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TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Thursday approved names for two new campuses under construction. KETK reports one new campus will be named Three Lakes Middle School. It’s being built in Southwest Tyler. The gym at the school will be named after Bill and Anne Coleman. The other new facility will be named the Tyler Independent School District Career and Technology Education Center. It’s near the intersection of Earl Campbell Parkway and Bennett Avenue.

LONGVIEW (Staff/AP) — An East Texas woman who allegedly posed as a high school sophomore is behind bars. According to Longview Police, Charity Anne Johnson was arrested May 12 after officers responded to a civil matter at a home in the 400 block of South High Street. Police had been called to an apartment when the person Johnson was staying with said she no longer wanted her living there. Officers gave her a trespass warning. Police say Johnson is 34, although jail records list her as 31. She had reportedly been posing as a 15-year-old sophomore at New Life Christian School in Longview since October 2013, prior to her arrest. She allegedly registered at the school under the alias “Charity Stevens.” Continue reading Woman Allegedly Posing as High School Sophomore Arrested

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a reported shooting Thursday night. It happened just after 10:00 at Bullard Creek Apartments, 5621 Old Bullard Road. Authorities said an unknown subject fired several rounds into a residence. The victim was not injured during the shooting. Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit were called to the scene to begin an investigation while Crime Scene Investigators collected evidence. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Board of Trustees have approved Dr. Mike Turpin as the new Vice President of Instruction effective June 1. Turpin will take over for Dr. Gerald Stanglin who is retiring this month after serving in the same capacity for 17 years. “Dr. Mike Turpin brings a variety of experiences and service to Kilgore College throughout his 30 years and that positioned him as the best candidate for the role as the Vice President of Instruction,” said Dr. Bill Holda, KC President. “He has not only provided instruction throughout his 30 years at Kilgore College, but he has served as the Coordinator of Counseling & Advising, as the Director of Student Services and as the Vice President of Institutional Planning.” Holda said Dr. Turpin’s broad understanding of the many dimensions of the college will serve KC very well. Continue reading New V.P. at Kilgore College

TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital Tyler was named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare, according to a Mother Frances news release. The Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals study identifies hospitals and leadership teams that provide the highest level of value to their communities, based on a national balanced scorecard, according to Mother Frances officials. Continue reading Mother Frances Honored by Truven Health Analytics

MT. PLEASANT — A Titus County man pleads guilty to child sex crimes involving a two-year-old relative. KETK reports Adam Blankenship, 25, was arrested in October. Police say Blankenship created, distributed, and collected child porn. In a plea agreement, Blankenship will serve a 25-year prison sentence and register as a sex offender.

AUSTIN — At its May 2014 meeting, the Texas Medical Board disciplined 61 licensed physicians, four of whom were from East Texas, and issued two cease and desist orders. KETK reports the doctors work in Gilmer, Athens, Nacogdoches, and Sulphur Springs. Scott Woodrow Holland, M.D., is employed at the ETMC First Physicians Clinic in Gilmer. On May 2, the Board and Holland entered into a Mediated Agreed Order requiring Dr. Holland to within one year complete at least 28 hours of CME, divided as follows: four in risk management, eight hours in medical recordkeeping and 16 hours in management of pediatric emergencies (including infectious diseases). The Board found Dr. Holland discharged a patient without adequately assessing or treating the patient’s symptoms of sepsis. This order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Continue reading Four Area Doctors Disciplined by Texas Medical Board

TYLER — The annual Smith County Peace Officer Memorial Service was held Thursday on Tyler’s downtown square. Several area law enforcement agencies gathered to honor officers who died in the line of duty. Tyler officer Don Martin says he was very pleased with the turnout — and that it’s important to hold the event each year. According to Martin, “We want to let the families know, and the law enforcement community, that we never forget the fallen officers. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. A lot of these officers die at a young age.”

TYLER — A Tyler man was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday night. It happened at the La Quinta on the city’s Southwest Loop. Police tell KETK the armed woman was reportedly hired by the man through an escort service. She’s still on the loose.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man and woman will stand trial in connection with a dog found frozen in January. The Longview News-Journal reports Patrick Allen Johnson, 28 and Melissa Dennis, 32, were arrested in February on charges of animal cruelty. Authorities found the pit bull January 7 after it had been chained to a tree and left outside overnight in below freezing temperatures. Dennis’s trial is set for May 19, Johnson’s trial for June 23.

HENDERSON — An East Texas native and Corporal in the United States Marine Corps passed away Sunday. According to Major Pamela Marshall, Cpl. Trey Jablonowski, Henderson, was found in his barracks room in Kanaoe, Hawaii, unresponsive. The death of Jablonowski, who had served in Afghanistan and South Korea, is under investigation and could take 30 days or longer to complete. Continue reading East Texas Marine Dies in Hawaii

TYLER – A woman has been injured in a Tyler shooting. It happened around 3:45 yesterday afternoon during a family disturbance at 1004 West Trezevant. Arrested was Terral Deshon Carter. 23. Investigators say Carter apparently pulled out a small handgun and began shooting rounds at the floor. One of the rounds ricocheted and struck a woman’s right knee. She sustained non-life threatening injuries. At the same time, a small child was standing near where the bullets were hitting the floor. The youngster was not hit. Carter is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and placing a child in imminent danger.

