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TYLER — The Tyler Area Builders Association has announced the beneficiaries of the upcoming 2014 Parade of Homestm will be Kingdom Life Academy and Rockin’ C Ranch’s Camp Courageous for special needs children. “For a number of years, we have chosen to donate a portion of the proceeds from the Parade to organizations that serve our community,” said Libby Simmons, executive vice-president of TABA. “It is our way of giving back to the community that gives so much to us.” More than 4,000 visitors toured the Parade last year. Continue reading TABA Announces Parade of Homes Beneficiaries

TYLER — Tyler ISD’s graduation rates exceed those of Texas and the United States, according to information from the school district. TISD’s 2012 graduation rate hit 92 percent, beating the state average by 4 percent. Furthermore, Tyler ISD graduation rates exceeded the state and the nation in every demographic group. According to a news release, “Tyler ISD applauds districts across the State in their achievements” while celebrating its own good news. The United States Department of Education this week released a study showing 2012 graduation rates of Texas students to be among the highest in the country. Texas posted a graduation rate of 88 percent, coming in behind only Iowa and tied for second place with Nebraska, Vermont and Wisconsin. Furthermore, in 2012, Texas had the highest graduation rates among African-American students and tied for the highest graduation rates for white and economically disadvantaged students.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews have completed reconstruction of a well-traveled bridge on County Road 137 just north of Bullard. The reconstructed bridge is made of concrete, has two full lanes and will improve a number of safety issues for that road, according to a county news release. Before improvements began, the wooden bridge which crosses over Henshaw Creek was only large enough to allow a single car to pass at a time. Crews also moved the location of the bridge to straighten out a dangerous curve in CR 137, improving visibility for both directions of traffic, according to officials. As of May 2, the bridge is now reopened to through traffic. Continue reading County Road 137 Now Open

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has named its newest housing facility, Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs, announced. Officials say Eagle’s Landing, formerly the Village at the U, will offer a unique campus living option for university upperclassmen. UT Tyler held a naming contest opened to all students, faculty and staff. The university received more than 200 entries. Continue reading UT Tyler Announces Name for New Housing

COVE SPRINGS — The West Jacksonville Water Supply Corporation, which serves the Cove Springs area, is notifying all its customers to boil their water prior to consumption. The boil water notice was issued on the order of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It specifically addresses customers who experienced low pressure or were without water Friday. Continue reading Boil Water Notice for Cove Springs

RUSK — The death of a man found in a Cherokee County ditch is now being investigated as a homicide. KETK reports that according to the Rusk Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Underwood around 8:40 Tuesday evening on a call for help. When police arrived they found Xavier Lang, 22, lying in an eastbound ditch with arm and head injuries. He was pronounced dead Wednesday by Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Meredith after being flown to a Tyler hospital. Lang’s body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy, and the results are expected to be back sometime this weekend.

MARSHALL — Former Harrison County deputy Eddie Nichols is serving 5 years in prison for indecency with a child. Now his wife has been sentenced in the same case. KETK reports Sharon Nichols was pleading no contest to two counts of injury to a child. She was accused of causing serious mental impairment to her children by failing to protect them from her husband. The children told authorities that their stepfather inappropriately touched them and gave them breast exams in 2011. Sharon Nichols was given ten years’ probation on each count.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A former doctor arrested in Kilgore has a preliminary hearing in Oklahoma Wednesday. 71-year-old William Martin Valuck had already served time in federal prison before moving to Kilgore. D-E-A agents arrested him in December and extradited him back to Oklahoma. KETK reports prosecutors dropped one murder charge and 14 drug charges. He still faces more than sixty felonies and eight murders. Officials say Valuck wrote more prescriptions than any other doctor in the state and at least eight of those resulted in fatal overdoses.

