District Attorney Martin Braddy, left, and defense attorney John Nation, top, listen as Jose Chavez, center, enters a plea of guilty to a lesser offense of murder in the death of Robert Whiteside. Eighth Judicial District Judge Robert Newsom heard the  plea and sentenced him to 30 years in prison. (Optic Photo by Lillie Bush-Reves ‘09)

A staple in many American pantries, peanut butter, is suspected of causing a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A total of 488 people in 43 states have reported been infected, including six in Texas and none in Franklin County. See the Jan. 29 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

Brookshire Grocery Co., parent company of Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods, was recently named as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2009. The Tyler-based grocer has received this honor four years in a row.  See the Jan. 29 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

A contract to house prisoners for Hopkins County was formally put into place Monday, Jan. 26. The interlocal agreement may never see use if Hopkins County Jail is recertified by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), as expected by Hopkins Co. Sheriff Butch Adams. See the Jan. 29 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

Does he work for the Postal Service or the phone company? Billy Walker worked in the wet and cold on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to install a telephone line at the Franklin County Library.