAS — A major power outage was reportedly caused by a one vehicle wreck Thursday morning. A car hit a utility pole at the intersection of County Road 187 and Farm Road 344 in Teaselville, causing the outages. The driver was not injured. The outages were reportedly in and around Tyler, Jacksonville and Athens. Officials said the high winds also contributed to the outages.

LONGVIEW — No one was injured in a morning fire at a Longview residence. Firefighters responded around 7:00 Thursday to a townhouse in the 1100 block of Lilac Drive. Longview Fire Marshall Johnny Zackary said an Xbox in a closet of the duplex was left on and covered with clothes when it overheated and caught fire. Damage is minimal to the outside of the building but there is extensive smoke damage inside the duplex. The family has been displaced. According to KETK, the American Red Cross is stepping in to help.

AUSTIN (AP) – A psychiatrist at a state hospital in East Texas has quit as he faced allegations of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work. The Austin American-Statesman reports Dr. Gary Paul Kula resigned Wednesday from Rusk State Hospital. Kula was notified Tuesday that disciplinary action had begun. Documents from the Department of State Health Services indicate Kula on February 14 appeared impaired and was slumped in his office chair. Co-workers witnessed the incident.

Kula has declined comment. An agency spokeswoman says officials have no reason to believe that Kula treated patients while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Records show Kula in the early 2000s was sanctioned by the Oklahoma and Texas medical boards for sexual involvement with patients. He joined Rusk State Hospital in 2005.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a wreck on Paluxy Thursday morning. According to KETK, a motorcyclist was taken to the hospital after the accident just north of Grande Blvd. Officers say Curtis Jordan was driving a motorcycle in the northbound lanes of Paluxy when a woman in a black Equinox attempted to merge from the turning lane into the northbound lanes of traffic. The woman hit Jordan, sending him into the southbound lanes. Officials said Jordan’s injuries are not life-threatening.

TATUM — Former Tatum Police Chief Ron Martin, who resigned in January amid allegations that were brought against him by a Tatum resident who said she was forced to leave her home and drive while intoxicated, was given a dishonorable discharge from the department. According to KETK, Martin was originally given a general discharge, but it was amended and changed to a dishonorable discharge this past week.

This wasn’t the first time Martin has been accused of using his position inappropriately. A lawsuit was filed against Martin and Graham Central Station in Longview with the Eastern District of Texas after a man claimed he was removed from the club against his will, and Martin used pepper spray on him, according to court records. The lawsuit, which was dismissed about a year after it was filed, said Martin assaulted Terry Wallace on July 19, 2008 at the club.

There is also an open lawsuit against Martin in Rusk County after Robert Wade Hughes said he was pistol-whipped by Martin even though he was complying with his orders.

AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today named the city of Tyler and Mayor Barbara Bass winners of a 2011 Mayors Challenge award for promoting child nutrition and making healthy food available to more Texas children through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Nutrition Programs.

“Children who eat nutritious meals often perform better academically and are healthier overall, which decreases their dependence on medical care,” Commissioner Staples said. “These Summer Nutrition Programs are intended to offer a temporary bridge toward self-sufficiency while providing short-term assurance that Texas children don’t go hungry during the summer months when schools are closed. I commend Mayor Bass and the Tyler community for accepting my Mayors Challenge and making it a priority to improve the health of Texas children.”

In recognition of Tyler’s second-place award, Mayor Bass received a check for $1,000 provided by H-E-B in support of the Mayors Challenge. Winning mayors donate the funds to a charity of their choice. Mayor Bass will donate the award money to the East Texas Food Bank. Mayor Bass credited the Tyler Parks & Recreation Department with increasing participation through its Summer Playground Program, which partners with the East Texas Food Bank to serve lunch to children and provide supervised activities.

“This year in particular, with the tough economic times, we wanted to make sure our at-risk kids had a good meal,” Mayor Bass said. “Once we committed to the Mayors Challenge, we wanted to make sure we did everything we could to be successful.”

