KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A Tyler discount clothing store is broken into, resulting in nearly $6,000 in stolen merchandise. According to KETK, officers say the commercial burglary was reported Sunday at Amuri’s Apparel in the 1800 block of South Vine. According to police reports, someone broke into the back window of the business, causing several hundred dollars in damage to the building. Among other things, the thief took off with clothing, watches and electronics. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Charles McLean, age 60, was arrested Monday on a class A misdemeanor charge of making a firearm accessible to a child. His grandson, Jaden McLean, 2, was at the Smith County bar the family owns when he found a loaded 9 mm gun and accidentally shot himself in the head. According to KETK, the incident happened September 15. Sheriff J.B. Smith says the gun was normally kept in a safe, but the grandfather had left it on an office desk following a recent disturbance — and that’s where the little boy found it. Smith says Charles McLean could get a year in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. He’s currently free on $10,000 bond.

Jaden survived the incident after being hospitalized in Dallas; he is now home and said to be doing well. Smith adds that the McLean family has been cooperative throughout the investigation. The sheriff earlier told KTBB that Charles McLean’s son was murdered a couple of years ago in a still-unsolved case.

TYLER — Discovery Science Place, a hands-on family science museum located in downtown, Tyler has been making significant changes in its exhibits and activities over the past 18 months. Now, thanks to a generous donation from the Horace C. Cabe Foundation, the museum’s entry courtyard will be undergoing a remodel beginning in October that will last through early November. At the same time, the lobby and Explore Store will acquire a new look thanks to the generous donation from the Watson W. Wise Foundation.

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve added over 10 new exhibits and exhibit upgrades,” explained Michael Shanklin, executive director of the family science museum. “In addition to the new exhibits, guests can experience scheduled walks with ‘Kiwi’ the iguana, the mascot of the museum. And with the lobby and courtyard remodel, our guests will see that Discovery Science Place is committed to providing the families, schools and other educational associations with the very best guest and educational experience in east Texas!”

During the remodel, which is scheduled to begin later this week, the temporary entrance to the museum will be located at the far east entrance near Broadway and will be clearly marked. The museum will remain open throughout the renovation process, and guests are encouraged to visit and see the changes being made. For information about the museum, visit the website at http://www.discoveryscienceplace.org or call (903) 533-8011.

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, the public bus transportation system, is seeking feedback from residents regarding the quality and availability of bus service. Throughout the month of October, Longview Transit will distribute voluntary surveys to bus passengers. You can also go to http://www.LongviewTransit.com to view the survey online.

According to Longview Transit General Manager Rob Stephens, “We are conducting this survey because we want to hear from the community as a whole, not just from current bus passengers. We want residents to share their perspective on the quality of transit services currently offered, and we want to know what other transit services they think would be helpful.”

The survey is open to anyone who resides or commutes within the Longview area. A free daily pass will be given to anyone completing the survey. The survey may only be completed one time per person. Two forms of the survey are available: an individual form to be completed by residents; and an agency form to be completed by local organizations that utilize the bus service. For more information, you can go to the Longview Transit website or call 903-753-2287.

HENDERSON — A man has been charged with a weekend sexual assault in Rusk County. According to KETK, on Saturday just before 2:15am, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the western part of the county after a 911 call in reference to a sexual assault. An investigation led to an arrest warrant for the suspect, Gary Lynn Jones, 42, of Henderson. He was arrested around 5:30 Saturday morning and jailed on a charge of aggravated sexual assault. He remains in the Rusk County Jail in lieu of a $35,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES — Jury selection is set to begin today for Steven Gerard Sledge, 43, of Nacogdoches, who is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault against a female Steven F. Austin State University student last December. According to KETK, Sledge has been in the Nacogdoches County Jail since the date of his arrest on Dec. 13. At about 5:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 2009, Sledge is accused of approaching an SFA student who was outside her dormitory, forcing her into his vehicle with a knife, according to a Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office report.

BIG SANDY — A weekend accident in Upshur County has killed one person and injured two. The accident occurred around 4:00 Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 80, just east of Big Sandy. Dead at the scene was Justin Frick of Longview. In stable condition at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital is Jerry Dyeer of Gladewater. He was a passenger in a pickup driven by David Shearer, 42, of Gladewater. Shearer was treated and released at Mother Francis Hospital.

