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TEXARKANA (AP) — Northeast Texas investigators now say they suspect a mother and her two children may have been dead before flames consumed their house west of Texarkana. Bowie County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Larry Parker would not say what wounds, if any, were found on the bodies of Amanda Doss, 34, Guinevere Doss, 11 and Texas Johnson, 8.

Sheriff James Prince says the grandparents of the children got to the burning house early Wednesday morning before authorities and pulled the three from the burning house, but they had died. The grandparents suffered burns and are receiving treatment at a Dallas hospital. The house was about 10 miles west of Texarkana.

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker announced Wednesday that Smith County has been awarded $368,600 in grant funds for sanitary sewer improvements to support job creation by Distant Lands Coffee Company. The grant, made from the Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Program, is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and consists of federal funds from the HUD Community Development Block Grant Program. The grant-funded improvements will be coordinated with the City of Tyler, enabling the Company to obtain sewer service, and re-purpose land for future expansion that is currently used by its septic system and drain field.

Distant Lands Coffee Company operates a roasting facility at 11754 State Highway 64 West near Tyler, but outside Tyler’s corporate limits. The company currently employs 56 persons in Smith County. Distant Lands is the only vertically integrated coffee company. Founded in 1982, Distant Lands’ operating divisions now include coffee farms, processing mills, multi-national quality control services, green coffee trading, and North American roasting plants. The company supplies approximately one-third of the coffee brewed at McDonald’s worldwide, as well as other chains, including Panera Bread.

Baker says the sponsorship of this project by Smith County and the cooperation of all parties, including the City of Tyler and the Tyler Economic Development Council, has contributed to the success of this grant application. As a result of the grant, the following benefits are projected:
• Will leverage an additional $368,600 in working capital investment by the company
• Will create 19 additional permanent full-time manufacturing jobs
• Will provide and additional annual payroll of $381,680 dollars.
• At least 51% of the new jobs will be filled by low and moderate-income persons.
• Construction of approx. 3,990 LF of new sanitary sewer main from the company’s plant to a nearby City of Tyler sewer interceptor.

The project will be located in Precinct 1 of Smith County. Smith County is thanking the Texas Department of Agriculture and especially Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples for making the grant possible. The team of Traylor & Associates; Rea Boudreaux, P.E.; and the Brannon Corporation worked together in preparing the grant application, cost estimates, and site plans for the project. This is the third Texas Capital Fund grant successfully sought by Smith County since 2000.

LONGVIEW — A nasty piece of pavement in Gregg County is getting a makeover. KETK reports that construction is underway to improve safety measures along a portion of Highway 149. East Texans know the stretch of road as Whiskey Bend, and it’s been the scene of many fatal crashes, including a fatal hit and run earlier this spring. Monday, Gregg County acquired land to help with the project. County Judge Bill Stoudt says added safety isn’t the only thing the project brings. According to Stoudt, “It will open up a large tract of land for development. We’ve had a lot of interest; a lot of national chains have asked about this project and when it’s going to happen.” The land acquired by the county allows Estes Parkway to make a” T ” intersection with Eastman Road. County officials say the project is expected to take about two years to complete.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of May have increased 2.61 percent as compared to May 2010, resulting in a 3.14 percent cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $3,307,846.99 comprises $ 2,205,231.33 general sales tax revenue and $1,102,615.66 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from March 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“Each month we are seeing steady, incremental growth in our sales tax revenues as compared to where we were last year,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The 3.14 percent year-to-date increase represents about $608,000 in additional revenue, compared to budgeting figures, to provide for General Fund services, like police, fire and parks.”

The City is already into its 2011-2012 budget preparation cycle. Individual departments are preparing budgets that will be submitted to the City Manager in May, and staff-level budget hearings will take place in May and June; the final proposed budget will be presented to the City Council on August 10, 2011. “We anticipate this will be another tight budget year,” added McDaniel. “We made many cuts last year to offset significantly lower revenue – without dramatically affecting service levels. We are still recovering from those cuts in staffing and the delay of projects. Basically, we will be looking at a ‘maintenance budget’ with no new programming or costly initiatives.”

