NEWS

TYLER -- There is a report that a bomb, or bombs, has been found at the United States Post Office East Texas Processing Facility in Owentown. According to KETK-TV, A call made to the plant last night brought a no comment and all press inquiries are being referred to the plant manager Mitchell Cade on Wednesday. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is referring all calls to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms.

MINEOLA (AP/Staff) -- More details on 45-year-old Charles Parmer, the Wood County man charged with attempted capital murder in the shooting of a state trooper at the suspect's rural home. According to KETK, Parmer was wanted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a January incident in which he allegedly threatened his common-law wife with a hatchet. The woman says Parmer is mentally ill and has a meth problem. His rap sheet includes numerous assault charges and running from police.

The DPS identifies the wounded officer as Trooper Larry Vaughn of Quitman. Trooper Silvia Jennings in Tyler says Vaughn was wounded while backing up Wood County sheriff's deputies serving an aggravated assault warrant at a house on Farm Road 1801, about 5 miles east of Mineola. Jennings says a gunshot fired through a window hit Vaughn in the face before a man inside surrendered. Vaughn is in critical but stable condition at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler and is expected to recover. Parmer is in Wood County Jail without bond, charged with the previous aggravated assault count along with attempted capital murder.

LONGVIEW -- The Longview elementary student, who faces robbery charges after bringing a BB gun to school February 26th, is released from the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. According to KETK, the student was released over the weekend to his mother after allegedly threatening and demanding money from another student. No word if the student will return to school or what punishment he faces from the school district.

TYLER -- Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples Tuesday announced the Texas Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback through a series of public listening sessions regarding the agency’s food and nutrition programs. The sessions include one in Tyler. The programs include the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Commodity Programs. A listening session will be held March 11 at 10 a.m. at the West Erwin Church of Christ Family Life Center.

In late 2008, Texas consolidated the administration of the federal nutrition programs under one state agency (TDA). Officials say the purpose was to provide stakeholders – taxpayers, program participants and program contractors – more program consistency and confidence. The listening session is one of many planned across the state to provide stakeholders the opportunity to make comments, provide suggestions or address concerns about these programs.

“With Texas ranking as one of our nation’s leaders in food insecurity among children and families, we need to ensure each of these programs is working efficiently, serving the needs of families, and that we are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Commissioner Staples said. “While solving our state’s hunger problem also requires promotion of job training and skills development which leads to self-sufficiency, these food programs help provide a temporary solution for families without basic resources, and we want to make certain they do so effectively.”

In addition to playing a critical role in addressing hunger, says Staples, TDA’s food and nutrition programs also are designed to help combat obesity. He says that's a problem that costs Texas businesses billions each year in the form of lower productivity, absenteeism and increased health care costs. In response, Staples launched “Texans Bring It!” The initiative is built around the question, “What do you bring?” to encourage young Texans to bring something healthy into their lives, such as education, exercise, more fruits and vegetables, and overall healthier eating habits. According to Staples, the campaign was inspired by his 3E’s of Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right – designed to help youth stay healthy and curb Texas’ growing obesity problem.

Each listening session will be moderated and recorded. In an effort to manage time, TDA is pre-registering those who wish to speak at the sessions. Speakers are asked to also provide written comments. To pre-register, or for more information about the sessions, call (877) TEX-MEAL.

TYLER -- Tyler Firefighters respond to a 2-alarm apartment fire at 601 N. Bois D Arc Monday night around 8:45. Authorities say the fire was contained to a single room. with smoke and water damage to additional areas. Investigators say the cause of the fire was an overloaded extension cord. The tenant apparently had too many appliances plugged into a series of two very light weight extension cords that were only designed to operate a table lamp or similar electrical load. No injuries were reported.

TYLER -- The Tyler Police Department will be out in force during a period many take as Spring Break, looking for intoxicated drivers and underage drinking and driving. Beginning this Friday and continuing through March 20, officers will be participating in a state-wide Impaired Driving Mobilization effort to crack down on violators. This effort allows the department to put extra personnel on the streets to enforce DWI laws.

The police department reminds the public that any person under 21 years of age is not allowed to have any detectable amount of alcohol in his or her system when behind the wheel. TxDOT reports that 11% of all intoxicated drivers are under the age of 21. Police say this program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. Police urge everyone who is considering drinking to have a designated driver or to hire a cab to get home safely. Simply put: "Please don't drink and drive!"