The Department of Public Safety report says Frick was west bound on Highway 80 and Shearer was east bound. The driver of a car in front of Frick says, for some reason, the Longview man turned off the headlights to his car. The car then drifted into the east bound lane of traffic where it collided head on with Shearer’s pickup.

WILLS POINT — Wills Point authorities are looking for a man who severely beat a World War II veteran. It began Friday night when C.D. Whittington answered a knock at the door. He asked if there was a lady there and when Whittington said no, the man started beating him. KETK-TV reports the suspect then asked for money. When Whittington said he had no money, the beating continued.

After putting on rubber gloves and putting a knife to the victim’s head, the suspect started tearing up the house looking for money. The suspect eventually broke into Whittington’s file cabinet with a wallet inside. He wasn’t happy that there was only $105 in the wallet. After the man left, Whittington called authorities. The suspect was described as a black male between 18 to 30 years of age. He was wearing a blue and white striped shirt.

TYLER — The second portion of Tyler Bulky Item Collections for the city’s Fall Cleanup week starts on Monday. If your home’s garbage is collected on Tuesday and Friday, then your bulky item collection week starts on Monday, September 27th. Place your bulky items on the curb on Monday and leave them there until they are collected. The items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection. It may take the crews until the following Saturday to pick up all the bulky items.

Bulky items that will be picked up for free include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. Paint will also be picked up but be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. This week, however, all of these items will be picked up free of charge. Brush, limbs and liquid waste are not included.

Also bulky items will be accepted from 7:00am until noon on Saturday, October 2nd, in the City of Tyler employee parking lot in the 300 block of North Bois D’Arc in downtown Tyler.

TYLER — At Tyler’s second annual Book Fest, 56 authors plied their wares, and 14 award-winning speakers shared their wisdom. The Book Fest was put on Saturday by SALT, an area library coalition, and UT Tyler. County Judge, honorary event chair, and self-professed book lover Joel Baker said the Book Fest was a rare opportunity for people who like to read, and may want to become authors themselves. Said Baker, “It’s just outstanding to have a great collection of authors, and the organizers have done a wonderful job of bringing this together.” The Book Fest, at UT Tyler’s Ornelas Center, allowed attendees to meet and chat with the authors, check out their books, and ask questions. Baker added, “It’s interesting to hear how those books were put together and the history, the stories behind the books.” The event also offered tips and guidance for aspiring writers.

LONGVIEW — Big crowds turn out for Longview’s 4th annual Multicultural Festival Saturday. Branden Johnson is with the Longview Race Relations Committee, one of the organizing agencies. He says it’s not every day that you see “cultures from the Celtic Heritage Society to the African Heritage Society, all under one roof.” Just a sampling of the other offerings: pipes and drums, praise and worship, Mexican music, cloggers, martial arts, African drumming, blues, belly dancing, a smorgasbord of booths, and some eye-catching cars.

Johnson says the festival’s an effort to bring the community together, fight racism, and have some fun doing it. He adds that he’s happy with the increased support. According to Johnson, additional funding “just really, really expanded the effort to get out to the community and let them know that, hey, we’re here to help you come together.” The
City of Longview and the local Partners in Prevention agency also helped organize the festival.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Contract construction crews this week are scheduled to begin work to add 3-foot shoulders to Farm Road 59 between South Loop 7 in Athens and Farm Road 753, and on FM 753 between State Highway 31 and Farm Road 59. The $5.2 million project let to contract in July and is scheduled be completed in the summer of 2011. Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, Texas, is the contractor. Some daytime lane closures will be associated with the work, and motorists are encouraged to use caution in and around the work zone.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Ranch Road 2588 south of LaRue, and to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 315 between State Highway 31 in Chandler and Farm Road 317. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations along State Highway 43 between Henderson and Tatum before moving to U.S. Highway 84 later in the week. A second crew is scheduled to perform shoulder repair work on U.S. Highway 259 south of Kilgore. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 287 between Cayuga and the Freestone County Line. daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and Farm Road 47 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Hawkins. Crews are also scheduled to perform edge repairs on State Highway 154 and Farm Road 778 east of Quitman 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.