LONGVIEW — A cross-dressing man, who is not a United States citizen, is facing deportation after pleading guilty to unlawful restraint of a 15-year-old in Longview. According to Gregg County judicial records, Sergio Antonio Galicia-Orozco, 41, received five years’ probation for a January 2012 incident in which Galicia-Orozco, while dressed as a woman, stroked a Longview teen’s stomach before reaching into the victim’s shorts. KETK reports Galicia-Orozco entered the guilty plea in December 2013 and was sentenced Thursday by Gregg County 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles. Continue reading Cross-Dresser Facing Deportation after Reaching into Boy’s Shorts

SMITH COUNTY — The Winona Volunteer Fire Department may lose their contract with Emergency Services District 2 after several reports have been filed, claiming the department is failing to respond to fires in a timely manner. According to Emergency Services District 2, the Winona Fire Department has 30 days to improve their response time before they lose funding. According to KETK, in the last four months, Emergency Services says the department failed to meet the minimum 15 minute requirement on multiple occasions. This past Monday, Fire Chief Nelson Brumley stepped down. Continue reading Winona Volunteer Fire Department Facing Contract Issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate supporters of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline have introduced legislation authorizing its immediate construction and say they expect the measure will come to a vote in the coming days. The legislation was introduced by Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Republican Sen. John Hoeven North Dakota. In a statement, they said it has the support of all 45 Senate Republicans and 11 Democrats. The legislation is the latest response in Congress to the Obama administration’s recent announcement that it was delaying a decision on the pipeline indefinitely, citing a Nebraska court case relating to the project. The House has voted previously to approve construction of the pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada to the United States, where it eventually would reach Gulf Coast states. The pipeline is scheduled to run through eastern Smith County.

RAINS COUNTY — An East Texan whose dog was killed by a now fired Rains County deputy is trying to turn his grief into something good. Cole Middleton says his blue heeler Candy was a gentle dog. Jerrod Dooley, who had come to Middleton’s home following a burglary about two weeks ago, shot her in the back of the head. Dooley claimed he felt endangered by the animal. Middleton is pushing for legislation that would mandate police learn to deal with dogs in other ways. Middleton says, “We’re here to fight, and we’re gonna fight to try to get this passed, because we would not wish this on our worst enemy. It’s terrible, it’s been awful, and it’s been very hard to deal with, and we just want to see some changes — want to see a positive out of a negative.” He says meter readers and mail carriers know more about working around dogs than do police.

TYLER — Tyler is getting another visit from former President George W. Bush. KETK reports that on May 8, Grace Community School will take over the University of Texas at Tyler’s Patriot Center for a full-scale, 40th Anniversary celebration event. Bush will keynote the event, speaking to the crowd and also participating in a conversation with Grace Headmaster Jay Ferguson. The evening will also include special music performances from Grace Community School’s state-recognized fine arts department and a multi-media presentation to recognize and honor the founders of the school. The event kicks off at 7pm, and you can go to http://www.gracetyler.org to get tickets.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request information on a cold case involving human remains. On May 21, 2002, human remains, including a skull, were discovered by a road construction crew on Highway 135, south of Swamp City Road in the Gladewater area. The remains were examined by a forensic anthropologist and determined to be of a white female, 17 to 25 years of age, about 5’1 to 5’4’ in height, with a slim or petite build and an unrepaired cleft palate. Due to the condition of the bones, it was believed that she died about two years earlier, in 2000. Continue reading Officials Seek Leads in 2002 Case Involving Human Remains

TYLER – Tyler ISD will honor Campus Teachers of the Year and announce its 2014 District Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet at Harvey Convention Center May 13. The banquet will be sponsored by the Cooperative Teachers Credit Union. “The Teacher of the Year Banquet is always a fun event that highlights the amazingly talented teachers we have on our campuses,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring said. “This year’s banquet will be even more successful due to the sponsorship from the Cooperative Teachers Credit Union.” Suzette Warren, spokesperson for the credit union, said, “Cooperative Teachers Credit Union is honored to be the sponsor of the 2014 Teacher of the Year event. It is a privilege to be able to celebrate and express our continued commitment to the Tyler ISD educators.” Continue reading Tyler Teacher of the Year Banquet May 13

TYLER — The Lake Tyler Marina at 18183 Concession Road is now open and under operation by the City of Tyler Water Department Fridays through Sundays from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The marina reopened with those hours in mid-April, but according to city officials, the previous owner has completely left now, and the marina is entirely under the control of the city. Boat fuel sales remain limited to gas (92 octane, with ethanol) only at this time. Purchases may be paid for by cash or check; no credit cards accepted. Officials say the restaurant and store at the marina remain closed until further notice. Continue reading Lake Tyler Marina Open Weekends with City in Charge