WHITEHOUSE — There’s some controversy surrounding the chief of the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department. The department met with board members Monday. Fire Chief Ronny Fite tells KETK the board reviewed and dismissed claims in a petition filed by Scott Beu, one of the department’s own. The claims concern alleged lack of training and misappropriation of funds, including questions about Chief Fite’s compensation. Beu says the petition was dismissed because it lost signatures from members who feared retaliation.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council heard a presentation Wednesday about the formation of a Veterans Roundtable appointed by Mayor Barbara Bass. “Tyler has a long history of strong support for our nation’s veterans,” said Mayor Bass. “To continue to grow this tradition and to serve as a model to other communities, I am appointing a Mayor’s Veterans Roundtable with Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway to serve as the Council liaison.” Officials say the intent of the Roundtable is to develop and implement a Community Blueprint for supporting and enhancing Veterans services in the community as well as positively impacting the local economy. The focus of the Roundtable will be on employment, education, housing, medical care and mental health.

Smith County is home to nearly 18,000 veterans and will soon welcome a Super Armory as well as the innovative Texas Veterans Home opening this fall. The economic impact of veterans to the Smith County economy is estimated to be $60.8 million annually. “There is universal support for our warriors and families, and nonprofit services have grown and improved in Tyler and in communities across America,” added Mayor Bass. “Still there remain significant gaps that can only be filled by more focused planning and coordination.”

Officials say the Blueprint that will be created by the Veterans Roundtable will work to address these gaps in a way that is specific to the Tyler community. According to press materials, the goal is to provide a forum to learn and share best practices and to bring key stakeholders together to collaborate in assisting those who have served our country. Members of the Veterans Roundtable will be announced at an event on May 17 at 10 a.m. at the Rose Garden Center. Representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Military Officers of America, and Community Blueprint Leaders will be visiting Tyler as part of the announcement that Tyler will be a pilot community for the Blueprint program.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has unanimously voted to enter into an economic development incentive agreement with North Chase Development, LLC, for the development of the Forest Meadows Subdivision. On March 23, the Tyler City Council created a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) for the Forest Meadows Subdivision in North Tyler. The NEZ was adopted to help reach one of the goals identified in the Tyler 21 Plan: to create 3,000 rooftops in the north Tyler area. To help reach this goal, the NEZ program will focus on the development of an entire neighborhood comprised of at least 20 homes on contiguous lots. It is anticipated that with the increase of affordable housing stock economic development will follow.

“The collaboration of the North Chase Development and the programs offered by the City should create the perfect combination to revitalize this area of our community,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “Using these public programs in conjunction with private investment is exactly what is needed to bring this portion of the Tyler 21 Plan to fruition.”

North Chase Development will build 20 units that will be sold for use as owner-occupied housing; of those 20 units, seven will meet affordable housing criteria. In exchange, the City will provide funding in an amount up to, but not exceeding $286,000, which will be provided through the CDBG Public Facilities program. These funds will be used to construct streets and utilities during Phase I of the development project. Additionally, the City will provide the following incentives to the developer for the Forest Meadows Development:

* Waive or rebate zoning fees;
* Waive or rebate platting fees;
* Waive building permit fees;
* Waive testing fees;
* Waive tap fees;
* Provide direct access to the Neighborhood Services Department’s First Time Homebuyers Program (first come/first serve basis-pending approved application);
* Provide an infrastructure incentive in the amount of $2000 per unit (single-family attached) or $1,000 per unit (single family detached) up to the maximum of 50 units; and,
* Waive escrow for North Broadway Extension.

“Programs like the NEZ and economic development incentives have been used in other communities to inspire private investment,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway. “We are hoping these programs provide Tyler the same success.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org for more on this story. Visit http://www.NorthChaseTyler.com for more information on the project, or call (903) 617-2020.

