Billy Butler By Susan Taft staft@etcnonline.com Six more people have been arrested in an ongoing federal conspiracy investigation that began in May 2004 and involved the conspiracy to possess and deliver more than 5 kilos of cocaine. Arrested were Billy Joe Butler, Reginald Lamar Irvin, Damien Donte’ Porter, and Rodrick Tyrone Williams, all of Pittsburg. Also arrested were Taboris Lamon Porter of Seagoville and Wendella Genoa Williams of Norman, Okla. Mr. Butler, 42, Mr. Irvin, 36 and Mr. Williams, 39, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. They were also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mr. Irvin turned himself in at the Camp County Sheriff’s Office June 27. Mr. Butler was arrested on the federal charges on a traffic stop by the Pittsburg Police Department on June 20. He was arrested at his residence on unrelated charges April 17 when he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, over 4 grams under 200 grams. These felony charges will be pursued in district court in Camp County. Mr. Williams was arrested at his home on Montgomery Street June 11. The Pittsburg Police Department made the arrest. Damien Porter Damien Porter was arrested Jan. 24 on unrelated state charges when a search warrant was executed by the Camp County Sheriff’s Department, Pittsburg Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Service at his residence on County Road 1346. Mr. Porter was later indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm, use and carrying of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. A federal hold had been placed on Mr. Porter after the Jan. 24 arrest because he violated his supervised release from a prior seven year federal drug conviction. Taboris Porter Taboris Porter and Ms. Williams were charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Texas DPS narcotics officers arrested Mr. Porter at his home in Seagoville June 10. Ms. Williams was arrested June 11 by the U.S. Marshall’s Service in Norman. Five Camp County residents were formally indicted in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, on April 4, 2006, stemming from this case. They have been sentenced to federal prison. Edward LaCharles Simmons pled guilty May 12 and was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in federal prison for distribution of cocaine base. [more]

Mark Moore, Longview fire marshal, leads Nina, an accelerant detector canine.

By MaLu Bradford
mbradford@etcnonline.com

The cause of an early morning fire at Leo’s Western Wear has been deemed suspicious by investigators. The Pittsburg Fire Department was called to the fire at 404 S. Greer Blvd. June 27 at 5:55 a.m. The building is owned by Leo Ornelas.
Fire Chief Carl Cravey said after the fire was put out, firemen on the scene noticed items they thought warranted further investigation in the building.
“After our men put the fire out, we called Sgt. Richard Penn to help with the investigation,” said Chief Cravey.
Sgt. Penn, who is a certified arson investigator, said all fires are investigated to determine the cause, and origin of the fire.
After the initial inspection of the building, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) was called to assist with the investigation.
Mark Moore, fire marshal in Longview, and his team came to assist with the investigation.
“Whenever there is a request to determine if an accelerant is used, I bring Nina,” said Mr. Moore. “She is the only accelerant detector canine for the ATF in the Northeast Texas area.”
The investigation is on-going, but has it has been determined that it was an incendiary fire, or arson was involved said Sgt. Penn.
“The Pittsburg Fire Department did an outstanding job suppressing the fire,” said Sgt. Penn. “The fire was quickly put out without dowsing the building with large amounts of water.”
Chief Cravey said the new CAFS (compressed air foam system) on the new Engine One fire truck help preserve evidence.
“Naturally when you use less water, the more evidence you are going to save,” said Chief Cravey. “Training, quick response, and quick knock down, all helped this fire be quickly put out.”
Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 903-855-STOP (903-855-7867). All callers may remain anonymous.

By Debbie A. Knox
dknox@etcnonline.com

Not one, not two, but three attorneys have now given advice on a contract that usually is a routine matter, approving the low bidder. Even after meeting with a third attorney Monday night, the Pittsburg Independent School Board is not expected to make a decision on the lawn maintenance contract until July 21.
An Austin attorney, Christine Badillo from the law firm of Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Schulze and Aldridge, advised the board on the procurement laws. She advised them in open session, not relating specifically to the lawn maintenance contract. Then, she advised them in executive session relating specifically to the lawn maintenance contract and the last two bidding processes.
After returning from executive session, board member Mitch Carter asked board president Dr. Mary McKinney if board member Bobby Richardson needed to leave the room so they could discuss the matter in open session. By law, Mr. Richardson is not afforded the opportunity to participate in discussion of the lawn maintenance contract since he has bid on the contract. Dr. McKinney told Mr. Carter Mr. Richardson didn’t need to leave the room because “there would be nothing decided at the meeting tonight, it would all be decided at the July 21 board meeting.” The posted agenda for Monday night’s meeting did allow for an action item in the matter. However, Dr. McKinney asked for a vote to table the matter and board members, Jack Arnwine, Sarah Johns, Alan Brison, Rickey Parker and Dr. McKinney voted to table the matter. Mr. Carter voted not to table the matter, and Mr. Richardson abstained.
In the first bidding process Mr. Richardson was the low bidder by $16,500 but the board members voted to not accept any of the bids. In general, Ms. Badillo explained the board is not required to accept the low bidder but the board should follow the procurement process. She also said decisions should be made on what the law states. She referred to the Education Code and general laws concerning the bidding process. She also explained provisions for “intentionally” going around the laws and the penalties for public officials if the law is broken. She said the board couldn’t make decisions based on a discriminatory basis. She said the best advice was to stick to whatever was advertised, “the procurement process.”
“You are dealing with high dollars. Bidders/vendors who have a vested interest. It’s important to stick to the law,” Ms. Badillo said.
In April after the first bidding process, the board voted to go out for bids again. Mr. Richardson’s bid of $118,500 stayed the same while Tim Nicholson’s bid dropped to the lowest of $108,000. The second lowest bid was from Javier Gonzalez at $115,500.

The place to be Friday at 4 p.m. is Broach Park Recreation Complex on Loop 179. That’s when the 2008 Independence Day Blast kicks off. The event was moved to Broach Park to provide more room and better viewing of the fireworks display, which will be much larger than last year. The fireworks should begin around 9 p.m., or as soon as it gets dark.
Refreshments will be served from the new concession stand at the park. The
standard refreshments will be available, including cold drinks and popcorn. Sausage-on-a-stick has been added this year.
Souvenirs and free flags will be available again this year. Youngsters will have a couple of bounce houses and goodie bags to help keep them entertained.
There will be patriotic music to enjoy, and parachute bingo will be back. The jumpers will be floating down to the ‘bingo board’ just before dusk. Bingo tickets are available from any of the Centennial committee members, and will be on sale at the park and other areas where viewers prefer to watch the fireworks. Just look for the golf carts decorated with American flags.
There is lots of room at the park, so why not pack a picnic and make a day of it? Be sure to bring lawn chairs, blankets, sunscreen, and all the usual items necessary for celebrating Independence Day. Umbrellas for shade might be a good idea as well.