KILGORE — An Overton woman is behind bars after a routine traffic stop in Kilgore revealed drugs, according to authorities. KETK reports Kilgore Police Officer Josh Sims stopped a vehicle traveling on the Duvall Parkway and the driver was identified as April Marie Cameron, 35. After an initial investigation by Officer Sims, Cameron was allegedly found to be intoxicated and was arrested for DWI. During a search of her person, Cameron was reportedly found to be in possession of 27.8 grams of crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana. She was additionally charged with delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

TYLER — A recent study by Allstate has found Smith County has the highest frequency of lightning property damage claims in Texas in the past five years. KETK reports that according to Allstate’s ranking, Smith County ranked number one in “Highest Frequency of Lightning Claims 2009-2013 by County” and 12th in “Highest Frequency of Wind and Hail Claims 2009-2013 by County.” “Texans are exposed to more types of natural disasters than any other state,” said Pam Nichols, an Allstate agent in Midland. “It’s important for families to take precautions to protect themselves and their belongings for Texas-sized severe weather threats.” Allstate collected the data by measuring the frequency of hail and wind and lightning homeowner property claims from 2009-2013 to tally the top 25 counties which all had at least 3500 Allstate policies.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County’s 2013 campaign raised $1.65 million, $50,000 short of goal. The announcement came at the United Way’s Annual Campaign Celebration & Awards Luncheon. United Way president Nan Moore explained, “The 2013 campaign ran during open enrollment for insurance at a number of companies and people are paying more out of pocket for health coverage. That coupled with the loss of hundreds of Carrier employees are primary reasons for missing the goal.” Moore also stated, “The total doesn’t accurately reflect the number of new businesses that have joined us. We remain focused on recruiting more businesses. That means we are going to need a lot more campaign volunteers to make this happen, but we are very optimistic about the 2014 campaign.”

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass welcomed hundreds to her last Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday as she prepares to complete her six-year term. Pointing out that the day is recognized as the National Day of Prayer, Bass added, “But we know that each and every day is a day of prayer for each of us.” Activities at the Harvey Convention Center event included prayers for healing, courage, hope, enlightenment, Tyler, and the nation, as well as a prayer for exhortation. Attendees were also treated to music and a “Prayer America” video. The prayer breakfast committee made a special surprise presentation to Bass at the conclusion of the event, handing her a bouquet, a plaque, and words of thanks. Also on the prayer day agenda was “come and go” prayer on the downtown square from 9:00am till 9:00pm.

TYLER — A Tyler man is being sought by authorities in a drug conspiracy case. Authorities said on April 9th, Tyler Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Texas Rangers executed a search warrant for narcotics at a residence in Tyler, as a result of a one-year undercover narcotics investigation. Officials arrested Micol Jauron Sears, 39, Tyler. Sears was charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. Federal and local law enforcement officials are seeking a second suspect, also named in the indictment, identified as Calvin Donell Dorsey, 37, Tyler. Dorsey is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. If you have any information to the whereabouts of Dorsey please contact your Federal or local law enforcement agency.

TYLER — Two John Tyler High School seniors have been awarded with Dell Scholars Program scholarships recently. Each student will receive $20,000 over the next six years for college.

Cristal Galindez is in the top 2% of her class, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a member of the Texas Bank and Trust Student Board of Directors and is also a member of many student leadership organizations. Cristal plans to attend Tyler Junior College. Continue reading Scholarships for Two John Tyler Students