TYLER – Today marks another big day at the 75th East Texas State Fair. Her are some of the activities:
8:00 a.m. Junior Lamb Show
10:00 a.m. Gates Open
Creative Arts Show (Bldg A)
AgriWorld Exhibit (Bldg E)
Fruit & Vegetable Show (Bldg E)
Eudora Farms Petting Zoo-open all day
Sea Lion SPLASH-multiple shows daily
Swifty Swine Pig Races-multiple shows daily
Tubs Fritter-performs all day
Samsung Sand Sculpture (The Marketplace- Harvey Convention Center)
NASA exhibit (The Marketplace)
The Photography Show (The Marketplace)
12:00 p.m. Carnival and Midway Rides Open
Junior Steer Show
Junior Meat Goat Show
2:00 p.m. East Texas Christian Jazz Band on the Samsung Stage

TYLER — It was not your typical Saturday night dance. Over 200 persons spent Saturday night at Pounds Field Airport at a “1940’s Hangar Dance.” It was sponsored by the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. The backdrop to the event were cars from the 40s and World War II air craft. Music from the 40’s was provided by the Tyler Big Band.

Interim director of the Aviation Museum, Danny Sessums, says the role-playing dance is a great learning tool. “You identify yourself through somebody else’s eyes, looking at their time through that perspective. Then you communicate that to the public and that is the best form of learning and education that there is.” The museum hopes this becomes an annual event.

The Robert E. Lee Red Raiders scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, but the late rally fell short on Saturday night in Beaumont as Lee fell to the Beaumont Westbrook Bruins 25-20. The Red Raiders scored in the first quarter on Preston Conder’s three yard touchdown run. Mistakes hurt Lee in the second quarter as Westbrook took the lead with a pair of touchdowns including Nick Bryant’s interception return of a Joseph Seeber pass and the Bruins led 13-7 at the half.

A lightning delay of over two hours pushed back the start of the third quarter until approximately 9:40pm. Westbrook took a commanding 25-7 lead on an 8 yard run by Dylan Harvey and and a 16 yard run by quarterback Joshua Stump. They failed twice on two point conversions and appeared to have the game clinched. Lee rallied when Chad Reese returned a Percy Johnson fumble for a touchdown with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter. The Red Raider defense stopped Westbrook and Conder threw a 7 yard scoring pass to Marquis Mosley with 2:23 left to play. Lee’s two point conversion failed.

The Red Raiders got the ball back two more times, but couldn’t produce the needed touchdown. Lee falls to 0-5 in non district play. They open district action on October 8th at Mesquite Horn.

TYLER — Two persons have been injured in a fight at a Tyler apartment. It was reported to police just before 4:15 Saturday morning. It was reported as a fight in progress at the River Oaks Apartments, 4400 Troup Highway. The two persons injured, a 28 year old male and a 19 year old male, were located at Wal-Mart, 5050 Troup Highway. The 28 year old had stab wounds to his back and the 19 year old had a head injury. Both were transported to East Texas Medical Center for treatment. The case is under investigation by Tyler Police detectives.

LONGVIEW — Citations are issued during an alcohol sting in Longview. On September 22, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Longview Partners in Prevention, conducted off-premise and on-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.

The undercover team checked 43 different retailers.. Of those, ten of them sold alcohol to the undercover minors. The locations that sold to minors were:

1. 522 W. Marshall Avenue – Don’s
2. 1929 Hwy 80 East – Tiger Mart of Longview
3. 518 Loop 281 East – Wing Stop
4. 2002 Judson Road – GZ Social Club
5. 701 S. Eastman Road – Kwick Food Mart
6. 101 Loop 281 West – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
7. 301 Loop 281 West – Dudley’s Cajun Café
8. 514 S. Eastman Road – Easy Access
9. 1001 Young Street – Cowboy’s # 13
10. 1442 McCann Road – El Sombrero

At these locations the individuals that sold alcohol to the undercover minor were listed in offense reports for “making alcohol available to a minor”. This offense is a class A misdemeanor and the reports will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued administrative citations to each business.

