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TYLER — A combined task force of federal, state and local law officers have arrested 18 persons in Gregg and Upshur Counties. They executed federal arrest warrants following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in East Texas. Two suspects remain at large. The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Drug Administration, Gregg County CODE Unit, Longview Police Department, and Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading 18 East Texans Arrested on Drug Allegations

TYLER — The Smith County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Thursday donated four Taser Axon body-worn cameras to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office in honor of late Fire Marshal Jim Seaton (pictured). ‘These cameras will be used to provide a more detailed and unbiased documentation our fire scenes as well as offer protection to our officers and the public, said Fire Marshal Jay Brooks. “We are so thankful for the donation and the partnership we have with all of our area firefighters.

The Smith County Volunteer Fireman’s Association is made up of area firefighters who serve Smith County residents outside the incorporated limits of the city of Tyler. The Association represents firefighters who serve Arp, Bullard, Chapel Hill, Dixie, Flint-Gresham, Jackson Heights, Lindale, Noonday, Red Springs, Troup, Whitehouse, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments. The association wanted to donate the cameras in honor of Seaton for his dedicated service to the community and to the association, according to Brooks.

ALBA — Authorities in Wood County are asking for the public’s help in the recent theft of livestock. According to KETK, law officers are searching for two goats taken January 30 or 31 from the Alba area. A $1,000 reward has been offered by Wood County Crime Stoppers for the return of the goats or information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever’s responsible. The goats are described as female Kiko goats and were only about a week old. One is all black with a white star on its forehead, and the other is a solid cream color. Call Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274) if you have information about this case.

TYLER — Dr. Barbara Haas has been elected chairperson of Nursing Education Xchange, a national collaborative of doctoral programs in nursing, Dr. Yong “Tai” Wang, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler, announced. Haas serves as the David G. Braithwaite professor in nursing and associate dean for the graduate and international programs within the college. “I am honored to have been elected and look forward to working with outstanding doctoral program directors and deans from across the nation,” Haas said. “This group represents some of the most prestigious doctoral programs in the country. Beyond that, these are innovators and leaders in re-envisioning the future of doctoral education.”

KILGORE — Multiple agencies responded to a major multi-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on I-20 Thursday morning. According to KETK, the Kilgore Fire Department says it received a call for assistance on a vehicle accident at around 10:54 a.m. By that time, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office had already received multiple reports of a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lanes. Authorities later learned an “older man” had been driving the wrong way. His vehicle caused several crashes involving two 18-wheelers and four other vehicles, including his own. The man’s vehicle came to rest near exit 589A inside Kilgore city limits. Multiple minor injuries were reported, and the man who is believed to have caused the wrecks was taken to a Longview hospital. The Kilgore Police Department is working with DPS and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office to determine why the man was traveling in the wrong direction.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department requests your assistance in identifying a suspect who reportedly has touched several female victims from behind inappropriately while they were shopping in a department store. According to the TPD Facebook page, the suspect was observed getting into a red Dodge Dakota pickup. If you have any information on who this suspect is, contact Detective Ken Gardner at 903-535-0192 or you may call Tyler Smith-County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – Tyler police are investigating an assault that occurred Wednesday night on the Texas College campus, 2404 North Grand. A man driving a car had been attacked by several persons. During the assault, the driver attempted to flee in his vehicle. A woman, who was attempting to exit the car, fell from the vehicle. As the driver backed up, the woman was struck and injured. The driver then hit a light pole and was forcefully removed from the car by the assailants. The driver was then severely beaten, receiving non-life threatening injuries. The suspects then fled the area. A third occupant was in the back seat, but sustained minimal injuries. All three individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Dr. Tom Johnson and Dr. Tim Drain have assumed new responsibilities at Tyler Junior College.

Johnson, executive director of TJC Campus Police and director of the law enforcement academy, has been named assistant vice president for student services. In this new role, Johnson will work with key leaders from the institution, including the dean for enrollment management and the college registrar, to promote access through various enrollment strategies, including a more focused approach to serving our nation’s veterans. He will continue to oversee TJC Campus Police and work with the TJC judicial department, all focused on campuses where civility and safety are paramount. He will also work with TJC Career Services to strengthen the services provided to students to serve the region’s business and industry. Continue reading New Assistant Vice Presidents at TJC

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has ended its search for a missing 15-year-old who’d been termed a runaway. According to KETK, family members of Taylor Banks say she was found alive and safe Wednesday afternoon. Taylor had last been seen in the area of Boldt Street and McDonald Road on Monday, February 2, around 9:00 p.m.

