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TYLER — Smith County Commissioners Tuesday approved engaging the services of HDR Architecture Inc. to conduct a District Courts Feasibility Study for optional strategies to accommodate renovated or new space for the Smith County District Courts. “The last piece of the 2008 Master Plan was to address the Smith County Courthouse and court system space,” County Judge Joel Baker (pictured) said. “That is what this study will do.” The focus of the study is to determine the viability for renovating the existing Carlton Building (the former Smith County Office Building) and associated parking garage to house the District Courts. The study will also estimate the cost for constructing a new facility, according to a county news release. Continue reading Smith County Courts Study Approved

TYLER – Officials with UT Health Northeast announced that respected physician Dr. Paul McGaha has joined the administrative team as associate professor of community health and preventive medicine and as deputy director of The Center for Rural Community Health. Since 1988, Dr. McGaha served the citizens of northeast Texas through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). He began his career with DSHS as public health physician and then beginning in 1995, as regional medical director for Health Service Region 4/5 North. He also concurrently served DSHS in Austin, TX as acting assistant commissioner of the Division for Regional and Local Health Services in 2012-13. Continue reading Dr. Paul McGaha Joins UT Health Northeast

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department is continuing the investigation into an incident that left a five-year-old child in serious condition. According to KETK, On March 29, shortly before 9:00 p.m, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Victory Street, after receiving a report of a child being hit by a vehicle. Police arrived and found the child had been taken by his father to Palestine Regional Medical Center in a private vehicle for treatment. Continue reading Man Accused of Hitting Child with Vehicle, Leaving Scene

MARSHALL — The Marshall Fire Department is investigating an arson that occurred Sunday in a prayer room at St. Joseph Catholic Church. That’s according to KETK and the Marshall News-Messenger. Fire Chief Reggie Cooper reports minor fire damage to a prayer room. Father Denzil Vithanage, pastor of the church, said there was damage done to the window of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament chapel, where parishioners come to pray and receive Holy Communion. He said during the incident, the suspect or suspects stole communion bread, part of the Eucharist, representing the body of Christ. Vithanage said the suspect or suspects burned the tabernacle window in order to get the sacrament. Vithanage said the incident occurred between noon and 2 p.m. Sunday when he was in the course of his midday prayer during the Hispanic mass service.

TYLER — Moderate fire damage and minor smoke damage were sustained in a Tyler house fire. The Tyler Fire Department was dispatched to 1716 E. Gentry after the initial call was received shortly before 5:30 Monday afternoon. The first arriving units reported active fire in the residence and immediately sounded a second alarm. Five engines and one ladder company, along with a district chief, responded to the scene. Continue reading Tyler Firefighters Respond to House Blaze

TYLER — A Smith County traffic stop has led to two arrests, with multiple charged filed. On Monday at approximately 7 p.m., a Smith County Sheriff’s K-9 deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop near the intersection of Hwy 64 West and Cotton Road, according to officials. Authorities say that as the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver accelerated and quickly pulled into a residence on Gentry Street. Officials say both occupants tried to exit the vehicle and enter a residence at this location. The deputy was able to detain both occupants and wait for assistance. Continue reading Suspects in Custody After Traffic Stop

HARRISON COUNTY — An East Texas man has been charged with solicitation of a minor, among other charges, after an online sting. Stephen C. Fuentez, 46, Waskom, could serve up to 70 years in prison and could be fined up to $75,000. According to KETK, Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit Detectives and members of the Northwest Louisiana ICAC Task Force initiated an undercover online investigation on an individual who posted a suggestive ad online. Continue reading East Texan Charged with Online Solicitation of Minor

KILGORE — Kilgore College has received letters from both the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which exonerate the college of all wrongdoing related to the asbestos allegations made in November to the Longview News-Journal. The allegations were made by Dalton Smith, KC’s coordinator of physical plant. Both agencies have closed their investigations and the college is not required to provide any further documentation. Neither agency found any basis of fact that supported the allegation that KCstudents, staff or the public were ever in danger due to asbestos exposure. Both agencies also found no basis of fact to support improper abatement or disposal of asbestos materials on any KC property. Continue reading KC Exonerated from All Asbestos Allegations

TYLER — UT Tyler Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Sterken, Jr. has been named a Fulbright Scholar. Created in 1946, the Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative that awards grants to American scholars each year to teach or conduct research in the more than 125 participatory nations throughout the world. “Professor Sterken’s achievement is extraordinary and is consistent with his many professional accomplishments,” said Dr. Martin Slann, The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences dean. “Recipients of the Fulbright Scholarship are among an academic elite who receive this prestigious recognition for their impressive teaching and research credentials.” At the same time, Professor Sterken will represent this genuinely great university in a southeast Asian country that will welcome and benefit from his expertise and knowledge.” Continue reading U-T Tyler Professor Named Fulbright Scholar

