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TYLER — ETMC Tyler was recognized May 5 by UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Transplant Services Center as a member of the “Leadership Circle” of top eye donor hospitals in North Texas with 20 cornea donations in 2010. Transplant Services Center, one of the nation’s longest continually accredited tissue and eye banks, provides corneas, sclera, bone grafts, heart valves, and skin to the communities served by ETMC as well as areas all over the United States. Since 2001, ETMC has provided 203 corneas for transplant. There are an estimated 43,000 cornea transplants and more than 800,000 tissue transplants annually in the United States. Tissue donation/transplant includes skin, bone, heart valves, veins and tendons. Cornea transplants can relieve patients with glared or blurred vision, painful swelling and effectively avoid corneal blindness.

TYLER — Research by a team of scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler indicates that a natural chemical produced by the body boosts the immune system and protects against lethal flu infections. Lead investigator Amir Shams, Ph.D., said the chemical enables immune system cells to signal each other, helping to regulate the system. Scientists call it GM-CSF, which stands for granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor.

According to a UTHSCT news release, if their results are confirmed in future clinical trials, research by Shams and the UTHSCT team could change the way people are protected against the flu. UTHSCT officials say rather than getting an annual flu shot, individuals might be able to use a nasal spray that boosts their lungs’ immune system, enabling them to fight off the flu.

“If we had a flu pandemic, we could use this chemical to increase the innate immunity of the population,” said Dr. Shams, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at UTHSCT. That would provide a head start in protecting people, because creating a vaccine against a new and deadly flu strain takes time, and flu viruses mutate very quickly, he said. “In addition,” he added, “the flu vaccine doesn’t work as well in older people, and it takes two weeks after you get a flu shot to build up your immunity.” Adults 65 years of age and older have an increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The research done by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team recently was published in the online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious journal published by the American Thoracic Society. UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun expressed his pride in the achievements made by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team. “Our researchers and physicians have identified a potential treatment that may save the lives of up to half a million people worldwide annually who die from the flu,” Dr. Calhoun said.

LONGVIEW — Two men are in custody after reportedly stealing a vehicle. Abel Garcia, 20, and Eric Pena, 21, both of Longview were arrested last night. Longview Police were called to the 1000 block of McCann Road around 11:55 after someone called and reported a possible car burglary. Officers found the stolen silver Cadillac with the two men inside along with some stolen property. They were both arrested for burglary of a vehicle. Pena was also charged with driving with an invalid license.

TYLER — Tyler’s observance of the National Day of Prayer kicked off Thursday with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Various prayers, musical performances, and more were offered during the Harvey Convention Center event. Mayor Barbara Bass remarked, “Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are God-given rights. They are not man-made.” She asked the hundreds in attendance to remember “all of the different ways that we need to be praying, all of the different groups we need to be recognizing.” She added, “I ask that you continue to keep prayer in your life throughout the year.” Various churches joined other agencies and community members in sponsoring and organizing the free event.

Also on the schedule: two new events sponsored by Bridlewood Church of Bullard, Lane’s Chapel United Methodist Church, and Mission Tyler. “Prayer on the Square” was held at noon in downtown Tyler. Clergy participants included Rev. David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church, Rev. John Robbins of Marvin United Methodist Church, and Bro. Lou Thomas of Lane’s Chapel United Methodist. Along with that event, organizers scheduled an Evening Community Prayer Service at Lane’s Chapel with Pastor Stephen Broden of Fair Park Bible Fellowship of Dallas as guest speaker.

Bridlewood Church pastor Dan Cummins says the noon and evening events are to become annual activities for Tyler’s National Day of Prayer. Cummins says next year’s Evening Community Prayer Service will be hosted by another church in the community.