LONGVIEW – Next Monday, Longview Police will promote Sgt. Laura Samples to the rank of Lieutenant. Sgt. Samples will be the first female who will serve as a Lieutenant in the Police Department. Sergeant Laura Samples began working for the City of Longview in June of 2000 in the Environmental Health Deptment. She joined the Longview Police Department in November of 2001. During her time with the department she has served as a patrol officer, bicycle officer, field training officer, and has served on the Academy Advisory Board, Awards Board, and Applicant Interview Board. Sgt. Samples is also a TCOLE Instructor. Continue reading Longview Police to Promote First Female Lieutenant

TYLER — Mother Frances Hospital announced Wednesday that one of its patients, 7-year-old Will Butts, has been named the 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion ambassador for the state of Texas. The honor is presented by Delta Air Lines, Marriott International, and Chico’s FAS. Officials say throughout this year, Will and his family will serve as local, state, and national spokespeople, advocating for the charitable need at children’s hospitals across North America. Continue reading Mother Frances Patient Named Texas Champion Ambassador for CMN Hospitals

TYLER — A Tyler jury has returned a verdict of 10 years in prison after hearing evidence in the case of the State of Texas vs. Jeffery Wright. Wright, 34, was charged with possession of cocaine in a quantity of less than one gram at the Lone Star Inn on West Gentry Parkway last November. The arrest was made by the Tyler Police Department after investigation of a complaint made against Wright by another occupant of the motel. According to the Smith County DA’s Office, jurors deliberated for less than 20 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty. They later sentenced Wright to the maximum prison term after hearing evidence that Wright was a five-time convicted felon.

TYLER – A 40-year-old Quitman man has been sentenced to prison for federal violations in east Texas. Daniel Huffman, also known as Steven Ball, pleaded guilty February 10 to making a false statement on a loan application. He was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Huffman was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $196,028.52. According to information presented in court, on January 23, 2012, Huffman applied for a mortgage loan under the false name of Steven Ball. Huffman was indicted by a federal grand jury last October and charged with federal violations.

HOUSTON (AP) – The state’s top criminal appeals court has agreed to review whether a former East Texas nurse was properly convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole for killing five dialysis patients by injecting them with bleach. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said Wednesday it will consider written arguments on whether the jury instructions at Kimberly Saenz’s 2012 trial failed to require a unanimous agreement on which individuals Saenz killed at a clinic in Lufkin. Saenz’s attorneys argue a jury must unanimously agree on the identity and the number of murder victims to support the capital murder charge. A lower appeals court earlier this year upheld her conviction and sentence. The Court of Criminal Appeals ultimately could order a new trial for Saenz.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – Investigators say an East Texas man has died after apparently being struck by lightning while outside his home. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim as Hank Wiederhold, 60, of Nacogdoches. Sheriff Jason Bridges says Widerhold’s body was discovered last Friday in his backyard near a tree. The victim had a burn mark on his midsection. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom prior to Wiederhold being found dead.

Tyler ISD announced the 2014 Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet held Tuesday night at the Harvey Convention Center. The District honored Campus Teachers of the Year before naming Beverly McRae as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Jennifer Sheffield as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Ms. McRae is the reading intervention teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade at Owens Elementary School and believes that the greatest blessing of her teaching career has been the students who have given her abundant joy through their smiles, laughter, and fun. According to McRae, “I am just so proud to be a teacher. I have loved teaching my entire career. And it’s really a tribute to the students who have given me love, and I have felt every moment of their love.” She said, “It isn’t a career, it is my life calling.” Continue reading Tyler’s Teachers of the Year Named

WASKOM — A boy reported missing in Harrison County has been found safe. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office had asked for the public’s assistance in locating Chance Coleson, 17. They report he was found several hours after going missing, and they thank the public for its assistance. The teen is diagnosed as mildly autistic and wandered from his home in Waskom. His mother stated he had wandered previously and was located in Greenwood, Louisiana. The family is in this area while on a work assignment and staying in an RV park on I-20 in Waskom. The family home is in Vinton, Louisiana.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority has decided to raise speed limits on Tyler’s Toll Loop 49 will rise to 75 mph from Texas 155 to Interstate 20. Authority Director Everett Owen said, “It won’t be effective till we get the signs made and posted.” That will probably occur in a matter of weeks. Owen citing driver complaints of getting stuck behind slow moving vehicles on the one-lane highway, also set minimum speeds 10mph lower for that segment and from Texas 110 to Texas 155.