TYLER — Today marks day 3 of the East Texas State Fair. Here’s a run down of today’s activities:
9:00 a.m. Junior Beef Heifer Show (2009 Show breeds*)
Ring A – Exotic Breeds – AOB*, Charolais*, Chianina, Limousin*, Maine-Anjou*, Simmental*
Ring B – Beefmaster* and Brangus*

10:00 a.m. Gates Open
Carnival and Midway Rides Open
Creative Arts Show (Bldg A)
AgriWorld Exhibit (Bldg E)
Fruit & Vegetable Show (Bldg E)
Eudora Farms Petting Zoo-open all day
Sea Lion SPLASH-multiple shows daily
Swifty Swine Pig Races-multiple shows daily
Tubs Fritter-performs all day
Samsung Sand Sculpture (The Marketplace- Harvey Convention Center) NASA exhibit (The Marketplace)
The Photography Show (The Marketplace)

12:00 p.m. Lookin’ Back Texas on the Samsung Stage
4:00 p.m. JBBA Fall Classic Show
6:00 p.m. Jesse and Noah on the Samsung Stage, presented by Bud Light
8:00 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers on the Samsung Stage, presented by Bud Light
10:00 p.m. All Exhibit Buildings Close

Gate Admission Begins at 10:00am:
Adults: $8
Children (6-12): $5
Kids 5 & Under: Free

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that it completed six projects in September and planned to break ground on another three in October, bringing the total number of projects under construction to 26 across the Tyler District.

Topping the list of upcoming projects is a $1.3 million project to repair and resurface westbound Interstate Highway 20 between State Highway 110 and the Van Zandt County line. The project let to contract in August and is scheduled to begin mid-month. APAC-Texas, Inc., of Dallas, is the contractor. “We’ve made some huge improvements in our pavement on the Interstate in the past few years,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “This is one of the areas that we’ve had
on hold while we’ve gotten the other projects done.”

Also in October, TxDOT contractors are scheduled to begin a Green Ribbon beautification project at the Henderson Star, and an inter-agency agreement with Texas Parks and Wildlife to repair and resurface campsites in Tyler State Park. Green Ribbon projects are landscaping projects that target counties either in or close to non-attainment of air-quality standards.

Among the projects completed or scheduled for completion by the end of September are two major projects on U.S. Highway 69, including a $43 million project expanding the highway to four lanes between Lindale and Mineola which began in 2006, and the $11.4 million US 69/FM 344 overpass project in Bullard. Both projects are scheduled for completion by the end of next week, which means normal speed limits will return to effect once the work zones have been removed.

TxDOT also announced the completion of projects to repair and resurface U.S. Highway 79 in
Palestine and U.S. Highway 287 south of Palestine, State Highway 31 or Front Street in Tyler between Broadway and East Loop 323, and on Farm Road 1798 in Rusk County between U.S. Highway 259 and Farm Road 840.

Also in October, TxDOT plans to let a series of small projects rolled into one larger one on State Highway 149 south of Longview. The work includes adding street lights and widening SH 149 to accommodate continuous left-turn lane through the Whiskey Bend area, repairing and resurfacing SH 149 between the SH 149/SH 322 split and 2 miles south of Farm Road 2906, and adding centerline rumble strips on SH 149 between Sabine River Bridge and Rusk County Line.
Work on the approximate combined $2.9 million project is scheduled to begin in January.

Projects marked for completion in September
● US 69 – Adding two lanes and depressed grass median to US 69 between Lindale and Mineola. The $43 million project broke ground in April 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2010. Longview Bridge and Road of Longview, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: n/a
● US 69 – Building overpass at US 69 and FM 344 in Bullard. The $11.4 million project broke ground in January 2008 and is scheduled to be completed this fall. Work zone speed limit is 45 mph. Knife River Corporation, South, of Waco, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: n/a
● US 79 – Repair and resurface US 79 inside Loop 256 in Palestine. The $1.6 million project started in June is scheduled to take approximately three months to complete. R.K. Hall Construction of Paris, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: http://bit.ly/11-09-BUS79a
● US 287 – Repair and resurface US 287 between FM 2419 south of Palestine and SH 294 in Elkhart. The approximate $1.8 million project started in June is scheduled to be completed by the end of September. Big Creek Constriction, Ltd. of Waco, Texas is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: http://bit.ly/03-10-US287
● SH 31 – Repair and resurface SH 31 (Front Street) in Tyler between Broadway and East Loop 323. The $996,000 project let to contract in April and began June 30. Knife River Corporation, South, of Waco, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: http://bit.ly/04-10-SH31a
● FM 1798 – Repair and resurface, and add shoulders on FM 1798 between US 259 and FM 840 in southeastern Rusk County. The $2.3 million project is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2010. A.K. Gillis & Sons of Sulphur Springs, Texas is the contractor. TxDOT project tracker: http://bit.ly/03-09-FM1798b

