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LONGVIEW – A man killed in a Longview accident has been identified. He is Trent Ruchti Hepler, 32, of Longview. He was killed in an accident in the 4000 block of Estes Parkway shortly before 10:45 Tuesday morning.

Investigators say a state trooper had been traveling southbound on Estes Parkway in route to an accident scene when he lost control of his Chevrolet Tahoe and left the roadway, crossing the northbound lanes of traffic. The Trooper’s vehicle went through a chain link fence and struck a natural gas meter before coming to a stop. The trooper was not injured.

Two motorists, who had witnessed the accident, stopped to check on him, parking on the southbound shoulder of the roadway. As they were checking on the trooper, a large truck pulling a trailer attempted to avoid slowing traffic and lost control of his vehicle. The truck and trailer hit three pickup trucks and one of the two motorists, who was out of his vehicle. The motorist was pronounced dead at the scene by Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson. A driver of one of the pickup trucks was transported to a Longview hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER — Two elections in Smith County may hinge on as-yet uncounted ballots. Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says these fall into two categories. One is provisional ballots — ones that were cast even though an individual’s eligibility to vote was in question. Nelson says there are 77 such ballots in the county. The other category is overseas military ballots; Nelson says about 100 of those are still out. One of the elections involves the Tyler ISD bond proposal; the other will determine whether beer and wine can be purchased for off-premise consumption in J.P. Precinct 4. Both measures were behind when all regular ballots had been counted — but by razor-thin margins, with the votes split virtually down the middle.

Nelson says officials have begun processing the provisional ballots to determine, first, how many will be ruled valid. Then officials will count the valid votes, if there are any. Nelson hopes to have the provisional ballots processed and counted by early Thursday afternoon. The deadline for receiving overseas military ballots is Monday, November 8, at 5 p.m. Nelson says officials have until November 10 to count those ballots, and she hopes to have it done by late afternoon on November 9. The canvassing period is November 10-15. Nothing becomes official at least until the canvassing is done — and challenges or recounts could always come into play. KTBB will keep you posted on how things turn out.

TISD board president Ron Vickery said regardless of the outcome, he’s pleased with the heavy voter turnout. If the bond issue passes, Vickery said the school district will move forward with plans for three new schools. In recent days, some opposition has emerged to the proposal for a new Rice Elementary School based on concerns about possibly moving the campus. Vickery says a key piece of any plans for Rice will be setting up public forums in order to get questions about the school’s future answered as quickly as possible. If the proposal loses, Vickery says school district officials will try to “put together a proposal and do it at a time and in a manner that we hopefully will have some wide community input on and support on.” According to Vickery, bond opponents seem to agree that TISD has facility needs, but there’s been disagreement about “what the plan should look like.”

Other local races were decided early. Both Bullard and Whitehouse will allow mixed beverages in restaurants, but neither will allow beer and wine to be bought in stores for off-premise consumption. Also, State Representative Leo Berman and District Attorney Matt Bingham cruised to easy victories; other area Republican hopefuls appeared on the way to similar wins.

TYLER – A 47-year-old Carthage man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Bradley Thomas Boren pleaded guilty in Tyler to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 13, 2008, Boren purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from a Wal-Mart store in Longview, as well as on numerous other occasions at other stores in the area, all in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. Boren was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 8, 2010. Boren faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the violation. A sentencing date has not been set.

LONGVIEW — Much-welcome rains mean Gregg County is no longer under an outdoor burning ban. County Judge Bill Stoudt lifted the ban Tuesday afternoon. Persistent dry weather in the area has caused a number of East Texas counties to prohibit outdoor burning.

TYLER — For the past two years, work has been underway to create a veterans’ court in Smith County. That work paid off Tuesday when Smith County Commissioners approved the project. Recently a task force appointed for the veterans’ court presented plans for implementation of the court to the commissioners.

The court is designed as an optional measure for judges to provide help to veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems linked to their time in the service. It is not for serious crimes. Veterans facing misdemeanor or some felony offense charges, who meet certain guidelines, will have the one-time opportunity to avoid jail time, enter treatment and a mentoring program.

Spearheading the project has been social worker Choya Shanahan who has praise for Smith County’s leadership. She recently told KETK, “Their vision, their foresight, and their diligence in pushing this forward has really been appreciated by all 18,000 veterans in Smith County.”