TYLER — One person is in custody after stealing a Tyler police car and leading officers on a chase over two counties. Shortly after 6:45 yesterday morning, officers responded to the 2500 block of Old Noonday Road on a report of a robbery of two women. Dispatchers were advised that the suspect robbed them at gunpoint. A witness stopped to assist the women when the suspect turned to him and demanded that he get out of his vehicle. The witness was able to drive away and contacted the police.

Police say Officer Clay Allen was responding to the robbery and spotted the suspect, later identified as Isaac Garcia, 24, of Tyler, on Frankston Highway near Sunnybrook. According to police, Garcia lost control of and wrecked his vehicle in the 2600 block of Frankston Highway around 6:30. Police say Garcia left his vehicle and proceeded on foot over to Old Noonday Road where he allegedly robbed the two females.

According to authorities, Garcia spotted Officer Allen approaching and attempted to hide in a ditch. Police say when Allen attempted to arrest Garcia they got into a physical altercation. A citizen stopped to assist the officer when he observed Garcia allegedly resisting arrest. Authorities report Garcia was able to escape from custody and had one handcuff attached to his wrist. According to police, Garcia the stole the officer’s patrol car and headed south on Frankston Highway towards Loop 323.

Tyler Officers responding to assist Officer Allen spotted the stolen patrol vehicle and began to pursue it around WSW Loop 323. The pursuit proceeded west on Spur 364 and continued onto Highway 31 West heading towards Chandler. Police say the pursuit ended when officers forced Garcia off of the roadway. According to a police news release, Garcia then exited the vehicle and attempted to elude the officers. Garcia was taken into custody on Third Street in Chandler. The Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Chandler Police Department assisted with the pursuit and apprehension.

Garcia was transported to East Texas Medical Center for medical evaluation due to allegedly being under the influence of a narcotic and for any possible injuries. Garcia has been released from the hospital and transported to Smith County Jail. He has been charged with aggravated robbery and evading arrest. Judge Christi Kennedy set his bonds at $250,000 on the aggravated robbery charge and $100,000 on the evading arrest charge. According to police, this is still an ongoing investigation, and further charges are pending.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an early morning mugging. It was reported just before 3:30 yesterday morning at 3900 Old Troup Highway, behind the old Wal-Mart. Authorities say the victim told them he was meeting an ex-girlfriend when he was approached by two black males who reportedly beat him up and stole his shoes and wallet. The victim sustained minor injuries during the incident.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Authorities have released the names of two truck drivers who were killed when their rigs collided and caught fire in Titus County. They are Javier Galvex, 34, of Winfield and Tommy Gilbert, 51, of Wichita, Kansas. Investigators feel Galvex may have fallen asleep at the wheel early Monday morning and his truck drifted over into the oncoming lane of traffic. The two rigs hit head on around 4:45am on Highway 49, eight miles east of Mount Pleasant.

NACOGDOCHES — Twelve persons have been arrested in a Nacogdoches theft ring and three more suspects are still being sought. The Precinct 4 constable’s office started serving arrest warrants Tuesday morning. The investigation into numerous thefts and burglaries began in April after authorities received an anonymous tip about possible stolen property. Besides the arrests, authorities have recovered a couple of rifles and chain saws, a flat screen TV, an all-terrain vehicle, flat bottom boat, and some property from a drilling rig site.

TYLER — An Anderson County man was killed after his motorcycle and a car collided in front of the Broadway Square Mall Tuesday morning. According to investigators the car, driven by Helen Rice Turner, 71, of Lindale, was traveling northbound on South Broadway and was in the left turn lane at Independence. She turned left on a yellow blinking light towards the Mall and was struck in the right front passenger side by the motorcycle, which was traveling southbound in the outside lane. The motorcycle and Kendrick Lee Clark, 23, of Palestine, caught on fire upon impact.

Kendrick was transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS where he died from injuries. Turner was also transported to East Texas Medical Center for observation. The crash is currently under investigation.