ATHENS — Authorities say a two-month-long investigation into an identity theft and forgery ring resulted in the arrest of three people Thursday in eastern Henderson County. According to KETK, after hearing from a victim in early February, authorities say they uncovered incidents in Tyler, Canton, Chandler, and the DFW area. Brandon Holloway, 27, of Arlington, is accused of operating the ID theft and forgery ring. He was arrested for fraudulent use/possession of identifying information as well as a parole warrant for a previous ID theft conviction. Brandon L. Lee, 27, of Brownsboro, was arrested for a weapons-related warrant from Ohio. Brandon Holloway’s wife, Steffanie L. Holloway, 37, of Arlington, was arrested for a parole warrant stemming from a previous arson conviction. Continue reading Officials: Wide-Ranging ID Theft/Forgery Ring Busted in East Texas

GORDONVILLE (AP/STAFF) — Two people remain hospitalized after a small plane flying out of Tyler crashed into a North Texas home, leaving four people injured. According to KETK, those on board at the time of the crash were Robert Gentry, 61, of Tyler; 51-year-old Karen Christian; Gentry’s daughter, Annie, 14; and Colin Howell, 17. The plane, which was registered to Robert Gentry, left from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport just before 12:30 Sunday afternoon, en route to the Gordonville, Texas, airport. Continue reading Two People Remain Hospitalized Following Plane Crash

HUDSON (AP) — A 73-year-old man has died in a mobile home fire in Angelina County. Authorities pronounced Ed Clark dead at the scene of the early Monday fire in Hudson, located just west of Lufkin. Hudson Fire Marshal Joe Burton tells The Lufkin News that the fire remains under investigation. He says the point of origin though appears to be around a gas heater installed in the living room. He says the victim was known to wear oxygen and he feels that the oxygen tubing might have gotten around the heater’s pilot lighting. Next door neighbor Walter Ginn said neighbors tried to rescue Clark before firefighters arrived, but as they made the attempt after seeing him lying on the floor near the front door, something exploded.

EMORY — Rains County Attorney Robert F. Vititow reports Brandon Couch has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for murdering his grandmother on November 14, 2012. According to KETK, the sentence was handed down by Judge Paul Banner, the fourth judge assigned to the case. Couch had opted to have the judge impose the sentence after the jury returned a guilty verdict. Continue reading Man Gets 40 Years in Prison for Murder

TYLER — Following jury selection Monday, trial proceedings for an East Texas grandmother are slated to begin today in Tyler. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on the night of July 31, Glynda Denise Morrow, 54, Chandler, was driving on County Road 1113, also known as Lake Placid Road, in Smith County with her 5-year-old granddaughter. According to accident reports, Morrow’s SUV ran off the road and hit a tree. Both Morrow and her granddaughter, Lydia Sykes, were taken to the hospital. The child later died from her injuries. According to KETK, Morrow’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was over the state’s legal limit of .08.

LONGVIEW — Money is being raised so a 5-year-old Longview boy can be treated in Colorado with cannaboid oil, which comes from marijuana. Rachel Johnson says little Lleyton has up to 30 seizures a day and the plan is to move there for a 30 day trial period. Her family needs eight thousand dollars. She doesn’t want to have to move away for good. There are stories of numerous kids, like Lleyton, who are doing well with the treatment. A bill in front of the state legislature would legalize a weak form of cannaboid oil, which Johnson says may not be strong enough to help her son.

LONGVIEW – A Longview home has been damaged when hit by a pickup. The accident occurred Saturday night near the intersection of Oakdale and 12th streets. Firefighters had to remove the driver from the pickup. Longview police have not released the driver’s name or condition. It marks the second time a vehicle has hit that home.

TYLER — The annual Smith County-Wide Clean Up began Monday and runs through May 2nd. Smith County citizens can pick up vouchers to take 3 cubic yards of solid waste, which fills the bed of a regular sized pickup, and/or bulk items to be disposed of at the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. Vouchers are available at the Smith County Annex Building, 200 East Ferguson, or at any Smith County Constable or Justice of the Peace Office. The vouchers will be good for 6:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday and 6:30am to noon on Saturday, March 30 through May 2, 2015. The Greenwood Farms Landfill is at 12920 Farm-to-Market Road 2767, or Old Kilgore Highway, in Tyler. Maps to the landfill will be handed out with the vouchers. Continue reading Time for Smith County-Wide Clean Up

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 30. Schedules are subject to change due to weather or equipment related issues.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler are performing base repairs on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp with the roadway reduced to one travel lane and flaggers conducting traffic. The same work is being conducted on Farm Road 2015 from Farm Road 16 to Farm Road 14 Expect lane closures. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER – Multiple vehicle burglaries may have been solved with the arrest of three suspects. The burglaries were first reported in the Flint area earlier this month. Charged with theft over $1,500 and under $20,000 are Tyrell Deshaun Choice and Triston Travon Hudson. Charged with credit/debit card abuse is Ahteuhna Taylor.(pictured) All three are from Tyler. Bonds on each were set at $500,000. Continue reading Arrests Made in Smith County Burglary Ring

SMITH COUNTY — An early morning house fire claimed the lives of an elderly couple and their five pets. They’ve been identified as Robert Rockett, 71, and his wife, Debbie, 67. The fire started around 6:00 Saturday morning in the 11200 block of County Road 2206, near Chapel Hill. According to KETK, investigators said the blaze started in the kitchen. The officials cause of the fire has not been determined.