LONGVIEW — Longview Firefighters stay busy working several structure fires. Around 7:45 Wednesday night, the fire department responded to 2308 Kim Street for a reported structure fire. On arrival fire crews found a resident just inside the front door in a wheel chair that was unable to make over the threshold. Fire crews helped him through the door way. The fire started near the outside eave traveled into the attic of the home. Portions of the home sustained smoke and water damage with a loss of approximately $15,000. The cause of the fire was faulty wiring. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded to a second fire around 2:29 Thursday morning at 812 Spring Street. The house was engulfed about 50 percent upon arrival of the first units. No one was home at the time of the fire which originated in the back bedroom area. The cause of the fire which resulted in a loss of about $50,000 is still under investigation. No injuries were reported.

NACOGDOCHES — Two men are arrested after a traffic stops turns up illegal drugs. Travis Anderson, 32, and Tevorius McGee, 30, were booked on a number of charges including possession of controlled substances and marijuana. A Nacogdoches County Constable stopped their vehicle for a seatbelt violation Saturday on Hwy 59. The constable used a drug sniffing dog after he said the two men acted strangely and he noticed the odor of marijuana.

TYLER — A Tyler teen accused of killing Todd Henry, his John Tyler High School teacher, is indicted for murder. Byron Truvia was arrested for the crime March 22nd, on his 18th birthday. The indictment was handed down on April 21. Prior to that time, Truvia had been held for psychiatric evaluation. A motion is still pending regarding his mental competency to proceed in the legal system. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Bonds now top $1 million on a man charged with capital murder in Hopkins County. Brian Allen Tucker, 43, of Mesquite was arrested in Yantis Monday night. He has reportedly confessed to the slaying of Bobby Riley, 62. He was found dead in the Mahoney Community on Friday. Investigators say he had been dead four days. An autopsy indicated he had been strangled. Tucker was arrested after pawning some items taken from Riley’s home. The items, including guns and musical instruments were found in a Texarkana pawn shop.

Tucker has been charged with capital murder, theft of property and parole violation. Also arrested in the case was Sarilu Mettlen, 40, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania. She has been charged with theft after she confessed to pawning some of the items stolen from Riley’s home. Investigators are trying to determine if she is linked to the murder.

LUFKIN – A man is being held in the Angelina County Jail after being accused of raping his teenage daughter. His bonds total $100,000. The incident is said to have happened in January, 2004. The man’s name was not released in a effort to protect the victim’s identity.

The arrest affidavit says the first week of January 2004, around 4:00am, the father went into his daughter’s room and forced her to have sex with him. A couple of hours later, he allegedly came back into her bedroom, carried her into the living room and raped her again.

LONGVIEW – We had a report earlier this week about cocaine found in the underwear of a prisoner at the Gregg County Jail. Well, it has happened again. It happened Tuesday morning when Charles Desmond King, 38, of Longview, was booked into the jail.

After being stopped for running a red light, officers discovered he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Searching his vehicle, officers found two white pills believed to be Vicodin, $700 cash and a small amount of marijuana. When King was booked into the jail officers found 12.4 grams of crack cocaine in King’s underwear. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana, possession of a dangerous drug and no drivers license.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has reappointed Kirk Aquilla Calhoun of Tyler and David Woolweaver of Harlingen to the State Health Services Council for terms to expire February 1, 2017. The council makes recommendations to the Department of State Health Services regarding the management, operation, policies and rules for public health, mental health and substance abuse.

Calhoun is president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. He is a member of the National Public Health and Hospital Institute, National Association of Public Hospitals Executive Committee, Texas Emerging Technology Advisory Committee, and American and Texas Medical associations. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Physician Executives and Smith County Medical Society, and a board member of the Tyler Economic Development Council. He is also a past board member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, East Texas Leadership Council, and Vision 2010 Task Force. Calhoun received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a medical degree from the University of Kansas.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University dedicated its Materials Joining Engineering Building Thursday morning with a spectacular shower of arcs and sparks during a special torch-cutting ceremony to honor longtime faculty member Bill Kielhorn.

Kielhorn, who has never missed a class during his 45 years of teaching at the university, was recently featured on ABCNEWS.com for teaching the final class of his career from his hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit of Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview April 28.

