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SMITH COUNTY — Smith County DPS says one person is dead and three are injured after a Thursday morning wreck. KETK reports 41-year-old Jodie Lyne Phillips was killed in the head on collision involving a car and truck. Ms. Phillips was in the car, driven by Lance David Phillips, 26. The car was heading southbound on 279 when it drove into a truck head-on. DPS says the driver of the truck, 45-year-old Alvardo Bernardo of Ben Wheeler, and a passenger, Bernardo’s 10-year-old son, were treated for minor injuries on scene. Mr. Phillips was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Updates on his injuries had not been released at last report.

HOUSTON – S4 Communications of Houston says it’s eager to begin operations at its new call center in Longview this month. With two existing centers in Houston, S4’s newest location has 200 work stations and is located on E. Cotton in Longview. S4 Communications in Longview will provide inbound and outbound telemarketing services to current Fortune 100 clients. It will also offer back-office processing services for electricity and telephone connection orders. “East Texas offers not only an educated workforce but also a well-developed work force,” stated Sean Collins, President of S4 Communications. “We are excited to be in Longview and look forward to many years of prosperity and growth in this area.” Continue reading New Call Center Coming to Longview

TYLER — During the recent Click It or Ticket enforcement program, officers with the Tyler Police Department working specifically on this initiative wrote a total of 104 citations for seatbelt violations and 2 citations for child safety seat violations. The program was conducted during the Memorial Day holiday period. Continue reading Click It or Ticket Results

TYLER — ETMC Tyler is being recognized in U.S. News and World Report magazine as a 2013 gold plus achievement award winner for the treatment of stroke patients. Presented by the American Heart Association, the award will be featured in the August issue of the publication. Listed hospitals have successfully utilized the AHA’s “Get with the Guidelines” program for coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. ETMC was recognized in the stroke category for 24 months of 75 percent or higher adherence on select quality measures in addition to at least 24 months of 85 percent or higher adherence on all achievement measures for stroke. Continue reading ETMC Tyler Receives National Recognition for Treatment of Stroke Patients

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have arrested two 16-year-old juveniles in connection to the death of Joshua Robert McGill. The juveniles were arrested at the Tyler Police Department around 1:45 p.m. Thursday and charged with Capital Murder. The two were to be warned by a magistrate and then transported to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Police didn’t immediately offer details on how the juveniles were allegedly involved in the crime. Continue reading Two Juveniles Arrested in Fatal Shooting

TYLER — A rain-slick road was a factor as a van flipped over and damaged a vehicle at an auto dealership on Tyler’s west side Thursday. Fire officials tell KETK the driver of the van was traveling down Walton Road, which is known to be extremely slick when it rains. As the driver approached Loop 323, he tried to stop and slid off the road. The van then jumped the curb, hitting a truck in the Tyler Ford parking lot, and flipped over. The driver was shaken up, but not injured.

LONGVIEW — With the end of the school year and summer just around the corner, Longview Police want to encourage citizens to be watchful for illegal activity. This can include anything from a suspicious person walking around the neighborhood checking doors or mailboxes, door to door sales people that do not have a City permit to sell, or cars cruising through neighborhoods at odd times of the day or night. This week alone, Longview Police investigated at least two residential burglaries and numerous vehicle burglaries. One of these burglaries involved the suspect breaking a window of the home only to find a homeowner’s startled child. Continue reading Police Encourage Citizens to Report Suspicious Activity

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man is now in fair condition after he was reportedly shot by his daughter Sunday morning. According to KETK, investigators say 52-year-old Carlos Warren of Longview was shot three times by 24-year-old Tabetha Christian Evans. She’s currently in the Gregg County Jail.

MARSHALL — Bonds were set at $50,000 each for the two men indicted in the 2009 murder of a Hallsville man. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Thomas Richardson Jr. (pictured) of Tyler and Harley Blake Vaughn of Harleton were arraigned in Marshall’s 71st District Court for the slaying of Bobby Joe Inzer. Rick Hagan, special prosecutor appointed in the case, said pretrial hearings for both have not been set yet. “We’ll work on that, but probably (they) won’t happen until sometime in August,” Hagan said Wednesday, noting a trial date has not been scheduled, either. Continue reading Bonds Set in Hallsville Man’s 2009 Slaying