TYLER -- The Tyler Police Department is adding a couple of new ways to follow its activities. The department is launching a new information service called Nixle designed to deliver important information to the general public using the latest technology. Information will be disseminated as an ALERT, ADVISORY, COMMUNITY or TRAFFIC entry. Examples you would receive are: Major Traffic Accidents blocking the roadway, Traffic Lights Out, Roads Closures, Critical Missing Persons, Weather Related Warnings, Utility interruptions and any other Major Police Related Events.

Police say this service, created by Nixle, LLC, delivers trustworthy and important public safety notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone from the Tyler Police Department. According to authorities, Nixle is simple, trusted and available at no cost. To sign up go to http://www.nixle.com and enter your information. To follow the Tyler PD on Nixle, enter: Tyler, TX Police Department. You may also follow the police department on Twitter. Just enter: TylerPolice.

TYLER -- The Texas Public Purchasing Association announced this week that Smith County has been chosen to host the 2011 TxPPA state convention, which could bring 300 or more Purchasing Directors from across the state into the County. “Being picked to host a state conference shows good leadership on behalf of Smith County. I am proud of our purchasing department,” County Judge Joel Baker said. “Bringing a convention of this size to the County is good for the local economy and I am glad to be part of that.”

TxPPA chose Smith County after a delegation from the executive board visited in January. Smith County Purchasing Director Kelli Davis and Precinct 2 Commissioner Bill McGinnis say the group was drawn to Smith County because of its central location and its innovative purchasing methods. “We are honored to host the TxPPA 2011 state convention,” Mrs. Davis said. “The fact that we were chosen shows how hard we have worked to mold the Smith County Purchasing Department into the kind of program that sets the example for responsible, efficient purchasing.” McGinnis added, “A lot of hard work has come to fruition with this announcement” McGinnis who also serves as Liaison to the Smith County Purchasing Department.

The Texas Public Purchasing Association comprises of 600 Purchasing Directors from Texas cities, counties, school districts and colleges. TxPPA Vice President Kay Foster (DFW Airport) was among those who attended the tour in January. “We chose Smith County because of their enthusiasm to host the conference and their hospitality. They set the example for working well with their surrounding purchasing agencies,” Ms. Foster said. “We look forward to this being a truly successful conference.” An exact date for the conference has not yet been determined but it will be sometime between late October and early November of next year, according to Ms. Foster.

ATHENS -- An over $32 million expansion is beginning at East Texas Medical Center Athens. A groundbreaking ceremony yesterday signaled the start of the project that will nearly double the size of the hospital built over 20 years ago.

“This is a profoundly important day in the life of ETMC Athens,” said Administrator Pat Wallace. “By executing these plans, we’re upholding the commitment we made to Henderson County back in 1982 when we entered into a partnership. The relationship established with the Henderson County Hospital Authority, our landlord, continues strong to this day.”

According to the ETMC web site, the two-year project will take place in a series of phases as the southwest corner of the hospital is expanded with a 55,600-square-foot wraparound. Twelve thousand square feet of existing space will be remodeled. Along with the expansion comes the need for additional employees. An estimated 100 full- and part-time employees will be hired as targeted departments expand.

“ETMC’s relationship with Athens and Henderson County represents more than 25 years of advancing healthcare to the highest level possible for the community,” noted Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. “This expansion of the beautiful ETMC Athens campus will help us meet the growing needs of the population as part of our mission of care. We are excited to celebrate the groundbreaking, knowing that the new medical space will benefit countless East Texans and our care-giving team for many years to come.”

Among the occupants of the new space will be the emergency department. The new and improved ER will boast 22 spacious exam rooms, up from the current 14, two state-of-the-art trauma rooms and a spacious, private waiting area. Outside the new emergency room, a multi-lane canopy will provide shelter for two ambulances and from six to eight cars at a time. There will also be additional parking to support the ER.

Occupying the very corner of the new space will be the intensive care unit, which will have two more patient beds than its current eight. The third department to occupy the new space will be surgery, where there will be a new prep-and-hold area, five operating rooms, up from the current three, a recovery area and day surgery space.

Once the ICU is relocated into the new space, the OB department will expand its footprint to include the area currently being occupied by the ICU. Among the gains for the OB department will be eight additional “labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum” rooms. The department currently has one LDRP room, which provides a spacious environment where expectant moms can, in most cases, stay throughout their hospital stay. All the existing postpartum rooms will be refurbished.