A report by Feeding America ranked Texas as having one of the highest rates of food-insecure children in the United States. Through the Mayors Challenge, Commissioner Staples brought together Texas cities, schools, non-profit organizations and churches to work together to increase community awareness and participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs.

TEXARKANA (AP) — The French oil giant Total has agreed to pay $15 million to the U.S. government to settle federal allegations that Total underpaid royalties for natural gas taken from federal and American Indian lands. In a statement issued Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department says an assortment of Total S.A. subsidiaries and affiliates reached the settlement in a case pending in a U.S. District Court in Texarkana.

TYLER — Rain, searing heat, and drought have combined to cause pothole problems in East Texas. According to KETK, some simple tips can minimize the damage to your vehicle. First, be sure to check the air pressure in your tires; if it’s not right, the slightest change in temperature can cause a blowout. Experts also recommend an alignment inspection with each oil change, and rotating your tires regularly to slow down their wear. TxDOT’s Larry Krantz adds that his agency regularly seal-coats highways in the area to fix the potholes.

MARSHALL – A 48-year-old Gilmer man has pleaded guilty in Marshall to federal firearms violations. Eric Jason Wright pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne.

According to authorities, on Aug. 7, 2010, Wright was found to be in possession of a shotgun in Upshur County. Further investigation revealed Wright had been convicted of delivery of a controlled substance in Upshur County in 1998. As a convicted felon, Wright is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 2, 2011. Wright faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A 31-year-old Carthage woman has pleaded guilty to federal drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Wednesday. Christine Stephens Carroll pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The plea came Wednesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, on October 22, 2008, Carroll purchased cold pills containing 2.40 grams of pseudoephedrine from a Brookshire Bros. store in Carthage. Carroll also admitted to purchasing cold pills on 64 different occasions from October 22, 2008 to April 15, 2010, which amounted to approximately 137.78 grams of pseudoephedrine, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Carroll was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2011.

Carroll faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. Carroll’s co-defendants have already entered pleas. Roy Tatum pleaded guilty on September 7, 2011; Carroll’s husband, Billy Carroll, pleaded guilty on January 4, 2012. Both are awaiting sentencing.

VAN ZANDT — Responding to the increased number of citizens wanting to assist law enforcement officials and build a stronger partnership in the fight against crime, Sheriff R. P. “Pat” Burnett, Jr. announced Wednesday that Van Zandt County Citizens are being invited to become Associate Members of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. Membership invitations will go out in the mail over the next several weeks.

Associate Member funding allows the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas to provide critical training, technical resources, and legislative support on key criminal justice issues to law enforcement officers across the state. Dues will be used to support crime prevention and awareness programs, promote public safety, fight drug abuse, provide additional training for sheriffs and their deputies, and provide scholarships for children of law enforcement officers. Contributions to the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas are tax-deductible.

You can contact the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas at http://www.txsheriffs.org for more information.

EAST TEXAS — Due to a main line break on Farm Road 226 North of Farm Road 2259, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required Woden Water Supply Corporation to notify customers North of FM 2259 on FM 226 all the way to Oakridge of the need to boil their water prior to consumption until further notice.

According to KETK, to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

TYLER — A 53-year-old Emory woman pleaded guilty in a Tyler courtroom Wednesday to federal firearms violations. Margaret Lanette Gunter admitted to engaging in the business of selling firearms without a federal firearms license. According to information presented in court, on August 31, Gunter was arrested in Emory. More than one hundred weapons, as well as a large amount of ammunition, were recovered. Gunter admitted to assisting a co-defendant who was selling firearms at public markets in Quinlan and at the First Monday Trade Fair in Canton. She faces up to 5 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say a man has been taken to a Tyler hospital after his truck flipped and rolled off Highway 155 South just north of CR 2651 about 7:30 Wednesday morning. The details of the injuries are not yet known. DPS initially called for the injured man to be transported by air to the hospital but he were eventually taken by ambulance instead. According to KETK, the wreck was cleared later n the morning.

JACKSONVILLE — In the city of Jacksonville, residents will have to step outside of public buildings before lighting up, as the clean air act passed unanimously at the city council meeting Tuesday night.