AUSTIN — The sanctuary cities bill sails through the Texas House after several more hours of debate. Democrats like Austin’s Eddie Rodriguez argued hard against the bill, saying it takes away time from police to deal with real crime problems. But Republicans like Tyler’s Leo Berman say it’s vital to get criminal immigrants out of Texas. Says Berman, “One of the biggest problems in the city that I live in is drive-by shootings, and it’s drug dealing, by gangs. And the gangs are made up of illegal aliens in Tyler.” The bill now goes to the Senate.

TYLER – A 26-year-old Malakoff man has pleaded guilty to federal charges in a massive credit card scheme that stretched through much of East Texas and beyond. Christopher Michael pleaded guilty to attempting to access device fraud Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, on Aug. 18, 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at Michael’s residence. During the search, law enforcement officers recovered counterfeit charge card making equipment, hundreds of counterfeit charge cards, and cash value cards. A forensic analysis of the equipment revealed that over 6,500 victim entries were fraudulently obtained by Michael.

According to prosecutors, further investigation revealed that Christopher Michael; his brother, Nathan Michael; Elizabeth Pickrell; and Corey Davis conspired together to commit access device fraud in Henderson and Smith counties. The four defendants allegedly obtained goods and services by using fraudulent credit card account numbers obtained through the Internet and at Chicken Express in Tyler, where Pickrell was employed at the time of the fraud. According to evidence, over 500 accounts were compromised in Tyler alone. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Nov. 3, 2010, charging the four individuals with federal crimes.

Christopher Michael faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing and possible restitution in the amount of $100,000. A sentencing date has not been set. Pickrell pleaded guilty on Apr. 5 and is awaiting sentencing. Nathan Michael and Corey Davis are set for trial on June 7.

TYLER — A spokesman for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has revealed details of Monday night’s shooting near the Pilot truck stop. Officials say the shooting happened around 8:15 on County Road 310 near Farm Road 14. When deputies arrived on scene, Thomas Morrow, 24, of Tyler, was conscious and was able to tell the authorities about the incident.

The victim says he was attacked by four men, one of whom he knew, named “Chopper.” His real name is unknown and he is described as a 5’10” black male. Officials say one of the attackers shot him 4 times, family members tell us 6, and the group stole his car, a 2001 gray Saturn 4-door with a black hood, license plate LLS624.

After he was shot, Morrow got up and went to a known nearby neighbor’s house, but no one was home. He then walked about a mile to the truck stop, where he was expected to meet some other people from Dallas that he knew. Morrow was reportedly covered in blood when he reached the truck stop, and someone called 911. Morrow is in a local hospital and is expected to recover. He was also the victim of robbery a few weeks ago that he reported to Tyler police.

MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) – Police in East Texas are looking for a second vehicle after an alleged hit-and-run that killed a 4-year-old boy and landed an unlicensed driver in jail on a manslaughter charge. The weekend incident in Mount Pleasant also critically injured the boy’s 13-year-old cousin, who remained in a Dallas hospital Tuesday. Mount Pleasant police Chief Jay Burch tells the Longview News-Journal that 21-year-old Edward Joseph Moya is suspected of driving the vehicle that hit Kameron Jones and his older cousin, Joclyn Roberts, when they were crossing a street Saturday night. Witnesses told police a second vehicle struck Kameron. Burch says the first vehicle was traced to Moya. Titus County sheriff’s Lt. Michael Garcia tells The Associated Press that Moya refused a court-appointed attorney and remained jailed Tuesday on $2 million bond.

LUFKIN — The suspect in a Lufkin man’s shooting death goes on trial this week. A jury was selected on Monday in the murder trial of Kendall Thompson, 20. The Lufkin woman is accused in the drive-by shooting death of Joseph Cooper, 63. The trial will begin tomorrow and is expected last four days.

NOONDAY — A two vehicle rollover accident Sunday leaves one woman dead and two injured. It happened Sunday morning around 9:30 on Hwy 155 about 2 miles south of Noonday. Officials say Allison Bryant Wiley, 51, Tyler, was driving south on 155 when she was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by Alicia Renee Morrison, 43, Flint. Morrison was pronounced dead at ETMC Tyler. Authorities say she was not wearing a seatbelt. Wiley is being treated at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for broken bones and internal injuries. A 16-year-old in Wiley’s vehicle was also treated for non-life threatening injuries.

