WASHINGTON — A new photo ID requirement for Texas voters has been rejected by the U.S. Justice Department. The agency says the state has failed to show that the new law has neither a discriminatory purpose nor effect. The department also says it objected to the law because many Hispanic voters lack state-issued identification.

Now a federal court in Washington will decide whether Texas, as well as South Carolina, will be allowed to enforce its new voter photo ID requirements. Other states have similar laws.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement following the Justice Department’s decision:

“Texas has a responsibility to ensure elections are fair, beyond reproach and accurately reflect the will of voters. The DOJ has no valid reason for rejecting this important law, which requires nothing more extensive than the type of photo identification necessary to receive a library card or board an airplane. Their denial is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s continuing and pervasive federal overreach,” the governor said.

 

Autistic Elderly Woman Defrauded by Local Scam Artist

LONGVIEW - According to a News Release by the Longview Police Department, on February 21, 2012 an Officer was dispatched to 107 Mumford in reference to an assist citizen call.  The Officer was told by the victim, Diana Lawrence, that a man known to her as Danny Young, came to her house and offered to pave her driveway for a fee. Once the driveway was done he informed the victim that the charge would be $6,000.00.  He told the victim that there would need to be more work done which would, in turn, cost more money.  Ms. Lawrence then learned that the suspect had not repaved her driveway correctly and the substance he used simply crumbled away.

Mr. Young, whose company is Danny’s Paving located in Texarkana, Texas, has several employees that also work for him and may be driving a blue cab truck or a dump truck with a red dumping bed on it.

Longview Police have also learned that there may be more victims who have been defrauded by Danny Young.  If someone feels they may have also been a victim of Mr. Young or have more information on Danny Young they are asked to contact Sgt. David Hazel at (903) 235-0303.

Cause of Mineola Fire Determined

MINEOLA — The cause of a fire that destroyed a petroleum plant in Mineola has been determined.

Authorities in Wood County say spilled gasoline from a lawnmower ignited when the property owner tried to start the mower causing it to backfire and igniting the gas causing several explosions.

The Pearce Petroleum Products was a total loss. No injuries were reported.

 

Arrested Attorney Could Still Run for Office

CONROE — An attorney who was arrested while trying to run for a district judgeship in Montgomery County could still be on the ballot.

The head of the county’s Republican party says Jessica Siegel’s application hasn’t been rejected. She was arrested on Friday after authorities say she provided false information on her application.

 

TCU Football Player Formally Charged

FORT WORTH — A TCU football player has been charged with three cases of delivery of marijuana. Cornerback Devin Johnson and three others are accused of selling marijuana to undercover officers and sometimes arranged deals around practices.

Each case carries up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

 

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