LONGVIEW – Faulty wires are said to be the cause of a Longview fire that has displaced five persons. The fire was reported just before 1:45 Friday morning in the 400 block of Pine Street. The blaze, which had been burning undetected for some time, started in a wall between two bedrooms. It then spread to the attic. No injuries were reported. The home apparently had no working smoke detectors.

TYLER — A Child Protective Services case against an East Texas father whose daughter died after being locked in a hot car last summer has been dropped. According to Shari Pulliam, Public Information Officer for CPS, Russel Lindstrom will no longer have to submit to testing or evaluations by CPS because Lindstrom’s wife and younger daughter, Zoey, moved out of state. According to KETK, Pulliam says because the child no longer resides in Texas, they no longer have a child to protect. Continue reading Court Dropped CPS Case Against Smith County Father

TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to prison for murder. Pleading guilty Friday was Katyron Jermaine Barrett, 29. After pleading guilty to the shooting death of Brandon Deroyce Grey, 30, Barrett was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Grey was shot December 21, 2014, at the Wild Bunch Club, 1714 North Palace. He later died at Mother Frances Hospital. Barrett was arrested in the case two days later.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man accused of fatally shooting his wife in February has been indicted by the Angelina County Grand Jury. Named this week in the indictment is Joshua Dale Ingram, 31. Acting on a tip from the suspect’s mother in California, the body of Jessica Ingram, 29, was found in a home on the 400 block of Cunningham Drive. Also found in the home was a three month old baby, who was not harmed. His mother told officers he told her he had shot his wife and was planning on shooting himself. After a three hour search for the suspect, he was found and arrested on Frank Street.

TYLER — The Junior League of Tyler’s inaugural ‘Touch a Truck’ event is scheduled for Saturday. The event will feature big-rigs, tricked out monster trucks, emergency vehicles and much more. Keeping with the name, guests will have full access to these vehicles. Community leaders will be on hand and the emphasis is on the kids. Touch a Truck starts at 10:00 tomorrow morning and runs until 4:00. It’s being held in the south parking lot of Broadway Square Mall (by Sears) and tickets are $5 each or $25 per family.

TYLER – Could there be a run for the White House in Congressman Louie Gohmert’s future? KETK reports The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper, asked Gohmert if he would endorse Ted Cruz’s presidential bid. The Tyler Congressman told the paper, “Ted is a good friend and would be an outstanding president; however, I haven’t ruled out an exploratory committee myself.” Later Thursday, an aide told the Texas Tribune that Gohmert was not entirely serious. “Washington D.C. contains too many who do not recognize statements made with a figurative tongue in cheek, sometimes known as being ironic,” the aide emailed to the Texas Tribune. Earlier this year, Gohmert went up against House Speaker John Boehner. Gohmert received only three votes.

KILGORE – If you’re looking for passage of bills in Austin legalizing marijuana in Texas, you may be disappointed. That’s the word from Governor Gregg Abbott who was in East Texas last night to speak at the Rusk County Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner. There are several marijuana related bills in the legislature, but Abbott said the legalization of marijuana in this session is highly unlikely. Texting and driving is another issue Abbott is following closely. According to KETK, the governor said he wants to ensure there are no more injuries, deaths or accidents due to texting and driving. And he added, “We need to find the right space between keeping people safe on the road and government micro-managing what people do. My concerns are we going to have laws that prohibit people from eating French fries as they drive down the roadway or where does the law end?” Abbott said he is still looking for clarity on how to draw that line.

MARSHALL – A Harrison County grand jury has indicted a Longview man for sexual assault of a child. Indicted on three counts was Edwin Craig Volcik, 45. Following a lengthy investigation, which was led by federal officials, Volcik was arrested in January at his home on Quail Lane. The Longview News Journal reports it began with an investigation of child pornography, but turned into something more. Investigators believed some of the children had been sexually assaulted.

HOUSTON (AP) — A celebrity booking agency is saying it’s not all right, all right, all right to make public how much the University of Houston is paying actor Matthew McConaughey, a former Longview resident, to speak at the school’s May commencement ceremony. The university has declined to release the information because its contract with Celebrity Talent International includes a confidentiality clause. The school asked the Texas attorney general’s office to issue an opinion on whether such information can be kept private. The Houston Chronicle reports Celebrity Talent International President Glenn Richardson sent a March 9 letter to the attorney general’s office, saying payment and other details in McConaughey’s contract are a trade secret. Richardson also wrote that a reporter could use the information to create “unfair negatives online and take things out of context.”

SULPHUR SPRINGS — A Tyler man allegedly attempting to have sex with a child was arrested late Wednesday in Sulphur Springs. According to KETK, Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders said Joshua Strickland, 30, was taken into custody on suspicion of solicitation of a child for sexual conduct and possession of a controlled substance. Strickland is accused of planning the meetup via a Craigslist ad, but in reality, the suspect was talking to an internet crimes against children officer posing as a 15-year-old girl, according to police. Continue reading Sulphur Springs Police: Tyler Man Tries to Have Sex with Child via Ad