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TYLER — A Smith County jailer and two inmates sustained minor injuries in a two vehicle wreck in Tyler. Treated and released from East Texas Medical Center was jailer Joseph Jordan, 23, and the two inmates he was transporting, Alvin Odom, 32 and Shannon Wallace, 33.

The accident occurred around 6:30 yesterday morning at the intersection of West Gentry and Palace. Jordan, in a sheriff’s department vehicle, westbound on West Gentry and was entering the intersection on a solid green light. The second vehicle was operated by Luis Chavez-Ibarra, 27, who was traveling eastbound on West Gentry. He also had a solid green light and attempted to turn left onto Palace, hitting the county vehicle in the intersection. Chavez-Ibarra refused any medical treatment and was cited for failing to yield right-of-way.

Officers said Jordan was traveling westbound on W. Gentry and was entering the intersection on a solid green light. The second vehicle was operated by Luis Chavez-Ibarra, 27, who was traveling eastbound on W. Gentry. He also had a solid green light and attempted to turn left onto Palace striking the County vehicle in the intersection. Jordan, who is employed as a jailer, and his two passenger inmates were transported to East Texas Medical Center Hospital with minor injuries and released. Chavez-Ibarra refused any medical treatment and was cited for failing to yield right-of-way.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police are investigating a weekend stabbing. According to KETK, William Chunn, 34, Lufkin, was found inside a local business, near the bowling alley, Saturday night with a stab wound to his neck. He was taken to a local hospital. According to the victim and witness statements, a racial comment caused the argument between two groups of people. Authorities said alcohol was involved. Police are still searching for the stabbing suspect.

TYLER — Police are investigating a shooting that sent a Tyler man to Mother Francis Hospital. The hospital emergency room notified police that they had a gunshot victim. It happened early yesterday morning. Investigators say Kertral Damon Murphy, 18, told them that he was shot by an unknown person on West Gentry.

Family members at the hospital however, indicated that Murphy was at a party somewhere in the area around West Erwin and Glenwood prior to the shooting. Officers searched both areas for evidence and any witnesses but failed to locate any leads. Murphy was brought to the hospital by an unknown black male driving possibly a tan or gold colored vehicle with tinted windows. This subject left the hospital after Murphy left the vehicle. Murphy was shot one time in the lower back and underwent surgery for what is believed to be a non-life threatening injury.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor A.K. Gillis & Sons, Inc., of Sulphur Springs, is working to rebuild Farm Road 2339 between Farm Road 1861 south of Martins Mill and Farm Road 773 south of Ben Wheeler. The approximate $1.7 million project let in March and is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. Motorists should expect one-lane traffic during work hours and seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on FM 859 between Edgewood and Interstate Highway 20. A second crew is scheduled to conclude fog seal operations on IH 20 service roads between the Kaufman County Line and Farm Road 859, on Farm Road 17 between IH 20 and State Highway 64, and on State Highway 198 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 3080.

Finally this week, crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 314 south of Van between Farm Road 1995 and State Highway 64. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TENNESSEE COLONY — Texas Department of Transportation construction crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately three weeks of resurfacing work on Farm Road 645 between U.S. Highway 287 north of Tennessee Colony and Farm Road 3328 near the TDCJ Beto I Unit. A second construction crew is scheduled to begin pouring concrete rip-rap for erosion control on SE Loop 256 in Palestine near Palestine High School.

Finally this week, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 59 between U.S. Highway 287 and the Henderson County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

SMITH COUNTY — Beginning Tuesday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on the Loop 323 Extension between NE Loop 323 and U.S. Highway 271 north of Tyler.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Tyler, on Sunday, survey crews worked on West Loop 323 at the railroad overpass just south of State Highway 31 (Front Street). The work was done in advance of a project scheduled for 2013 to eliminate the bottleneck at that location by expanding the loop to six lanes in that area.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 31 in Malakoff. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Spur 63 in various locations between North Loop 281 and State Highway 31. The work is in preparation for a resurfacing project later this spring. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 2088. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer.

A second crew is scheduled to make edge repairs on Farm Road 515 west of Farm Road 2225. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk in the curb-and-gutter section between U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 110. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — There are a couple of chances tonight to learn more about candidates in upcoming elections. The public is welcome and admission is free at both events.

Grassroots America – We The People will host a debate between Republican Leo Berman & Matt Schaefer, candidates for the Texas House of Representatives, District 6. It’s set for 6:30pm at Cornerstone Church Assembly of God, 9107 Paluxy Drive in Tyler.

Across town, The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County will be sponsoring a local candidate forum at 7:00pm in the Boardroom of the Plyler Instructional Center located at 807 West Glenwood Blvd. in Tyler. Candidates participating will be:
– Constable, Precinct 1: Henry Jackson and Reggie Wilson
– Constable, Precinct 2: Andy Dunklin
– Constable, Precinct 3: Dustin Rust, Scott McAuley, Jim Blackman and Bob Overman
– Tyler City Council, District 2: Sarah Coats, Darryl Bowdre and Charles Burns
There will be a panel asking questions, and questions will be taken from the audience.