GILMER — A two vehicle wreck near Gilmer claims the life of a 3-year-old boy. It happened Saturday afternoon around 3:40 on Hwy 155 just north of Golf Road. The Department of Public Safety says a Jeep Wrangler driven by a 16-year-old crossed over into oncoming traffic and hit a Chevy Malibu head-on. The occupants of the Malibu were Ken and Jennifer Danapas, Big Sandy, their newborn baby girl, along with their son, Luke. Luke was air-lifted to Children’s Hospital in Dallas where he was pronounced dead Sunday morning, his 3rd birthday and Mother’s Day. The family and the teen driver received minor or no injuries. All parties were wearing seatbelts and the children were in child safety seats. The driver received a citation for being on the wrong side of the road. It’s believed he fell asleep. The investigation is still underway.

A tragedy fund has been set up: “Ken Danapas Special Fund” and donations can be made at any Austin Bank with a notation that it is for the special fund or by mailing a check to Austin Bank, PO Box 748, Big Sandy, TX. 75755.

TYLER – Tyler police have released pictures of the suspect wanted for the robbery of Kohl’s on South Broadway over the weekend. Saturday afternoon around 5:15 a woman is said to have entered the store and selected several clothing and jewelry items. She then entered a fitting room and concealed the items in a black and brown colored purse that she brought into the store, as well as a red purse that she took from the store. After leaving the fitting room, she left the store without paying for the merchandise.

As the suspect walked to her vehicle, she was contacted by a Kohl’s loss prevention employee. The employee asked the suspect to return to the store with the stolen items. The suspect refused and continued to walk to her vehicle. After she backed out of her parking space, she drove directly towards the store employee, striking the employee’s right hand with the vehicle. The employee received only a minor injury.

The suspect is described as a white female, with long dark hair and 4 gold colored teeth (2 gold teeth on top and 2 gold teeth on bottom). She was last seen wearing a black cover-up shirt over a black and white striped shirt, black spandex pants and dark colored sandals. The suspects’ vehicle was described as a silver or gold colored 4 door car (possibly a Honda Accord).

TYLER — Tyler Junior College will hold its spring commencement ceremonies at 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, May 13, in Wagstaff Gymnasium, recognizing 841 candidates for graduation. Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science or Certificate of Proficiency will participate in the ceremony for students graduating with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Arts in Teaching. Associate’s degrees and certificates of proficiency will be conferred by college president Dr. Mike Metke.

SMITH COUNTY — A hearing Monday to decide if a Chapel Hill teen accused of murder should be tried as an adult is postponed. Nate Anderson is accused of fatally shooting his sister, Amanda Anderson, 19, in their Chapel Hill home in September. He will remain in the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center until his next hearing date, May 23rd.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches woman was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison on two counts of injury to a child. Joy Faye Yates pleaded guilty in District Judge Campbell Cox’s courtroom to having a role in the death of her 3-year-old daughter, Kaylan Broumley, by failing to protect her and failing to get immediate medical care for her after finding out she was injured. Yates also pleaded guilty to hitting Kaylan with her hands. She was sentenced by Cox to two 12 year stints in prison, to be served at the same time, and a $10,000 fine.

TYLER — Gregory Dewayne Polley, 26, of Longview, waived a jury trial Monday and pleaded guilty to the Christmas Eve shooting death of 15-year-old Nicole Cartwright. Jury selection had been scheduled to start Monday in a Smith County district court, with testimony beginning Tuesday. Instead, Polley chose to plead guilty and sentencing has been scheduled for May 31. Cartwright, also of Longview, was killed at about 1:30 a.m. Christmas Eve by a stray bullet. She was visiting family and friends at the time of the shooting.