LONGVIEW — In the state of Texas, motorcycle fatalities went up from 470 in 2012 to 494 in 2013. But KETK reports Gregg County is bucking that trend, with four such deaths last year, down from five in 2012. Longview Police Officer Kristie Brian attributes the decrease to local drivers paying attention to the road. She says it’s crucial that drivers are extra-cautious when traveling beside or behind a motorcycle. If traveling behind one, she says keep your distance because even the slightest bump with a vehicle can send a motorcycle driver flying. And she reminds everyone that helmets save lives.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Rangerettes inspired an industry responsible for more than $8 billion per year, according to economist Dr. Ray Perryman. In a Wednesday press conference at Kilgore College’s Devall Student Center, Perryman stated the study was an in-kind donation to the Rangerettes’ 75th Anniversary Committee. KETK reports the Perryman Group, located in Waco, did the study at no charge. “What are now cornerstones of halftime shows across the country – precision dance and drill teams – owe much to the innovative Rangerettes,” Perryman said. “This industry as a whole generates a sizable economic stimulus of an estimated $8.3 billion in total expenditures and $4.0 billion in gross product each year, as well as more than 50,700 permanent jobs across the nation.” Continue reading Perryman Group: Kilgore Rangerettes Responsible for $8B Industry

KILGORE — Kilgore police have captured a now-former Kilgore Wal-Mart employee who reportedly took pictures of another person in a bathroom at the store last week. Police Captain Roman Roberson tells KETK Devin Rhett Butler, 27, of Kilgore, was picked up around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and charged with improper photography. That was after a search warrant was issued stating he allegedly was caught snapping pictures of another man using the restroom on April 22. Police received the initial report April 24 regarding the incident at the big-box store in the 1200 block of Stone Street. Butler was fired after the civilian told management what had reportedly happened. According to Butler’s Facebook page, he began working at Wal-Mart in 2005 and graduated from Sabine High School. Continue reading Man Accused of Taking Photos in Wal-Mart Restroom

TYLER — Four members of the research team of internationally known scientist Mitsuo Ikebe, Ph.D., recently joined UT Health Northeast. Dr. Ikebe is the new chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology at UT Health. The researchers are Toshio Kitazawa, Ph.D.; Satoshi Komatsu, Ph.D.; Osamu Sato, Ph.D., and Tsuyoshi Sakai, Ph.D. All worked with Dr. Ikebe before he came to UT Health, when he was with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) in Worcester, Mass. Dr. Ikebe’s team studies cell motility, the ability of a cell and its components to move when stimulated by something outside the cell. This cutting-edge research can be applied to a broad range of medical problems, such as how cancer cells move, how inflammatory cells invade injured tissue, and how these tissues repair themselves, according to a news release. Continue reading Four Biomedical Researchers Join UT Health Northeast

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Commissioners voted to accept more than $500,000 in road improvement funds from the state of Texas this week, through a TxDOT grant to aid counties with road damage caused by the oil and gas industry. The County Transportation Infrastructure Fund (CTIF) grant program was created by the state during the last legislative session to provide more than $450 million to Texas county roads. Continue reading Commissioners Accept $512,000 Road Grant

TYLER – Testimony began Wednesday morning in the trial for the accused Tyler Broadway Square Mall parking lot shooter. Ricky Neal Jr. allegedly shot dead a former Chapel Hill and Stephen F. Austin athlete on February 9, 2013. Neal faces an additional charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police determined he shot at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, of Tyler. The jury will also be responsible for the punishment phase of the case. According to both lawyers, Neal and the victim, Chris Mass, 23, of Tyler, were allegedly affiliated with opposing gangs: Neal with the “Bloods” and Mass with the “Crips.” They also pointed out Dews was a known and convicted drug dealer.

TYLER – Former state trooper Joe Don Abernathy has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. The charge stems from an accident Abernathy had while driving his patrol car to work. It was first reported that Abernathy crashed on November 5, 2012, after allegedly swerving to miss a deer on Old Omen Road in Tyler. It happened near the Arrowhead Golf Course. The car reportedly sustained substantial damage. Abernathy resigned from his position as a DPS trooper the next day. A blood test showed his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit.

KILGORE — Authorities happened on an unusual case in East Texas early Tuesday morning. A Kilgore police officer spotted a man, dressed in women’s clothing, riding a bike on a dead end street. Assistant Chief Roman Roberson says Larry Lynn Wheeler, 57, had committed a traffic offense, so the officer decided to stop him. Roberson says during the ensuing investigation, methamphetamine was located on Wheeler, and he was hit with drug charges. Roberson doesn’t know who made the drug but thinks Wheeler was trying to sell it.