Materials joining engineering professor Dr. Yoni Adonyi presented a special, torch-cutting event to honor Kielhorn and to celebrate $1.15 million in renovations to the building that will take place this summer.

TYLER — As a part of National Police Week, the nation will pay tribute to peace officers from across the country who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. On Monday, May 9, at noon, the Smith County memorial service will be held on Tyler’s downtown square. Honor guards from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and Tyler Police Department will take part in the ceremony to honor area law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for 2010-2011.

In 2010 (158 officers) and to date 2011 (65 officers), 223 peace officers joined the ranks of these officers nationwide. Once again, Texas led the country with the death of 17 peace officers in 2010 and 6 officers in 2011, including Smith County Deputy Robert Britton Jr. on March 28. In 2010, the average age was 40 and average tour of duty was 11 years, 6 months. The event will include the posting of the colors, a wreath ceremony, Taps, a 21-gun salute, a riderless horse, and a fly-over by a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter. All families of fallen officers and the public are invited to attend this ceremony.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted a ceremony Wednesday at 1407 S. Lyons to unveil a marker in the Reflections Program honoring Katie A. Stewart. The dedication coincides with National Preservation Month, during which thousands of individuals across the country will be “Celebrating America’s Treasures” as part of a month-long celebration sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In accordance with the Tyler 21 North End Action Plan, in 2009 the City of Tyler launched a three-year program to promote Tyler Historic Landmarks and the installation of historic markers and plaques at North End locations important to City history, including the history of the African-American community. The Reflections Program encourages citizens or interested organizations to submit nominations for the designation in the North End as Tyler Historic Landmarks, Tyler Historic Subject Markers or Half Mile of History stones.

According to materials from the city, “Katie A. Stewart, the only child of the Reverend Dr. Albert Thomas and Garthelia Willeta Harris Stewart, learned from her parents the value of an education and the everlasting impact of one’s contribution to the community. Her life was an example of true dedication and commitment to the teaching and training of children, youth and young adults, both in the educational systems and in organized church work. All through her life she gave credit to her parents for this example. It is for this strategic modeling that Stewart Middle School in the Tyler Independent School District bears her father’s name.

“Katie A. Stewart’s education opened the doors of opportunity for her to teach and train children at T.J. Austin Elementary School and Emmett Scott High School. Her church and community affiliations also received the benefit of her gifts and talents. These include the East Texas Chapter of the Links, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Utopia Civic and Art Club, and her church home, True Vine Baptist Church.”

RUSK — The Cherokee County Grand Jury has returned a no-bill regarding allegations that County Commissioner Katherine Pinotti broke the law. That’s according to a news release from Pinotti’s attorney, Cynthia Kent. Pinotti was under investigation for authorizing repairs to Patterson Lane, formerly identified in county maps and records as County Road 3427. Pinotti says she’s grateful that the grand jury took time to consider all the evidence. She adds, “The taxpayers and residents on Patterson Lane had urged me to make needed repairs to their road which had fallen into such disrepair as to be dangerous for the families and children living in that community.”

According to prior reports, many said Patterson Lane was actually a private road, not a county road. But according to Pinotti, if the road had been labeled correctly, there wouldn’t have been a problem. Pinotti says it’s one of many Cherokee County roads improperly labeled on official county maps. At a recent meeting, commissioners pushed off a vote to make changes to the maps. One suggested seeking advice from counsel before making such a move.

CUSHING — Authorities suspect possible arson after a series of house fires in East Texas. There are reportedly similarities among three house fires within a two-mile radius in the Cushing-Looneyville area. The Nacogdoches County sheriff says everything is too closely related with the fires.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – A suspect is in custody in connection with a Hopkins County murder. Charged with capital murder is Brian Allen Tucker, 44, of Mesquite. He is accused of the Friday slaying of Bobby Riley, 62. He was found dead in the Mahoney Community. An autopsy indicated he had been strangled. Tucker was arrested in Yantis late Monday night after pawning some items taken from Riley’s home. The items, including guns and musical instruments were found in a Texarkana pawn shop.