The radiology department will also expand, thanks to space made available by the adjustment of departments. Parking spaces are now being added to the back of the ETMC Athens complex, in order to partially compensate for parking areas that will be claimed by construction needs. Visitor parking at the front of the hospital will also be expanded and access improved.

AUSTIN -- The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued an advisory warning people to limit their consumption of flathead catfish, freshwater drum, gar, largemouth bass, spotted bass and white bass from the Neches River in seven counties in East Texas. The advisory area encompasses a stretch of the Neches River and all contiguous waters in Angelina, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Polk, Trinity and Tyler counties.

The advisory was issued after laboratory testing showed elevated levels of mercury in fish samples from the six species taken from the river. Other species, such as crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish and smallmouth buffalo, were sampled and are not included in the advisory.

Adults should limit consumption of the six fish species from this stretch of the Neches River to no more than two 8-ounce servings per month. Children under 12 years old should limit their consumption of these same fish to no more than two 4-ounce servings per month. Women who are nursing, pregnant or who may become pregnant should not consume the six fish species from this stretch of the Neches River.

Regular ingestion of methylmercury, the mercury compound in the fish, can harm the human brain and nervous system. Young children are especially at risk. The brain and nervous system in a developing fetus can be permanently damaged if the mother-to-be eats foods containing elevated levels of mercury during pregnancy.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that gets into air and water from the weathering of the earth's crust, from the burning of fossil fuels and from some industrial discharges and emissions. Elevated levels of mercury in fish do not pose a health risk for people swimming, fishing or participating in other water recreation activities in the Neches River.

HOUSTON (AP) -- A state district judge in Houston has rescinded a highly criticized ruling that the death penalty was unconstitutional. But Judge Kevin Fine wants more information on whether the state's death penalty statute is unconstitutional because it allows for the possible execution of an innocent person.

AUSTIN (AP) -- Democrat Bill White is criticizing Republican Gov. Rick Perry for pressing state agencies to cut their budgets by five percent, calling the approach "Soviet-style" budget management. White refuses to rule out possible tax increases to close a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion. White faces Perry in the November elections.

McALLEN (AP) -- A trial has started for a former worker at a state facility for the developmentally disabled in Corpus Christi. An investigator pointed out Guadalupe Delarosa Jr. abusing residents in videos shown on the first day of testimony.

ROSATI, MO. (AP) -- A man wanted on a felony warrant in Texas was fatally shot by state troopers in Missouri after reportedly firing on officers along a highway. The Missouri State Highway Patrol joined local police in pursuit of the man. The patrol says the man stopped his pickup truck, got out and fired at officers. Deputies and a trooper returned fire, killing the suspect.

DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas police say charges against a former city attorney accused of shooting a father and son at their financial business are on hold because the suspect is not expected to survive. They say Robert Mustard shot himself in the head after the Monday shooting.

ITALY (AP) -- An off-duty state trooper shot at the North Texas home of another off-duty trooper is in stable condition. The Department of Public Safety says the second man apparently was not involved in the shooting yesterday. The injured man was taken by helicopter to a Dallas medical center.

DALLAS (AP) -- A federal appeals court in New Orleans has rejected an appeal by a Texas man condemned for the shooting death of his 19-month-old son in 2002. That moves Timothy Wayne Adams a step closer to execution. The court says Adams failed to show his constitutional rights were violated at his trial in Houston.

ODESSA (AP) -- The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says a West Texas man convicted of killing his pregnant common-law wife and her mother in 2005 has committed suicide. Department spokeswoman Michelle Lyons says Leo Angel Luna was found hanging in his cell over the weekend.

PORTLAND, ORE. (AP) -- A Lubbock man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of interference with a flight crew on a Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Kansas City to Portland, Oregon. Federal prosecutors say a flight attendant refused to serve Jesse Todd Thompson more alcohol because he appeared intoxicated. They say he became enraged, later locking himself in a bathroom.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- A company that operates a taxi service and a crew transportation service for railroad workers is moving 62 positions from North Dakota to its Texas headquarters. The dispatching and accounting departments will be moved to Dallas by the end of May.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Forecasters say a wetter-than-usual winter and a jet stream dipping into Tornado Alley could lead to an active spring for tornadoes. The 2010 tornado season has started slow with only two twisters reported, but Greg Carbin of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, predicts an increase as the Southern Plains warm up.