Company reaches deal with groups
whose protests have stalled pipelineLONGVIEW -- An agreement reached in an East Texas court between a company building a Canada-to-Gulf Coast oil pipeline and various groups protesting the project could signal a retreat on the part of demonstrators.The Longview News-Journal reported Saturday that lawyers for TransCanada obtained a permanent injunction against Tar Sands Blockade, Rising Tide North America, Rising Tide Texas and others Friday in Wood County District Court.Protesters agreed to not go onto TransCanada property to protest; not to block access to the company's equipment or that of contractors; and not to threaten or harm any employees.TransCanada has been constructing a shorter portion of the pipeline from Oklahoma to Texas. But work in East Texas has been repeatedly stalled by protests in Franklin, Wood, Smith and Nacogdoches counties.Actress Daryl Hannah was arrested in October in Wood County protesting the pipeline. In December, three people were arrested near the town of Winona after they crawled inside a section of pipe to stall work on the $7 billion project. Others have chained themselves to equipment.-- The Associated PressChurch closes after pastor arrestedon drug, domestic violence chargesTEXAS CITY -- A Southeast Texas church that saw its pastor arrested on drug possession and family violence charges appears to have shut down.The Galveston County Daily News reports that a bank has foreclosed on the Baypoint Community Church's property in Texas City. The news comes weeks after the church's pastor, Terry Gass, was accused of pushing his girlfriend out of his SUV. Police found him and the SUV in the church's parking lot in November. While he was being booked, police say they noticed cocaine wrapped in a dollar bill in his wallet.-- The Associated PressHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