AUSTIN (AP) — Dog owners could face life in prison if their dog kills an infant or an elderly person. If the attack results in serious injury, the possibly penalty is third degree felony. In a bill passed Tuesday, owners of a dog that kills a child under the age of 18 or an adult older than 65 can be charged with a first degree felony. The maximum sentence for a first degree felony is life in prison. The bill was authored by state Representative Chuck Hopson, a Jacksonville Republican. The House approved the bill on a 123-7 vote. Following a procedural vote, the measure will go to the Senate for consideration.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named Dr. Larry J. Frazier as its new dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1. Frazier is the current associate provost and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and a professor of religion and philosophy at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C.

“Dr. Frazier was chosen following a national search and comes heartily recommended,” said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. “He is a native of East Texas and a proven leader who brings a passion for graduating students who will integrate their Christian faith into their professional careers.”

Frazier was his class salutatorian when he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas Baptist University, double majoring in Christian Ministry and Behavioral Sciences in 1990. He earned a Master of Arts in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994 and a Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University in 2002. At Baylor, his work focused mainly on the history of Christianity and his dissertation applied a sociological methodology in examining the responses and adjustments of Baptist churches in East Texas during the oil boom of the 1930s.

“I am honored to join Dr. Lunsford, Dr. Coyle, and the rest of the LETU faculty and staff,” Frazier said. “During my brief time on campus I got a sense of the spirit and mission of this special place, and I look forward to being a part of what God has in store for the future of LETU.”

LINDALE — Lindale ISD’s E.J. Moss Intermediate School and Lindale Junior High School were recognized as Title 1 Distinguished Performance Schools on Tuesday at the Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore. District and school administrators, along with several teachers, were presented a certificate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) during a special ceremony. The distinction is awarded through the No Child Left Behind Program of the TEA. This is the second consecutive year E.J. Moss has received the honor and the first time for Lindale Junior High School.

Title 1 schools receive federal funding to meet the needs of at-risk and low income students. To be named a Distinguished Performance School, both campuses achieved a rating of Exemplary from the TEA during the spring of 2010 and a rating of either Exemplary or Recognized during spring 2009 and spring 2008. E.J. Moss was rated Recognized in 2008 and Exemplary in 2009 and 2010. Lindale Junior High School was Recognized in 2008 and 2009, and Exemplary in 2010.

A Distinguished Performance School must also serve a student population of 40% or more low-income students during the 2010-2011 school year. The campuses also met the criteria for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009 and 2010.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his third DWI conviction. State District Judge David Brabham sentenced Lonia Halton of Longview to 30 years in prison.

In April of last year Halton was involved in a three vehicle accident on South Highway 149. The Department of Public Safety said Halton had failed to control his speed and rear-ended the vehicle in front of him and that vehicle consequently rear-ended another vehicle. It was determined that Halton was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

LONGVIEW – A man stopped on a traffic violation now faces drug charges in Gregg County. Quintus Dewayne Shaw, 24, was stopped for having a headlight out. It was then that officers learned that Shaw had outstanding warrant from Harrison County for possession of a controlled substance. To make matters worse, when he was booked into the Gregg County Jail, officers found a small plastic bag of cocaine in his underwear.

EAST TEXAS — The Henderson man arrested a year ago for putting explosives in mailboxes has his final court appearance next month. Police say Larry Gene North terrorized parts of East Texas by placing more than 30 pipe bombs in various mailboxes. He’s been in the hospital most of the time since his arrest in April of 2010. But on a single day in June, North will have a competency and a change of plea hearing; then he’ll be sentenced. He’s facing a number of criminal charges and could get life in prison.

TYLER — Family and friends gathered in Tyler Monday to mourn the death of 79-year-old pastor and writer David Wilkerson. During his life, Wilkerson ministered to young drug addicts and gang members in New York City and started Times Square Church there. Many know him by his best-selling book “The Cross and the Switchblade,” which was made into a movie. Last week, he was killed in a car crash off Highway 175 near the Anderson County line, and now many East Texans say they will miss his heart of gold. Pastor Wilkerson is survived by his wife and four children.

