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TYLER – A 28-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. Ernesto Renteria pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine yesterday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to federal prosecutors, from an unknown date until June 9, 2011, Renteria agreed with other persons to acquire and distribute 26 grams of pure methamphetamine in Tyler. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 22, 2013, charging Renteria with drug trafficking violations. Renteria faces a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A 46-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. James Alton Russ entered his plea in Tyler Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, from an unknown date through February 2012, Russ was in possession of up to 200 grams of methamphetamine. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on November 7, 2012, charging Russ with drug trafficking violations. Russ faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

QUITMAN — The suspect in a Wood County manhunt is due to be transferred from a local hospital to the Wood County Jail around the end of this month. KETK reports Daniel McLemore was taken into custody Tuesday after an all-night search by several agencies. The search took place as a result of McLemore firing shots at a Wood County Deputy and a DPS Trooper as they responded to a disturbance call at the McLemore residence, according to authorities. Officials say McLemore escaped into a wooded area behind the property after the shots were fired. Continue reading Manhunt Suspect to Be Jailed Following Treatment

JEFFERSON — Marion County authorities have identified a man and woman found dead inside a burned home near Lake O’ the Pines last week. Both were shot to death before the fire, said Marion County Sheriff David McKnight. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a preliminary autopsy report identified the bodies of Willard Landry, 66, and his mother, Vivian Dome, 85. The cause of their deaths was tentatively ruled homicide, McKnight said. There was no evidence of smoke in the victims’ lungs, the sheriff said, indicating they died before the house burned. Continue reading Autopsy Reveals Names of Two Killed at Lake o’ the Pines

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office have released information on a major drug arrest in Gregg County. Just after noon on Tuesday, Deputy Tracy Freeman observed a speeding vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 20. Deputy Freeman activated his emergency lights and the 2003 black Cadillac attempted to evade the stop by exiting on Estes Parkway and driving a short distance to the back of a motel parking lot, according to officials. Authorities say Deputy Freeman located the vehicle and found the driver to be Sherman Lamont Edwards, 31, of Dallas, who allegedly had no driver license. Continue reading Major Drug Bust in Gregg County

LUFKIN — Ray’s restaurant in Lufkin has been damaged by fire. It appears to have started in a storage are in the rear of the building around 6:15 last night. The storage building suffered extensive damage while the damage to the restaurant was said to be minor. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

NACOGDOCHES — A former Nacogdoches substitute teacher will be going to prison after pleading guilty to having improper relations with several students. Jamar Ballard, 29, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was arrested in April after a student told a teacher she had sexual relations with Ballard in a classroom. Two other students later came forward to admit they too had relations with Ballard. KETK reported he pleaded guilty to two counts of improper relations between an educator and student and one count of sexual assault of a child.

LUFKIN — A Liberty County man is in custody in Angelina County in connection with over a dozen burglaries. Curtis Gabehart, age 53, of Hardin, was taken into custody when he was found with stolen property from Houston County. His arrest also cleared burglaries in Angelina, Nacogdoches, Cherokee and Trinity Counties. Gabehart remains in the Angelia County jail pending his transfer to Houston County.

GRAND SALINE — A train collided with an SUV in downtown Grand Saline. It happened shortly before 11:45 Tuesday morning as the driver reportedly tried to beat a freight train at the crossing. The driver and a woman passenger were injured. The extent of the injuries is unknown.

KILGORE — Highway officials are eyeing the next stage of Toll 49. Made up of four segments and known as the Hourglass, this section would connect the toll road near the Smith-Gregg County line and run north of Longview to Marshall. But a new map could put the toll road closer to Kilgore and Liberty city along Interstate 20. Kilgore City Manager Scott Sellers tells KETK That would be good for future development. Sellers says if implemented, the move “opens the door for future years’ growth in Kilgore and Liberty City, where we can really grow and become the linkage between Tyler and Longview.” This section is still in the planning phase. Highway officials did approve environmental studies and asked counties to consider transportation reinvestment zones during last week’s meeting.

LONGVIEW — Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott made a campaign stop in his hometown of Longview Tuesday. KETK reports Abbott was welcomed by a packed house of about 100 at Horaney’s. Abbott touched on many topics, from standing up for Texas rights to growing up in East Texas. He says he understands the issues East Texans face every day. According to Abbott, everyone in the area “needs to know that they will have a governor who understands them and will represent them in Austin, Texas, every single day.” Continue reading Abbott Makes Campaign Stop in Longview

TYLER — Today is the last day the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department will provide free residential hand pick up of brush that resulted from last Thursday’s storm. All limbs and brush must be placed at the curb and be less than eight feet in length and less than six inches in diameter. “Tyler Solid Waste typically provides free brush pick up for our residential customers if the debris is bundled,” said Russ Jackson, Solid Waste manager. “However, because of the storm on Thursday, we will temporarily pick up larger debris from residential customers at no additional cost.” If your brush does not meet the guidelines listed above, call the Tyler Solid Waste office at 903-531-1388.

KILGORE — A woman has been taken to Parkland hospital in Dallas with burns resulting from a fire at her house in Kilgore early Tuesday morning. KETK reports it happened on the 500 block of Turner St. Kilgore resident David Cox witnessed the fire. He says he was driving nearby when he saw the woman trying to get away from the house in her car. “She wasn’t able to drive because of burns on her feet,” Cox said. He called for emergency responders and stayed with her until they arrived. “She kept saying ‘There’s oxygen! There’s oxygen!'” Cox said. “Then there was an explosion in the house.” Continue reading Woman Suffers Burns in Kilgore Fire

LONGVIEW — The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau will conduct an economic impact analysis survey during the 2013 Great Texas Balloon Race. Conducted by Sarah Page with Sarah T. Page Consulting, LLC, this survey will include the financial impact of festivals and events in the community. Continue reading CVB to Conduct Survey during Great Texas Balloon Race

LONGVIEW — Sabine Street will be closed to daytime traffic underneath the High Street Overpass between Ware Street and Elliott Street beginning tomorrow. The closure will allow for bridge maintenance and painting. The street will be opened each evening for night time traffic. Daily closures are expected for weekends also. The closure will be effective for four weeks. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals & Clinics has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2013-14 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report. According to a TMFHC news release, the annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. Continue reading Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics Named among Best in Texas

LUFKIN (AP) – A rookie East Texas sheriff’s deputy has delivered a baby when a couple’s drive to the hospital during storms was halted by a tree blocking a road. Tasha and Cody Rogers of Lufkin named their daughter Chloe Amanda – partly for Angelina County Sheriff’s Deputy Amanda Lee. The Rogers were hospital-bound early Monday when a downed tree blocked their route. The Lufkin Daily News reports the couple’s phone call for help was answered by Lee, who’s been with the county since February. Lee delivered the baby in the back seat of the couple’s truck and says mother and child are fine. Hospital officials Tuesday didn’t immediately provide an update. The Rogers also have a year-old daughter. Lee has two children of her own delivered by cesarean section.

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater man who drowned in Prairie Creek on June 22nd, had three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system as well as a deadly combination of drugs. That is contained in the autopsy report released by Justice of the Peace B. H Jameson. As reported by the Longview News-Journal, the autopsy on Timothy Matthew Carson, 36, showed he had many substances in his system when he decided to take a swim with his son. The substances included marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, opiates, phencyclidine, buprenorphine and propoxyphene. His blood-alcohol content was 0.32. Continue reading Autopsy Released on Gregg County Drowning Victim

ALTO — A teenager is dead after a drowning in a Cherokee County lake. KETK reports it happened Saturday at Ratcliff Lake in Alto. The victim, a 13-year-old girl, was at the lake on a church excursion with her family. Details of what happened are limited at this time. But we do know that the victim was pulled from the shallow end of the water and she was given CPR until she arrived at a Crockett hospital. She was then flown to a hospital in Houston where she later died. The name of the girl has not been released.

TYLER — A former East Texas FBI agent has pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm in a case involving multiple weapons. KETK reports John Gordon Brody, 44, entered the plea in May. Officials say all firearms and associated ammunition accessories were seized from the defendant. Officials found 38 unregistered firearms as well as more than 45 ammunition accessories. According to authorities, upon the issuance of the preliminary order of forfeiture, the United States will provide written notice to all third parties asserting a legal interest in any of the property to be forfeited. Officials say the U.S. will also publish notice at http://www.forfeiture.gov of the Court’s Order and the United States’ intent to dispose of the property to be forfeited in such a manner as the Attorney General may direct.

TYLER — UT Health Northeast has been designated as a Clinical Resource Center by the Alpha-1 Foundation, based in Miami, Fla. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency – Alpha 1 for short – is an uncommon but serious genetic condition that causes lung and liver disease. In addition, Kent Davis, MD, medical director of the Ornelas Center for Healthy Aging, recently earned board certifications in hospice and palliative medicine. And Margarita B. Hart, MSN, RN, has been promoted to director of Inpatient Services at UT Health Northeast. Continue reading UT Health Northeast Gets New Designation; Doctor Certified; Nurse Promoted

TYLER — The Texas Medical Board has temporarily suspended the medical license of Dr. William Edward Brown. At Gynecology Tyler, Dr. Brown has been in practice in Tyler for 32 years. In a letter to his patients on his web site, Dr. Brown said, “I have yet to be notified by the board concerning their astonishing move against me.” He said the actions against him are unclear “and contain several misrepresentations.” Later in the on-line letter, Dr. Brown says, “I pledge to you to return to work as soon as possible. I have obtained counsel in Austin from an attorney who deals with these issues commonly and feels this can be readily resolved.” You can go to http://www.gynecologytyler.com and see the entire letter. Continue reading Tyler Doctor Temporarily Suspended

LONGVIEW — The 18 grocery and convenience stores that have received permits to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption since the May 11 election — and the five still waiting for their permits — have created a quick boost to the Longview economy. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. While many of the stores declined last week to disclose the amount they were spending to stock beer and wine, building permits filed with the city of Longview show thousands of dollars have been spent in connection with getting the stores’ beer and wine ready. Continue reading Alcohol Proposition’s Impact Adds Up in Longview

COLLEGE STATION (AP/Staff) – Texas A&M quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from his arrest last year for fighting outside a bar near campus. The Heisman Trophy winner made a brief appearance in court Monday and admitted he failed to identify himself to police following the altercation in June 2012. As part of a plea deal, other charges against the 20-year-old, including disorderly conduct, were dismissed. Brazos County Attorney Rod Anderson says Manziel was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, about $230 in court costs and was credited with the overnight jail time he served following his arrest. His court appearance comes after Manziel departed a day early from the prestigious Manning football camp held in Louisiana. Manziel said an illness caused him to miss practice sessions..

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert joins other federal lawmakers concerned about freedom of religious expression by military members. Gohmert and the others are rallying behind a measure they say would expand that freedom. On “Fox and Friends,” Gohmert said the Obama Administration has shown continued hostility to such expression. Among other things, the congressman said, “At Walter Reed (National Military Medical Center), you’re not supposed to bring anybody a Bible. It’s considered an act of hostility if you give somebody a Bible on their deathbed.”

QUITMAN – The new East Texas Medical Center Quitman opened for patient care at 8:00 Monday morning, less than a day after a community celebration and dedication of the new facility. Warren Robicheaux, administrator of ETMC Quitman, calls the move “a major step in fostering ETMC’s goal of providing the highest quality healthcare to the people of Wood County.” Hospital team members began the move-in process immediately following Sunday’s open house. The emergency department moved during the early morning hours Monday. Officials reported no disruption in care during the move.

HENDERSON — A lonely memorial on Texas 79 outside Henderson serves as a reminder that the first half of 2013 has been deadly on Rusk County roads. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report 17 people have died in wrecks there since January 1 — almost six times the national average. So alarming are the numbers that county officials will conduct a summit Thursday, convening local and state officials to determine why it’s happening and what can be done about it. Continue reading Officials Plan Summit on “Alarming” Rusk County Fatality Rate

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) — Texas Attorney General and newly-minted gubernatorial candidate Gregg Abbott comes home Tuesday. Abbott returns to Longview, where he grew up, as part of a ten-city campaign swing through the state this week. His appearance is set for 9:00 this morning at Horaney’s Inc., 301 West Methvin Street. An RSVP is requested; you can go to http://www.gregabbott.com/ for more information

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., has begun approximately three months of pavement repairs and resurfacing operations on NNE Loop 323 between U.S. Highway 69 North and American Legion Drive where North Loop 323 meets East Loop 323. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Funeral services have been scheduled in Tyler for Broadcaster Rick Reynolds, 71. Reynolds died Friday at Mother Francis Hospital. Services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at Stewart Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow. Continue reading Funeral Services Set for Retired Broadcaster Rick Reynolds