MARSHALL — 36-year-old Marvin Silmon of Harrison County was arrested last week, and has been charged with seven counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Sheriff Tom McCool says Silmon confessed to all seven counts in the case, which involved a six-year-old. McCool says the man is a registered sex offender. According to the DPS Sex Offender Registry, Silmon was sentenced in 2005 to five years in prison for the sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl. He was released from TDCJ with no restrictions from the parole board and was current on his sex offender registration.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith releases more information and comments after 69-year-old Anthony Joseph Miller is charged with murder. Sheriff Smith now says Miller, a Smith County resident, was apparently the only person involved in the death of Adam Palacios on County Road 35 in Tyler. Palacios’s body was found in a field in Anderson County in September 2012. Smith County Sheriff’s Office detectives and other officers arrested Miller on June 3 after new information was gathered regarding Palacios’s death. Sheriff Smith also points out that he campaigned on trying to fight the drug problem in Smith County — and he says the Miller case was drug-related. The sheriff says you’ll soon be seeing more criminal investigation division officers on the street, along with more narcotics officers.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a husband and wife from Flint Tuesday night in the parking lot of a sporting goods store, Porter’s Fishing, on Highway 155 in Dogwood City. Authorities say the arrests could lead to solving a number of Smith County burglaries and thefts. 25-year-old Jon Grig Kincheloe III was charged with burglary of a building relating to items taken on May 30 from Breckenridge Village on County Road 1145. His wife, 27-year-old Jacqueline Kincheloe, was charged with theft of property. KETK reports the case involves about $36,000 worth of various lawn equipment. Continue reading Arrests Made in Breckenridge Village Lawn Equipment Robbery

LONGVIEW — Longview’s Hollybrook Drive will be closed for construction between Eastman and Loop 281 beginning Monday, June 10. The purpose of the project is to widen the section of road from two lanes to four lanes. The construction is scheduled for one year. As construction progresses, portions will be opened to traffic. Drivers wishing to travel between Eastman and Loop 281 must use alternate routes. Tryon Road will remain open; however, expect some delays at the Tryon and Hollybrook intersection. The intersection of Mohawk and Hollybrook will be closed. Continue reading Hollybrook Drive Closed to Through Traffic Starting Next Week

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request your assistance in a case involving a stolen trailer. On the night of May 27th, an unknown person or people took a cooling trailer from an oil lease in north Gregg County near FM 2751. It is a black 16’ flatbed, dual axle trailer with a silver metal canopy covering the entire length. A white plastic water tank and a large fan are on the front of the trailer. Oilfield employees sit on benches inside to cool down on hot days. Continue reading Authorities Seek Stolen Trailer

TYLER — Carmike Cinemas in Tyler will no longer allow CHL holders to carry firearms in their theater. According to KETK, Carmike theaters across the country have the same policy because of the Aurora Colorado massacre. Under Texas Law, CHL holders can carry a concealed handgun almost anywhere, including movie theaters. Times Square Cinema in Tyler allows CHL holders to carry in their theater. Continue reading Local Movie Theater Will Not Allow Guns In Facility

MARSHALL — Former Harrison County sheriff’s deputy Huey “Eddie” Nichols Jr. and his wife, Sharon — a former deputy county clerk — will go on trial in July on charges of sexual indecency with a child. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the pair were first arrested in 2011 for the alleged sex crimes against children. A gag order was issued in the cases, silencing prosecutors and defense attorneys from talking about the case. 188th District Judge David Brabham will serve as presiding judge after 71st District Judge Brad Morin recused himself. Eddie Nichols’ trial has been set July 8. Sharon Nichols is scheduled to go on trial the week of July 22. Morin recused himself saying he once represented Sharon Nichols’s ex-husband in a custody battle. Continue reading Gag Order Issued in Sex Trial of Former Deputy, Wife

GLADEWATER — The last of the missing vehicles taken during a theft at a Gladewater funeral home have been found. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Gladewater Police Sgt. David Burrows said a 2003 white Cadillac Escalade and a 2005 white Ford Expedition were found on an oil lease off Shell Camp Road in Gladewater. The Expedition was intact, but Burrows said the Escalade had been set on fire and destroyed. The cars recovered Tuesday morning are two of the four vehicles stolen sometime after 8 p.m. Sunday from the Dearion & Davis Funeral Parlor in the 900 block of East Broadway Avenue. Continue reading Remaining Funeral Home Vehicles Found after Being Stolen

AUSTIN — An East Texas DPS agent was among several recipients of honors handed out by the department Tuesday. His actions occurred both in his home area and in West the day of the major explosion there. KETK reports Agent Darren Lubbe, Criminal Investigations Division in Mount Pleasant, received a Life Saving Award and Director’s Citation. The Life Saving Award was for saving the life of a crash victim on Jan. 10 in Titus County. Officials say Lubbe witnessed a major collision in front of him while traveling on Highway 271 and stopped to render aid. He freed the victim from the vehicle and recognized the victim’s compound tibia fracture as a life-threatening injury. Lubbe applied a tourniquet to the leg of the victim, who was later transported by helicopter to a major trauma center.
Continue reading East Texas DPS Agent Honored

TYLER — A new development will bring many new businesses to Tyler next year. The Village at Cumberland Park will be located on South Broadway, near Loop 49, adjacent to Gander Mountain. David Wilson with The Retail Connection, the developing company, tells KETK that the park will be more than 700,000 square feet and could be home to more than 100 businesses. The site plan is a horseshoe shape, with businesses wrapping around some interior structures, which will house some specialty stores. Continue reading Planned Development to Bring New Businesses to Tyler

MARSHALL — A Marshall teen reported missing last Friday has been located and returned home safely. KETK reports the Marshall Police Department had been searching for Tysha Darna Adkins, who’d last been seen by her mother on Friday at their home in the 500 block of University Avenue. Further details on Tysha’s return weren’t immediately available.