WHITEHOUSE — Funeral services were held this morning at Whitehouse United Methodist Church for former Whitehouse Mayor Acker Hanks, who died Sunday at 92 following a brief illness. According to the Lloyd James Funeral Home website, Hanks was the principal of Bullard Elementary for two years and Whitehouse Elementary for nine years. In 1966, he returned to the classroom to teach agriculture at Whitehouse High School until he retired in 1985. He also served four terms on the Whitehouse City Council and one term as the mayor. Hanks and his wife of 35 years, Bobbie, were deemed instrumental in establishing the Whitehouse YMCA and the construction of the Whitehouse Meals on Wheels building. Hanks is survived by his wife and a number of other family members.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A woman reported missing from Kilgore since May 15, 2014, has been located and arrested in Lexington, Kentucky. According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit was notified early Wednesday morning that Christina Rae Davison had been arrested at around 1:00 a.m. in Lexington. The arrest stemmed from an outstanding Harrison County, Texas, warrant along with local charges in Lexington. Lexington officials booked her into jail on a felony warrant, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Christina Rae Davison Found, Arrested in Kentucky; Missing since May

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities report that Zackery Childers, 19, of Kemp, was recently sentenced to 5 years in prison for a 2013 burglary of a habitation. The investigation began when Sheriff’s Deputy Jodie Sorrells responded to a call that a young man had been seen driving an allegedly stolen lawnmower into the woods. Continue reading Man Gets Five Years in Burglary Case

AUSTIN (AP) – The head of the state Senate Transportation Committee is proposing a constitutional amendment funneling part of the revenue from Texas’ vehicle sales tax to building and maintaining roads. Sen. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville announced the plan Wednesday during a news conference with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Taxes collected on vehicle sales currently flow into the state budget’s general revenue. If passed by the Legislature and eventually approved by voters, Nichols’ plan would divert all tax collections over $2.5 billion annually for road infrastructure beginning in the 2018-2019 state budgetary cycle. While the amount would fluctuate based on sales totals, Nichols said it could generate $2-plus billion per year. Nichols and Patrick said it was a way to keep top Texas Republicans’ campaign promises to bolster funding for transportation infrastructure without raising taxes.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is searching for a missing teenager. According to KETK, police say Alexis Wardlaw, 15, left her residence through her bedroom window February 2, sometime around 8:00 p.m. Wardlaw stands 5’3” and weighs 110 pounds, with a thin build. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black tennis shoes, and a maroon jacket, but she did pack a bag with other clothes, officials say. If you know the whereabouts of Alexis, contact Detective Kay Lynn Newbill at (903) 218-6907, call Gregg County Crimestoppers at (903) 236-STOP, or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Police also ask that you share this information with your friends.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the 2013 drug-related slaying of her boyfriend. Kristine Garcia of Lufkin pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder in the death of 47-year-old Efren Elizondo. His body was found in a burning truck. The 26-year-old Garcia also testified, as part of the plea deal, that she stabbed Elizondo at the urging of a co-defendant who remains at large. Continue reading East Texan Pleads Guilty to Body in Burning Truck

LONGVIEW — Police say they have been questioning a person of interest as they continue investigating a shooting that happened at a Longview gas station. According to KETK, police say they responded to a gunshot call in the 3000 block of Estes Parkway just before 10:30 yesterday morning. When they got there, the victim had already been taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. A witness said he saw a white Lincoln Town Car and black Dodge Charger leave the scene. If you have any leads, you’re asked to call Gregg County Crime Stoppers or Longview police.

NACOGDOCHES – A vehicle/pedestrian accident in Nacogdoches has left one person dead. It was reported just before 6:30 Tuesday night on North Street. KETK identifies the victim as Vernis L. Davis, 74, of Nacogdoches. He was pronounced dead at a Nacogdoches hospital. He was crossing the street when hit by a pickup driven by Timothy P. Taylor, 34, of Nacogdoches. Investigators say no charges have been filed in the accident.

TYLER — Dr. Juan E. Mejia, who joined Tyler Junior College as vice president for student affairs in October 2013, has been appointed to serve as TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. Mejia served as a founding member for South Texas College in McAllen, where he had served as chief academic officer since 2003. STC grew to six full comprehensive campuses and an enrollment of close to 33,000 students, making it the 8th largest community college in the state of Texas, according to a TJC news release. In addition, it had the largest dual enrollment in the state, with close to 13,000 students from its participating school districts. Continue reading Mejia Named TJC Provost, VP for Academic and Student Affairs

GRAND SALINE — Law enforcement officials are seeking tips in a recent theft at Grand Saline ISD. According to KETK, police said more than $2,000 worth of Grand Saline High School baseball equipment was taken over the weekend. If you have any information on this crime, contact the Grand Saline Police Department at (903) 962-3145. Parents are urged to be on the lookout for equipment not given to their children.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview website, LongviewTexas.gov, is currently unavailable. “We realize this is an inconvenience for customers and we will be working to restore a web presence as soon as possible,” according to a city news release. “In the meantime, we encourage customers needing to do businesses with the City of Longview to contact in person, by phone, email, social media, or using the CitySend mobile app.” Residents are reminded that water utility payments may be made in person at City Hall, by mail, by phone, or at Fidelity Express locations. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the website issues are related to a week’s worth of hacking that started with a group purportedly concerned about the recent police shooting death of 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard. Continue reading City of Longview Website Temporarily Unavailable