Projects set to begin in October
● Interstate 20 – Repairing and resurfacing Westbound Interstate 20 between SH 110 and the Van Zandt County Line. The $1.3 million project let to contract in August and is scheduled to begin this fall. APAC-Texas, Inc., of Dallas, is the contractor. TxDOT Project Tracker: N/A
● Tyler State Park – Repair and resurface Cedar Camp Loop Road and campsite pads in
Tyler State Park. The $165,000 project let to contract in July and is scheduled to begin in mid-October. Simon Traylor & Sons of Jacksonville, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT Project Tracker: http://bit.ly/07-10-TSP
● US 79 – Green Ribbon landscaping project adding shrubbery to traffic islands around the Henderson Star. The $75,000 project let to contract in August and is scheduled to begin in mid-October. Encino Landscape, Inc., of Cleveland, Texas, is the contractor. TxDOT Project Tracker: http://bit.ly/08-10-US79

Projects scheduled to let to contract in October (with projected start date)
● SH 149, January 2011 – Adding street lights and widening to accommodate continuous left-turn lane through Whiskey Bend area; repair and resurface between SH 149/SH 322 split and 2 miles south of FM 2906; and adding centerline rumble strips between the Sabine River Bridge and Rusk County Line. The approximate $2.9 million project is scheduled to let in October and begin in January 2011. TxDOT Project Tracker: N/A

WHITEHOUSE — A section of the City of Whitehouse could soon merge with the City of Tyler. Whitehouse city officials approached Tyler officials Wednesday about the idea of Tyler annexing a of the city. According to KETK, a handful of Whitehouse residents don’t want to be annexed but their taxes will go down if they are. According to the Texas Municipal League, Whitehouse property taxes are almost three times that of Tyler’s.

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators have determined that the hotel clerk from Quality Inn that reported the Armed Robbery on August 29 fabricated the incident. The clerk identified as Joshanette Monttia Lee, 25, was charged with False Report to a Police Officer and Theft.

Tyler Police received a call of an armed robbery August 29 at the Quality Inn, located at 2843 West Northwest Loop 323. Lee was the desk clerk that night and said a male had robbed the business using a handgun. She told officers the suspect had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. And undisclosed amount of money was reportedly stolen.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police arrest a 21-year-old suspect after a home invasion. It happened Thursday morning around11:00 in the 100 block of East Melton Street. The caller, aware of recent burglaries in the area, knew the two men he had seen at the back of a residence at 139 East Melton did not live there and the caller was also able to describe an orange truck parked at the location. Officers arrived and located Lamarcus Pearson inside the residence. Pearson, attempted to escape but was captured by an officer on the other side of the house. Officers located a broken window at the rear of the house with a ladder leaned up against it. Pearson was booked into the Gregg County Jail for criminal trespass and evading arrest.

LONGVIEW — Citations are issued during an alcohol sting in Longview. On September 22, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Longview Partners in Prevention, conducted off-premise and on-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.

43 different alcohol retailers were checked by the undercover team. Of those 43 retailers, ten of them sold alcohol to the undercover minors. The locations that sold to minors were:

1. 522 W. Marshall Avenue – Don’s
2. 1929 Hwy 80 East – Tiger Mart of Longview
3. 518 Loop 281 East – Wing Stop
4. 2002 Judson Road – GZ Social Club
5. 701 S. Eastman Road – Kwick Food Mart
6. 101 Loop 281 West – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
7. 301 Loop 281 West – Dudley’s Cajun Café
8. 514 S. Eastman Road – Easy Access
9. 1001 Young Street – Cowboy’s # 13
10. 1442 McCann Road – El Sombrero

At these locations the individuals that sold alcohol to the undercover minor were listed in offense reports for “making alcohol available to a minor”. This offense is a class A misdemeanor and the reports will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued administrative citations to each business.

TYLER — Two Longview residents are sentenced in Tyler Federal Court to prison for drug violations. Jeremy Alan Furlong, 27, pleaded guilty on April 1 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 104 months in federal prison and was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of two firearms and a money judgment in the amount of $20,000. Sheri Ann Young, 51, pleaded guilty on April 7 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison and was also ordered to submit to the forfeiture of a money judgment in the amount of $3,500.