TYLER (AP) – A third East Texas gang member has been sentenced to prison for raping a 12-year-old girl after a September high school football game. A judge in Tyler on Monday sentenced 19-year-old Glenn Authar Williams to 40 years in prison. Williams in April was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Prosecutor Guy Conine says the victim attended a football game in Tyler and then went with three girls she knew to the home of one of the men. Conine on Tuesday told The Associated Press that the victim did not know the men. Brandon High, who’s 20, and 19-year-old Josh Baker in March pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Each was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

HENDERSON — One man has been arrested in connection with a Henderson convenience store robbery where a clerk was held at gun point early Saturday morning. According to Lt. Craig Sweeney, Henderson police officers were dispatched to Fast Stop North in the 100 block of Kilgore Drive at about 3:15 a.m. in connection with a robbery.

The clerk told officers one man pointed a weapon at her while another person removed a “small amount of cash” from the register, then fled the scene, Sweeney said. Kuenten Scott, 18, of Winona was arrested a short time later after a traffic stop on North Mill Street. Sweeney said Rusk County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle near the convenience store a few minutes after the robbery. Investigators say they do not believe the driver of the vehicle was involved in the robbery and he was not scene on any of the surveillance footage. Scott was released from Rusk County Jail Monday afternoon on $60,000 bond, charged with aggravated robbery. Officials said they expect more arrests in the future.

GALVESTON (AP) — Officials say they believe the body of a man found washed onto a Galveston beach is that of a missing teenage swimmer. Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis says a beach maintenance crew found the body on East Beach about noon Monday. He tells the Galveston County Daily News that it’s believed to be that of John Hight, 18, of the East Texas community of DeBerry. Hight went missing as he and nine friends were swimming in rough surf Saturday. The body was taken to the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office.

MARSHALL — Three men have been arrested for racing lawnmowers in a muddy section of a Marshall park. The men were arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with criminal mischief between $1,500 and $20,000. They were said to have torn up several section of grass in the park on East Rusk Street. Arrested were James Edward Brown, 42, Christopher Scott Call, 18, and Scott Desalvo, 19, all from Marshall.

LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District will host a second community and parent informational meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the E.J. Moss Intermediate School auditorium. The focus of the meeting will be changes for the 2011-2012 school year in first through sixth grades. Parents or guardians of LISD students currently in kindergarten through fifth grades are encouraged to attend. District officials will be available to answer any questions regarding the transition and address concerns.

Lindale ISD will undergo campus realignments due to the passage of the 2009 bond election. The bond included the addition of a new junior high school campus. With the addition of the new campus, the district will make changes at other LISD campuses to handle the district’s continuing growth in student population.

Lindale Primary School will serve first through third grades beginning next school year. The current primary school will be known as College Street Elementary School beginning with the 2011-2012 school year as well. The LISD school board approved the name change in February. Velma Penny Elementary School will also serve grades 1-3 beginning next school year. The school currently serves students in third and fourth grades.

E.J. Moss Intermediate School 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. 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.

CANTON — Officials say the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office conducted and completed a sex offender roundup Saturday in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The roundup kicked off at about 9:30 a.m. with the last team of two finishing at 4:45pm. The Canton Police Department, the constable of Precinct #3, and the deputy constable of Precinct #1 assisted sheriff’s deputies and reserve deputies in the effort.

Van Zandt County has 130 registered sex offenders. Authorities say four are currently in jail, one has absconded, and three are working out of state but are in compliance. 122 convicted offenders were physically checked. Authorities name the absconded offender as Ronald House, 41, a white male, of 254 PR 7502, Wills Point. Officials say anyone with questions about registered sex offenders should feel free to call Deputy Goddard at 903-567-4133, extension 478. You can also go to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office website at http://www.vzsheriff.com and click on sex offenders, which will take you to the DPS website. You may also call Crime Stoppers at 903-567-7867 (STOP) if you wish to remain anonymous.