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – House Republican leaders say the House will vote next week on legislation to construct the Keystone XL pipeline and send it to President Barack Obama. Obama has threatened a veto. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that the House will consider the Senate-passed bill, which also included provisions stating that climate change is not a hoax. The House passed a version of the bill last month. The Senate voted 62-36 last week to build the $8 billion project that would connect with existing pipelines to carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day to refineries along the Texas Gulf coast. That vote was short of 67 votes needed to override a presidential veto. One of the existing pipelines runs through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated a preliminary nine percent enrollment increase for spring 2015, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. With a preliminary headcount of 7,889, this marks the second consecutive year UT Tyler has seen this percentage increase during a spring semester, according to a UTT news release. Last spring, the total headcount was 7,193. “We’re very excited to see another increase in the spring semester,” said Sarah Bowdin, assistant vice president for enrollment management, “and we attribute that to our continued retention of enrolled students and the recruitment of new graduate and transfer students.”

EAST TEXAS — More layoffs will be hitting the East Texas oil field industry, with a Canadian-based company telling state regulators it will lay off 125 in Longview and GE saying it will cut 330 jobs in Lufkin, according to the Longview News-Journal. Continuing signs of the collapse of petroleum prices that are forcing oil companies to jettison workers as they adjust to leaner profits. The U.S. benchmark crude oil price has been cut in half since June. Continue reading More Layoffs Planned for Oil Field Workers

TYLER — A 44-year-old woman, formerly of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has been sentenced to federal prison for a health care fraud scheme. Vivian Yusuf pleaded guilty on September 17 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She was sentenced yesterday to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider. Yusuf was a fugitive for several years before her arrest June 3, 2014 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Continue reading Nigerian Sentenced for East Texas Health Care Fraud Violations

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man has received a life sentence stemming from a 2012 double murder. KETK reports jury selection had begun in Longview January 20 for the trial of Joshua O’Steven Reese. He was accused of killing La Toya Nicole Reese, 28, and 11-year-old Mya Rosetta Nichol Sebron. Judicial records show Reese later pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder and will spend the rest of his life in prison. Continue reading Man Gets Life Term for 2012 Double Murder

TYLER — The father of a Smith County toddler who died after being found in a hot vehicle last year has received probation. According to KETK, Smith County court records show Russell Lindstrom, 33, of Flint, was sentenced to 10 years adjudicated probation for two counts of injury to a child. Lindstrom, who was indicted October 2, was originally charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child; those charges were modified in October, and Lindstrom pleaded guilty January 9. Continue reading Flint Man Gets Probation in Hot Vehicle Death

CLEVELAND (AP/Staff) – Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered treatment for an unspecified condition. An advisor for the Tyler native said in a statement released by the team Monday that Manziel decided to enter treatment during the offseason. Brad Beckworth says Manziel knows there are areas he needs to improve on to be a better family member, friend and teammate. Browns general manager Ray Farmer says the team fully supports Manziel and respects his initiative in entering treatment. He says the team will respect Manziel’s privacy during treatment. Beckworth says the former Heisman Trophy winner and his family are asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland. Manziel has faced questions for several years about a penchant for partying, with some critics saying he’s not ready to lead an NFL team. Manziel mostly backed up Brian Hoyer last year for the Browns and struggled in two starts before getting hurt.

SMITH COUNTY – Three people are dead, including a toddler, after a devastating crash in Smith County. DPS Trooper Jean Dark says it happened around 11:30 Sunday night. Dark reports a Lincoln MKZ driven by Roderick Erwin, 39, was traveling north on State Highway 110, four miles north of Tyler, when it attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. Also in the car with Erwin were Latonya Hambrick, 34, and three-year-old Jaiyen Erwin. When Roderick tried to pass the traffic in front of him, he collided with an Infiniti driven by Reginald Jimmerson, 41, of Irving, who was driving south on 110.

Trooper Dark says the Lincoln left the roadway toward the right and flipped before landing upright and catching fire. Jaiyen was ejected from the car. Roderick, Latonya, and Jaiyen, all of Tyler, were pronounced dead at the scene. They were not wearing seatbelts, according to Trooper Dark. Jimmerson was injured in the wreck and was taken to a local hospital to treat a broken leg and ankle. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Dallas for autopsies.

AUSTIN — An East Texas lawmaker is drawing attention with a couple of bills he’s filed. In one measure, Republican Chris Paddie of Marshall says hunters should get a couple of tax-free holidays. The bill would create two such holidays, which would coincide with the openings of dove and deer seasons, the last weekends of August and October. Paddie says Louisiana has a similar holiday, making it a competitive issue. He says he wants to encourage hunters to “shop at home rather than going across the border” to get their supplies. Paddie thinks the bill will sail through. It would cover firearms, ammo, hunting blinds and stands, gun cases, safety equipment, and more. Paddie hopes the measure will encourage more folks to hunt. Continue reading Tax Free Holidays Proposed for Texas Hunters

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of February 2. Weather conditions forecast for the area could cause changes to this week’s work schedules.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Tyler maintenance crews will be performing pavement repairs on State Highway 110 North just south of Interstate Highway 20. The job will be conducted with traffic reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates