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MARSHALL – According to our news partner KETK a group of high school students are the recipients of $32,000 in scholarships because of an East Texas business. Eastman Chemical Co. in Longview awarded 16 high school seniors with technical scholarships to attend six Eastman partner technical colleges in East Texas. The scholarships are for $2000 per student and six of the students have elected to use the money at Texas State Technical College, where they will earn a degree in Process Operations. Scholarship recipients are also encouraged to apply for a paid internship with the company in between their first and second year of college.

Successful internships may land students additional scholarship opportunities. Continue reading Eastman awards more than $30K in scholarships

ALTO – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that they arrested a man in Alto on Friday for an alleged improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the sheriff’s office said they executed a search warrant on County Road 2610 in Alto. During the search, an arrest warrant was executed for Blake Attaway for the charge of improper relationship with a student, officials said. According to Alto ISD’s website, Attaway is a physics and chemistry teacher and a coach for Alto High School. The sheriff’s office said that Attaway is being held at the Cherokee County Jail waiting for his arraignment. They added that the case is still active for further investigation and further arrests.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Longview ISD Board of Trustees will consider calling a May 4 bond election for five propositions that would bring major updates to all their campuses, totaling about $456.2 million. According to the school district, they have not received a major investment in 16 years. If approved by the board of trustees on Monday, registered voters will be asked to consider the five propositions listed below.

Board members are expected to meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center. The Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said safety is the number one priority and driving force behind the bond proposal. Early voting will run from April 22-30 and election day is May 4. People who live in the area and want to check if they are registered to vote can check at GreggCountyVotes.com or VoteTexas.gov. Continue reading Longview ISD announces $456.2M proposition

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said they are looking for the whereabouts of a man last seen on Feb. 3. According to our news partner KETK, Christian Farmer, 28, was last seen in the Birdie Park area on 701 West Niblick St. Farmer is described as 6’1 and weighing about 135 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was reportedly wearing a burgundy hoodie, blue sweatpants, Nike shoes and a possible bag with him. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

HARRISON COUNTY – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a man was arrested in connection to child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child. On Nov. 30, 2023, the sheriff’s office said they received a report of a video depicting Christopher Hunter Rosenthal allegedly sexually assaulting children ages three, five and seven. According to our news partner KETK and the sheriff’s office, a search warrant was executed for Rosenthal’s Snapchat. Officials reportedly found a video of Rosenthal sexually assaulting a 2-year-old along with explicit photos of four children. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they are still investigating this case and waiting for Rosenthal to be extradited back to Harrison County.

HOPKINS COUNTY — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said they have arrested three suspects in connection to the death of a 21-year-old man. According to our news partner KETK, on Dec. 23, 2023 officers found Brayden Wooten, 21 of Sulphur Springs, dead at his residence. The cause of death was reportedly ruled as a fentanyl overdose by the American Forensics Medical Examiner in Mesquite.

Investigators said the pills taken by Wooten were delivered by two suspects, Bryson Lacy, 21 and Xavier Hill, 23, both from Sulphur Springs. The two men were arrested on Dec. 28, 2023. Lacy was charged with tampering with evidence, after he reportedly admitted to deleting text messages in connection to Wooten’s death. Lacy and Hill were charged with the murder of Wooten. Lacy’s total bond was set at $1,050,000. Hill’s total bond was set at $1,100,000. Continue reading Three arrested in fentanyl overdose

TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances announced on Friday that they have successfully implanted the 1000th WATCHMAN device that helps reduce the risk of stroke. In a release from CHRISTUS, the WATCHMAN device “is a tiny implant that closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage to keep harmful blood clots from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke.”
Continue reading CHRISTUS implants 1000th WATCHMAN

SULPHUR SPRINGS – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs announced Friday afternoon that it is partnering with the Texas A&M School of Medicine as a part of its rural health program. According to our news partner KETK, this partnership is meant to address the lack of healthcare for those in rural areas by having medical students practice in these areas.

Officials at CHRISTUS say they will be hosting A&M medical students for one-week and two-week rotations throughout their hospital and clinics.
Continue reading CHRISTUS and Texas A&M to partner

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department headed a multi-agency sting operation on Thursday at a massage parlor for suspected prostitution leading to the arrest of an unidentified woman. According to our news partner KETK the City of Lufkin detectives launched the investigation into the supposed illicit activities at two parlors following complaints from citizens. The unidentified woman was charged with prostitution. Assistant City Manager Gerald Williamson said that in addition to the illicit operations there were employees reportedly living at the establishment.

Blue Water Spa and Lufkin Massage in Lufkin have been closed following the arrest. The City of Lufkin said that Code Enforcement “shuttered the businesses” citing ordinance violations. Continue reading Two Lufkin massage parlors closed

MURCHISON – Murchison ISD announced Thursday afternoon that classes are canceled Friday due to a number of students and staff having a “variety of illnesses.” According to district officials, available staff will do a deep cleaning of the campus to try and minimize the spread of illness. The district said they plan to have everyone back at school on Monday.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine has received a $1.25 million dollar gift in support of Dr. Jennifer R. Honda’s lung disease research according to our colleagues at KETK. The university said the gift from the Padosi Foundation will help fund Honda’s research into nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), an infection that UT Tyler said is an emerging public health threat that damages and scars the airways making those infected more at risk to other infections. Continue reading UT Tyler Medical School gets large research grant

CORRIGAN – Our news partners at KETK report that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said a Corrigan ISD teacher has been arrested following an investigation that began on Jan. 30 in relation to an improper relationship with a student. DPS said that Anthony Jernigan, 35, a government and economics teacher, has been charged with multiple counts of online solicitation of a minor and improper relationship between educator and student. Officials said that Jernigan was placed in the Polk County Jail. Continue reading Teacher arrested for solicitation of minor