The county and statewide primaries are May 29. Those include the Berman-Schaefer election and the constable elections, among others. The city council election is among those scheduled for May 12. You can go to http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2012dates.shtml for more on the election schedules.

ANDERSON COUNTY — A 25-year-old Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officer was charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle Friday afternoon when he allegedly fled authorities after failing to stop for a school bus dropping off school children. David Ekwejunor was arrested by an Anderson County Precinct 2 Constable around 3:30 on U.S. 287, north of Palestine.

According to the Palestine Herald-Press, Ekwejunor, a correctional officer at the TDCJ’s Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, was charged with evading arrest/detention with a motor vehicle and a handful of other violations, including failing to stop for a school bus with lights flashing. Authorities said the chase ended after Department of Public Safety Troopers placed spike strips in the road and Ekwejunor’s tires were flattened.

TYLER — Tyler Police are looking for a suspect in a weekend assault. It happened just before 8:15 Saturday morning in the area of Donnybrook and 2nd Street. Officers said a woman claimed she was walking her dog when a Hispanic man pulled along side her in a vehicle, pointed a gun at her and demanded she get in the car. The woman said she refused and ran to a nearby house. She said the suspect drove off. The car is described as a white four door.

LONGVIEW – A two-vehicle accident has injured a Longview police officer. On Thursday at 6:07 p.m., Longview police were dispatched to an accident with injuries at the intersection of McCann Road and West Loop 281. Upon arrival, officers discovered that Officer Jose Montalvo had been responding to a call on the west side of town with his lights and siren on. As he entered the intersection, he was hit by a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Aaron Matte Hoescher of Kilgore. The impact sent Officer Montalvo’s patrol car ran several yards down an embankment on the northwest side of the intersection.

Officer Montalvo was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Hoescher and a passenger in his vehicle were taken by private car to another health care facility. At this time no charges have been filed against the driver of the Dodge truck, but the accident remains under investigation. Officer Montalvo was admitted to the hospital for observation, and is in stable condition. KETK reports Hoescher was treated and released.

MANSFIELD — Two robbery suspects have been arrested after a robbery at the EXXON station in Lindale April 10. The Lindale Police Department issued an aggravated robbery warrant on Charles Terrion Camp, 48. Investigators were notified that Camp was in custody in Mansfield with a $100,000 bond. According to KETK, a female accomplice was identified as Desiree Nicole Satterwhite, 25. She was also in custody in Mansfield. An arrest warrant was issued Satterwhite for aggravated robbery with a $100,000 bond. Both suspects are still incarcerated at the Mansfield Center facing several armed robbery charges.

LINDALE — A car has run into the Chevron gas station on the 11000 block of Hwy. 69 in Lindale. Authorities say two elderly women were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, shortly before noon Friday. After getting gas, according to law officers, the driver accidentally rammed her car into the building. According to KETK, no one was injured.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials say they’re searching for a wanted fugitive. 25-year old Charles Glenn Allen of Kilgore is sought for two active felony warrants in Rusk County, one for aggravated robbery and one for aggravated assault with deadly weapon. According to KETK, anyone with information as to his whereabouts may call the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, (903) 657-3581, or Rusk County Crime Stoppers, (903) 655-TIPS(8477). Rusk County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for Information leading to his arrest.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are on the hunt for a burglary syspect. On March 21, Officer Alex Chorba was dispatched to 320 E. Loop 281 for a vehicle burglary. When Officer Chorba arrived, the victim told him someone had broken the front passenger window of her 2007 Nissan truck and taken several items out of the truck, including her purse.

On March 29, Officer Nora Cheatham was following up on the case after learning a credit card taken from the vehicle had been used to purchase items from a kiosk located in the Longview Mall. Officers were able to retrieve video from that location and are attempting to identify a suspect in the case. The suspect is described as a heavy se, black male (300-350 pounds), possibly in his 30s, balding, with a goatee. The suspect is believed to be driving a midnight blue Ford F-150 Quad Cab with running boards and no front license plate.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is asked to contact Detective Melissa Dobbs at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous he or she can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

JACKSONVILLE — Lon Morris College officials say employees should soon be receiving their delayed March 31 payments if they haven’t already gotten them. According to a statement issued to our news partner KETK, Lon Morris officials notified faculty and staff on Monday, April 16th, that funds were being processed to update the March 31st payroll. The Comptroller informed everyone that funds would be uploaded and sent out on Thursday, April 19th.

The college says live checks were printed and available for employees not using direct deposits on Thursday, April 19th. School officials add that direct deposits were available to employees in their accounts either Thursday, April 19th, or Friday, April 20th. Officials say they’re currently working on the April 15th payroll so employees will be up-to-date on payment.

Earlier this month, Jessica Chile, Director of Admissions and Media Relations for the school, said the college didn’t have the funds to issue the payments. Chile says the ends of the semesters tend to strain the school’s finances because its government funding has been depleted by that time.

TYLER – The American Rose Society Board of Directors will hold its annual spring session at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and Rose Garden Center on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The daylong meeting will include regular business of the national plant society. That includes financial reports and committee reports on activities ranging from rose horticulture judging and rose arrangement judging, to educational publications, to long range planning for the organization, among other items. The American Rose Society board of directors meets twice annually as required by its national by-laws.

Executive Director Jeff Ware, based in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, states, “The American Rose Society is eager to meet in Tyler, Texas. It is a natural fit for America’s rose society to meet in America’s rose capital. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is an amazing display of roses and I commend Craig Reiland and his staff for their hard work that is so clearly evident. The Rose Garden Center is a wonderful meeting space. We are extremely honored to be able to bring this important meeting to Tyler.” The American Rose Society is the largest and oldest national plant society, first organized in Washington, D.C., in 1892.

TYLER — The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted its Outstanding Achievement Award to East Texas Medical Center Cancer Institute along with a small select group of accredited cancer programs that were surveyed in 2011. “We are very pleased to have received this recognition for providing the highest level of quality cancer care,” said Todd Sigmon, vice president of the ETMC Cancer Institute. “The award is granted to facilities that demonstrate a high level of compliance with established standards in areas such as: leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.” Only around 20 percent of the cancer programs surveyed in 2011 received the award.

TYLER – A 38-year-old Fort Worth man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Ray Lee Ransom, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine Friday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, from May 2009 through May 2010, Ransom purchased hydrocodone, alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine from numerous pharmacies in the Eastern District of Texas and other areas using fraudulent prescriptions. He then sold the controlled substances to others. Ransom and five others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 2, 2011. Ransom faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man was sentenced to 75 years in prison Wednesday on felony drug charges. Bryan Dion Williams, 27, was charged with a possession of a controlled substance, which was enhanced to a first-degree felony because he had two prior drug convictions. According to the Longview News-Journal, Williams was arrested May 17 at a Kilgore car wash, where he was found with a dozen crack rocks weighing nearly 6 grams, a roll of cash and a shotgun. His trial on the gun possession charge is set next week.

GREGG COUNTY — Police are searching for a suspect wanted after a Longview business is robbed. It happened early Wednesday around 2:15. Officers were responding to an alarm call at Bagley Power Equipment, 3709 South Eastman Road. Upon arrival, they found the glass door had been shattered. The owner of the business arrived a short time later and told police three Husqvarna chainsaws were missing.

Officers reviewed a security video and described the suspect as a white male, 35-40 years old, about -6 feet tall and weighing approximately 300 pounds. He has short brown hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a camouflage cap and a blue short sleeved t-shirt with a white spot near the right rear shoulder area. He is also wearing black shorts with red and white vertical stripes on the side, white socks, and brown
shoes.

Authorities said he might be driving a light colored four-door passenger car with spoke wheels, black door handles, and fog lamps. The car also has black door posts and a black plastic section between the taillights. It also has a large after market antenna on the left side of the trunk. Police think he’s the same suspect that burglarized the store at least twice over the last several months.Anyone with information is asked to contact Longview Police or CrimeStoppers.

ZAVALLA — A one-vehicle accident Thursday night in Angelina County has killed a Van Zandt County man. Stewart Hall, 47, of Ben Wheeler, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident near the intersection of State Highway 63 and County Road 255. The accident happened shortly after 9:45. The Department of Public Safety reports Hall’s 18-wheeler left the road and rolled over.

TYLER — It’s that time of year when many folks begin to move into new homes. So what happens if you choose the wrong movers? The Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas says a lot of people have in the past, and it can cost you more than you expect.

According to KETK, in one case, a family found out its bill was double or triple the amount of the original invoice. The bureau cites “horror stories” of furniture being held hostage. One accredited mover, Stanley Smith, says some movers “ride the clock…just mess around.” Smith says he’s heard stories of not only price gouging, but even theft. His advice: put all valuables away, and don’t tip anybody.

Another piece of advice: if you’re spending the money entrusting strangers to move your things, do your homework. Some moving companies are reportedly “fly-by-night” operations that charge much more than you expect to pay — and may even cost you your items.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) – A 34-year-old man accused of kidnapping and killing an 18-year-old barista from an Anchorage coffee shack has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Israel Keyes, who was arrested in East Texas, entered his pleas through his lawyer in U.S. District Court on Thursday in Anchorage. A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Keyes in the death of Samantha Koenig. Keyes pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping resulting in death, receiving and possessing ransom money, and debit card fraud.