According to information presented in court, on June 30, 2009, Furlong was discovered to be in possession of methamphetamine and related distribution supplies at a Longview motel and on Aug. 11, 2009, Young was found to be in possession of about 23.5 grams of methamphetamine which she intended to distribute to others. A federal grand jury
returned an indictment on Nov. 4, 2009, charging Furlong and Young with federal drug trafficking violations.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for two men who beat and robbed a woman walking to her south Tyler apartment. It happened last night at the Bullard Crossing Apartment Complex, 5105 Old Bullard Road. The 22 year old woman told officers she was attacked from behind by two men. She was hit in the mouth and thrown to the ground. She was then hit in her side as one of the suspects grabbed her wallet. The two men then fled the area on foot. According to Sgt. Robert Phillips, the suspects are believed to be black males, one described as 6’5”, stocky build and the other 5’10” medium build. The victim said both suspects were wearing some type of cover over their faces as well as gloves. The woman was transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS for treatment of what appeared to be minor injuries.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities are trying to learn why a man was lying on railroad tracks. He was killed earlier this week by a Union Pacific freight train. He is identified as Justin Kaleb Alexander, 27, of DeBerry. The accident happened early Tuesday morning in eastern Harrison County on the northern end of Pumpkin Center Road. Authorities say the victim’s motorcycle was found nearby.

The train was west bound when the crew noticed something on the tracks. When they realized it was a person on the tracks they blew the air horn and started the emergency breaking system, but there was not enough distance to stop the train before hitting the man. He was lying between the tracks with his arms crossed and his feet pointed toward the train.

TYLER — A motorcyclist appears to have been critically injured in a two vehicle accident in Tyler. He is identified as Christopher Ray Benkowski, 27, of Tyler. It happened Wednesday night at New Copeland Road and Barbara Street. Investigators say an SUV had pulled away from a stop sign on Barbara and was hit by the motorcycle. Benkowski was transported to East Texas Medical Center Hospital by ambulance. Police say his injuries appear to be life-threatening. The driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital via private vehicle.

Prior to the accident a patrol officer saw the motorcycle run a stop sign at Amherst and Donnybrook. When the officer tried to stop the motorcycle it fled north on New Copeland Road. The officer did not pursue the motorcycle. A short time later the accident occurred

TYLER — The Tyler Municipal Court has announced that it will extend the deadline for the Second Chance Program to Oct. 15 due to the program’s success in assisting citizens who have been unable to pay past due court fines because of economic conditions. The program which was launched in August was scheduled to end on September 9. During this time, 583 people took advantage of this program and paid their fines, clearing 1140 warrants.

“Some people went ahead and took care of the whole warrant amount instead of opting for the payment plan,” commented Court Administrator Cam McCabe. “Consequently, even more warrants were cleared than we expected. We had predicted that about 200 to 250 people would pay their fines and take care of their warrants during this time period. The reality is that more than twice the warrants were cleared than we anticipated.”

The Second Chance Program enables persons who have had warrants issued for non-payment of fines to reestablish a payment plan and bring their accounts current. “We have seen an increase in the number of people who have warrants issued for their arrest due to the economy,” said McCabe. “This program provides a second chance for violators to become current and take care of their fines.”

A $300 down payment is required to reestablish the payment plan. Warrants will be removed once the $300 is received and a payment plan is signed. To take advantage of this Second Chance Program, defendants must visit the cashier’s window at the Municipal Court to make the down payment and sign the payment agreement no later than the October 15 deadline.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District is awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.

The District received this award for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The comprehensive annual financial report is judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Biology has received a $75,000 Endangered Species Section 6 Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Dr. Neil Ford, professor of biology; Dr. Lance Williams, associate professor of biology; and Marsha Williams, research associate; will study threatened and endangered mussels and fish of four Northeast Texas rivers.

The group will use global satellite information to determine landscape features of Cypress Creek and the Sulphur, Sabine and Neches Rivers to predict where rare mussels and fish should occur. They will then conduct surveys in those sites to determine which habitat features are best at predicting where threatened species occur. Such information will improve the ability of natural resource managers to find and protect rare species of mussels and fish and their habitats.

“These four rivers differ in large scale factors that impact fish and mussels such as channelization, impoundments, sedimentation and pollution,” said Ford, principal investigator of the two-year project. “Comparing the occurrence of threatened fish and mussels in each river helps to determine which specific factors impact the habitats that are important to fish and mussels.”

Section 6 grants are funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for states to gain information about their endangered species.