TYLER – Tyler ISD recently concluded a Site-Level Climate Survey to hear how staff, students and parents feel about a host of issues including academic preparation, student support, school leadership, faculty relations and support, parent engagement, safety and behavior, and school operations. “The surveys are one way the District is engaging in ongoing, candid conversations to help our students reach their full academic potential,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring said. “The survey provides Tyler ISD with a baseline which we will build upon as we continue reaching out to our community on an annual basis.” Continue reading Tyler ISD Releases Climate Survey Results

LONGVIEW — Longview officials are looking for two suspects in a recent burglary in the parking lot of the Institute for Healthy Living, 3133 Good Shepherd Way. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, police said Tuesday that three vehicles were burglarized between 6:21 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on May 8. Within 15 minutes, two men were caught by a surveillance camera using three different victims’ credit cards at Wal-Mart on 4th St. and Gilmer Rd., Best Buy and Bed, Bath and Beyond totaling $5,000. Continue reading Suspects Sought in Burglary/Credit Card Fraud

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects in a stolen credit card case. KETK reports that on May 20, after 10:00 p.m., unknown suspects burglarized a victim’s vehicle in the area of the 400 Block of Glenhaven Drive. The victim’s red women’s wallet was taken which contained several credit cards and other personal information and items. The victim’s credit cards were then used at numerous locations around Longview and Tyler. You’re asked to contact police if you have any information.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham Tuesday presented seven Dodge Chargers to Sheriff Larry Smith for use by the Sheriff’s Office. It happened Tuesday at a news conference at the Smith County Emergency Operations Center on Spur 248. The vehicles had been in use by the DA’s office and are being put back on the road for use in the Criminal Investigation and Patrol Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. “These vehicles have served the DA’s office well and still have a lot of life in them, so I am happy that Sheriff Smith has accepted our offer to continue using them to help prevent and solve crimes,” said Matt Bingham. Continue reading Smith County DA Donates Seven Vehicles to Sheriff’s Office

TYLER — A Tyler ISD middle school student was arrested Monday for bringing a weapon onto the campus of Hogg Middle School. The weapon was confiscated by Tyler PD and no students were harmed. Officials said it did not appear that the student brought the firearm on campus to threaten students or staff. The incident is under investigation.

TYLER — A report of shots fired turned into a homicide investigation. It happened Monday night around 9:45 at the Kensington Apartments at 4400 Paluxy. According to Tyler Police, the victim, Joshua McGill, 21, of Whitehouse, was found in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his back. He was taken to ETMC Tyler where he was pronounced dead. So far, no arrests have been made and investigators are attempting to piece together the events that led to the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police or Crimestoppers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert suggests “breaking up the IRS and getting rid of it.” According to KETK, Gohmert is fed up with reports about how the agency has allegedly abused taxpayer funding. Appearing on former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s radio show, Gohmert pointed to reports that the IRS spent $4 million on attendees at a conference. Gohmert wondered aloud how anyone could have faith in the agency.

TYLER — State Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples stopped at UT Tyler Monday for a signing of his new book, “Broken Borders, Broken Promises.” Staples tells KETK his book explains the importance of securing the Texas border from drug dealers and human smugglers — and he wants the Obama administration to take action. One key suggestion: “using surplus military equipment that American taxpayers have already paid for and deploying those assets to help our law enforcement that are on the border today.”

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County officials are searching for the owners of a horse that was found on the roadside on the 200 block of McCarver St. near Longview. KETK reports it was found without food and water, was slightly emaciated, and had some bones showing very prominently. It reportedly escaped from a pen on Friday evening. Safe Haven Rescue Mission will evaluate the horse and care for him. If you have any information, you’re asked to contact Gregg County authorities.

LONGVIEW — A Longview retailer has been cited for allegedly selling alcohol to a minor. On Thursday, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Longview Partners in Prevention, conducted off-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. 20 different alcohol retailers were checked by the undercover team. Police say the location that sold to the minor was at 611 E. Marshall Ave. The individual who allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minor was listed in an offense report for “making alcohol available to a minor.” That’s a class A misdemeanor, and authorities say the report will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued an administrative citation to the business.