TYLER — Dr. Kouider Mokhtari has received the 2014 John C. Manning Public School Service Award from the International Reading Association. Mokhtari serves as the Anderson-Vukelja-Wright Endowed Professor of Education within the UT Tyler School of Education and chair of the Tyler Area Partnership for Literacy. “I’m honored to be recognized by students, public school leaders and literacy professionals for the work I have done to promote and support literacy at the university school and community levels,” Mokhtari said. “I am also honored to join a prestigious group of international literacy experts who have contributed in meaningful and significant ways to advancing literacy within schools and communities around the world.” Continue reading UT Tyler Education Professor Earns International Service Award

TYLER — BBB has received reports from consumers regarding a recent telephone scam. Individuals are being contacted by telephone under the pretense that the callers are attempting to collect money for hot checks which were written several years ago. Residents are further advised that if they do not wire money (hundreds to thousands of dollars) to a provided account number, law enforcement will come out and arrest them in the upcoming days. The callers are purportedly calling from 866 area codes and indicate they are a collection firm representing the Hot Check Division of various District Attorneys’ offices. Law enforcement may make a courtesy call to notify that a claim has been made, said Andy Dunklin, Constable with Precinct 2 of Smith County. “They may collect fines, however, they will never collect the amount of the hot check.” Continue reading Residents Warned about Telephone Scam

LONGVIEW — A dog who was recently treated in Tyler for an embedded collar has been adopted on the eve of his euthanization, according to an official with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas. Our news partner KETK reports Nickolas’s new home will be south of Nacogdoches. According to the The Humane Society, Nickolas was in danger of being euthanized after not being fostered or adopted. Officials say the Humane Society shelter is full due to the storms from Monday night, and until late Tuesday afternoon, Nickolas had yet to be adopted or fostered to keep him out of the shelter. Nickolas was scheduled to be euthanized at noon Tuesday, but after a call from KETK, the euthanization was put on hold until 8:00 this morning. Now it won’t be necessary at all.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is attempting to locate a critical missing adult identified as Barbara Wooten. She is a black female, age 55, who stands 5’5″ tall, weighs140 pounds and wears glasses. Wooten was reported missing on May 5, 2014 by a family member. Wooten was last observed at her residence located at 310 Fairway Avenue in Tyler. Investigators have been told that she is diagnosed with a mental disorder and no foul play is suspected at this time. Wooten’s vehicle was found in her garage and her residence secured. If you have any information about her whereabouts please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

WASKOM — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Chance Coleson, 17. According to KETK, he is diagnosed as mildly autistic and wandered from his home in Waskom. Coleson is described by his mother as 5’8”, 170 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. His mother stated he had wandered previously and was located in Greenwood, Louisiana. Continue reading Harrison County Authorities Searching for Autistic Teen

TYLER — The man found guilty of killing Chapel Hill native Christopher Mass in the Tyler mall parking lot has been sentenced to life in prison by a Smith County jury. Ricky Neal Jr. was found guilty of murder on May 7. He will be up for parole in 30 years, according to Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham. The verdict stems from the shooting death of Mass on February 9, 2013. In addition to the murder charge, authorities placed an additional charge against Neal after police determined he shot at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, of Tyler. The aggravated assault charge will be tried separately. Continue reading Mall Parking Lot Shooter Gets Life in Prison

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass is leaving office after serving the maximum three two-year terms. She is the city’s first female mayor, elected in May of 2008. She’s been very active in the community since moving to Tyler in the 70s. Bass told KETK, “It has just been a tremendous place to live, to get engaged. You meet the other people who care about Tyler that are out there trying to do the same thing — and it’s just been a fabulous journey.” Mayor-elect Martin Heines will be sworn in March 21st.

CHAPEL HILL – Sheriff Larry Smith will hold a town hall meeting tonight from 6:00 until 7:30 at the Chapel Hill High School Cafeteria, located on Highway 64 East. The town hall meeting will be his seventh since taking office in January of 2013. Four were held last year and two so far this year, in Whitehouse and Lindale. Smith said a town hall meeting is also scheduled for May 22 at the New Harmony Community Center.

LUFKIN (AP) – NRG Energy Services has been granted the right to operate the Aspen Power biomass power plant in East Texas for at least a year while the unit is marketed to potential buyers. The Lufkin Daily News reports Monday’s court ruling means the facility in Lufkin could reopen within a month. The Aspen Power plant was marketed as the state’s first wood-waste biomass electricity generation facility. The 57-megawatt power plant opened in 2011 but has been idle since August 2012 amid challenging market conditions. Michael Fisco represents U.S. Bank, the trustee for the $53 million in bonds owed by Aspen Power. Fisco told a judge that granting management rights to Houston-based NRG and restarting the plant would increase its value and take advantage of an improved electricity market.