Prosecutors believe that Keyes abducted Koenig on the evening of Feb. 1 just as she was preparing to close the coffee shack for the day, and then killed her the next morning. Koenig’s body was pulled two months later from the bottom of a frozen lake north of the city in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Keyes was arraigned March 27 in federal court in Anchorage on a fraud charge, shortly after being returned from Lufkin, Texas, where he was arrested. If convicted, Keyes could be sentenced to life in prison or death.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview seek help catching a person who tried to steal some materials from a department store. Just before 5:30 Monday afternoon, officers responded to a theft at Sears at 3500 McCann Road. When officers arrived they were told by loss prevention that a white male had attempted to steal a router and some pliers and leave the store. When loss prevention personnel confronted the thief he threw the items down and attempted to leave the store. When the store’s loss prevention personnel attempted to stop him again he pushed the Sears employee and ran out of the store.

The suspect is described as a white male with dark hair and a goatee, and tattoos on both shoulders. If anyone has any information regarding this theft, you’re asked to contact Detective Gary Shirley at 903-237-2705. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-237-7867.

LINCOLN, NEB. (AP/Staff) – Officials have unveiled a new preferred route for the Nebraska portion of the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline that avoids the state’s groundwater-rich Sandhills region. Nebraska environmental officials released details Thursday about the proposal that would veer east around the Sandhills before looping back to the original route. Developer Transcanada says the reroute adds about 100 miles to the original 1,700-mile project that would carry oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast, running through much of East Texas. The proposed route takes it through eastern Smith County.

TransCanada submitted the proposal after Governor Dave Heineman allowed the state officials to proceed with an environmental review. The review had stalled in January after the Obama administration rejected a federal permit for the pipeline. Administration officials said they didn’t have time to review the project before a congressional deadline and cited uncertainty about the Nebraska route.

DALLAS — A Dallas police officer facing 10 counts of sexual assault has been fired. Officer Charles Walker was arrested in Rains County in February and charged with child indecency and two counts of sexual assault. He was placed on administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation was conducted. Walker is accused of sexually assaulting a family member while the alleged victim was both an adult and a teen. In addition to Walker, two other Dallas police officers were fired for lesser offenses.

HOUSTON (AP) – A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal from a death row inmate convicted of fatally beating an East Texas woman with a tire iron during a break-in of her home a decade ago. Lawyers for Mario Swain, 33, contended his confessions to the December 2002 slaying of Lola Nixon, 46, of Longview improperly were admitted at his capital murder trial. They also argued his trial lawyers were deficient and jury selection was improper. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday refused the claims, moving Swain a step closer to execution. Nixon apparently came home while Swain was in her house and was attacked. Her body was thrown in the trunk of her car and dumped in a field. Swain does not have an execution date.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are still searching for a man who led them on a chase through county roads after a routine traffic stop. It started around 11:30 Wednesday night when Kilgore officers pulled over a white male driving a Dodge Dakota truck at the EZ-Mart. Before the officers could get to the vehicle, the driver took off, leading officers down county roads before pulling into the driveway of a home on Farm Road 2276 near County Road 243. At that point, the man got out of his vehicle and ran away on foot. DPS had joined the pursuit along with helicopters. Rusk County deputies also aided in the search but the man was not found.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man is jailed after police said he threatened his girlfriend and held her at gunpoint. Harold Bernard Johnson, 32, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is in the Gregg County Jail on $100,000 bond. According to the Longview News-Journal, Johnson met his girlfriend at a home in Lakeport. Police said he was intoxicated and possibly under the influence of narcotics. After an argument Johnson with another man at the residence, Johnson reportedly hit the woman. He then retrieved a gun. The victim was able to call police from a neighbor’s house.

TYLER — Smith County Constable Dustin Rust is free on bond and says he will fight the charges that have been filed against him. The Precinct 3 Constable turned himself in Tuesday following his grand jury indictment. His bond was set at $22,500. Rust was released a short time later. The special grand jury indictment stems from charges that Rust and his deputies had been running an unlicensed private security business.

PALESTINE – Authorities are still trying to find the cause of a fire that destroyed a house and mobile home just north of Palestine. It was reported shortly after 10:15 Monday morning off State Highway 155 near the intersection of County Roads 363 and 359. Investigators say both structures were a total loss. No injuries were reported.

RUSK — Officials say lawn equipment thefts are up in Cherokee County — and the problem seems to be getting worse. According to KETK, one issue is that some of the property is being taken outside the county, where authorities say it’s harder to track. One example: equipment reportedly taken for sale at Canton Trades Days. Another problem, according to authorities, is that most people don’t keep track of the serial number on their lawn equipment. Some, officials say, don’t even know the brand of their missing equipment. Authorities recommend that you take both of these precautions.