TYLER — North Chase Development officials Tuesday broke ground on the Lake View Apartment Homes, planned as a 140-unit gated senior living community. The project is being developed and constructed, and will be managed, by Lankford Interests of Houston. The one-story complex will contain 44 one-bedroom, one-bath units and 96 two-bedroom, two-bath units. Amenities include a swimming pool and community center that houses a game/recreation room, library, computer/learning center and fitness room. The project benefits low- to moderate-income seniors age 55 or older through Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs tax credits. It is anticipated the first units will be ready for occupancy in Spring 2011.

North Chase, under the direction of Ed Thompson and North Chase Development, is a master-planned, mixed-use development of low-, medium-, and high-density residential areas, along with dedicated greenspaces and mixed-use retail, commercial and office spaces. According to a North Chase news release, eight distinct areas offer residents and visitors the best of modern convenience — all in a natural setting.

Thompson says he wants to revitalize Tyler’s north side through his projects — and he says he’s “ecstatic” that his newest effort has gotten off the ground. On a recent KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Thompson said he’s had success with other northside efforts that initially met with skepticism. Now he’s inviting the public to support his current project, at North Broadway and the Loop. The North Chase package has drawn lots of support from the city. You can go to http://www.northchasetyler.com for more information.

TYLER — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. James Michael Fortin, 45, of Longview, pleaded guilty in March to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 69 months in federal prison Yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say, on July 28, 2009, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fortin’s home for suspected child pornography. During the search, Fortin’s personal computer was seized and a forensic analysis revealed 5 videos and around 100 digital images of child pornography. Officials say some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

TEXARKANA — A 33-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking in East Texas. Luis Antonio Palomo pleaded guilty on Aug. 24 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Palomo was sentenced in Texarkana to 84 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge David Folsom. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 19, 2009, Palomo and a co-defendant were stopped for speeding on Interstate 30 in Titus County. Palomo gave DPS troopers consent to search the rental truck he was driving. During the search, troopers located bundles containing over 928 kilograms of marijuana. Palomo was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 6, 2010.

TYLER – A 32-year-old Big Sandy, Texas man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking Tuesday. Noel Arreon Weatherby pleaded guilty on Apr. 12 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 20, 2008, Weatherby was found by Upshur County Sheriff’s deputies and Winnsboro police officers at a residence where he was preparing to manufacture methamphetamine. Weatherby was in possession of laboratory equipment and a liquid solution containing about 200 grams of methamphetamine.

TYLER — A Rusk County man has been sentenced to federal prison for federal firearms and drug violations. Jeremy Allen Creson, 23, of Henderson pleaded guilty in March to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 130 months in federal prison. Creson received 70 months for the gun violation and 60 months for the drug violation.

Federal prosecutors say in April of last year, Creson was in possession of a gun while distributing methamphetamine. On August 10, 2009, Creson was found in Rusk County with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others. A federal grand jury indicted Creason in November of last year.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a reported robbery. It happened Monday night on County Road 3116. According to KETK, deputies say a man was giving someone a ride when the suspect allegedly pulled a gun on him, stole his car and attempted to rob him. The male suspect fired one shot from a small black handgun. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER — A rally was held Monday night at the Panthers Stadium in Bullard. Part politics and part prayer, the “Come Pray With Me Rally” organizers say, is about the future of the United States. This was the second “Come Pray With Me Rally.” A rally was held back in September which had a turnout of 967 attendees with people from Dallas, Houston and Louisiana. According to KETK, because of the turnout from the last rally, organizers say, they decided to move this rally to a stadium but, even with the large numbers, they say it’s all about the message. Organizers say in the end it doesn’t matter what party people belong too, they are looking for leaders to rise up for community and the country.

TYLER — A Tyler judge has sentenced a Henderson County man to prison for online solicitation of a minor. Judge Christi Kennedy Monday sentenced Brennen Lee Bledsoe, 22, of Chandler, to four years in prison. He had been accused of sending inappropriate photos and texts to a 14-year-old girl’s cell phone this summer. The girl’s mother found the items and notified authorities. Bledsoe pleaded guilty to the charges last month.

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities are trying to identify a body found in a burning mobile home. The Friday morning fire was reported around 10:15 on Beaver Pond Road in southern Henderson County. The body was sent to Dallas for autopsy. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The double-wide mobile home was destroyed by the fire.

LUFKIN — A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. Killed was David Scott Kolb, 41, of Nacogdoches. He died at Lufkin’s Memorial Medical Center a short time after the accident . The Department of Public Safety reports Kolb was east bound on Homer Alto Road when his pickup left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened around 8:15 Monday morning.