Polley is the second man to be arrested in connection with Cartwright’s death. Adrian Earl Blankenship Jr., 22, of Longview, also is charged in the teen’s death. He remains in Smith County Jail on $500,000 bond and his trial is scheduled for July. Polley was initially arrested Jan. 4 for a parole violation in Longview, with Smith County officials tacking on the first-degree murder charge after an arrest warrant was issued.

LONGVIEW — One man is in custody accused of copper theft. Sunday evening around 5:45, a Longview Police Officer noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area of Mobberly Avenue and Humble Street. The vehicle fit the description of a vehicle that had previously been used in several copper and other metal thefts in Longview. Danny Wayne Milam, 29, of Henderson was arrested after authorities determined he had stolen copper, underground tank covers, and other items from several area locations. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of felony theft and driving while license suspended.

NACOGDOCHES — One man is recovering after a brutal attack. A Nacogdoches man is being treated at a local hospital after being slashed across his face and stabbed in the back. Nacogdoches Police say it happened around 5:30 Saturday morning at Oak Hill Plaza. Nicholas Barnes, 28, was found with stab wounds. Police say he and a couple of others were “very incoherent.” One witness was arrested for public intoxication.

MT PLEASANT – A car-pedestrian accident has killed a young boy and injured a teenage girl in Mt Pleasant. The accident, around 11:00 Saturday night, killed Cameron Jones-Wheeler, 4, and injured Jocylyn Roberts, 13. She is listed in critical condition at Dallas Children’s Hospital. The driver who is believed to have hit the two was arrested shortly before 3:45 Sunday morning. He is identified as Edward Joseph Moya, 21. He has been charged with manslaughter and injury to a child and is being held in the Titus County Jail under a $2 million bond. Authorities report after the first vehicle hit the boy, a second vehicle also hit him. That vehicle has not been located.

NEW BOSTON (AP) — Hundreds of people turned out to bid on donated items to benefit the family of a northeast Texas sheriff’s deputy killed while escorting an inmate from a court hearing. Bowie County Sheriff’s Deputy Sherri Jones died April 18 from a gunshot wound to the head in the Bowie County Courthouse basement while escorting Tucker Strickland, 21, from a mental health hearing. Strickland remains jailed on a capital murder charge. Two T-shirts drew a top bid of $500 during Saturday night’s auction, the Texarkana Gazette reported in its Sunday editions. Hundreds of other items donated by individuals and businesses also were auctioned off. Organizers said they expected several thousand dollars was raised for the family.

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

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 271 in Tyler between Farm Road 2015 and State Highway 31 (Front Street). Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

SMITH COUNTY — The Union Pacific Railroad, in conjunction with the Texas Department
of Transportation, is scheduled to close FM 2661 south of SH 31 to all traffic on
Wednesday, May 11 while the railroad makes repairs to the crossing at that location.
The work is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and last through 7 p.m. Detours will be posted. The railroad is also scheduled to close South Loop 281 in Longview at FM 2087 on Sunday, May 15 for a similar repair.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor A.L. Helmcamp, of Buffalo, is scheduled to begin reconstruction work Wednesday, May 11 on its $1.2 million contract to repair and resurface Ranch-to-Market Road 2329 between FM 316 south of Eustace and US 175 in Pickens. The project calls for closing RM 2329 to thru-traffic between US 175 and FM 3054 for approximately three months while crews completely rebuild the roadway in that area. That closure will be put into place on Wednesday. Detours will be posted.

KILGORE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 259 Business in Kilgore between Lantrip Street to the south end of the US 259 Bypass. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 79 east of U.S. Highway 69 before moving to the intersection of US 69 and State Highway 135 (Pine Street) to perform the same work. Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to be at work on U.S. Highway 175 from Farm Road 347 west to the Jacksonville city limits; and SH 135 between Troup city limits and State Highway 110 in Troup. Also this week, District-Wide Seal Coat operations were postponed late last week and are scheduled to begin Monday on SH 110 between US 79 in New Summerfield and U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid
delays.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing operations on State Highway 19 north of Palestine between Farm Road 860 in Bois D’Arc and the Henderson County Line before moving to Farm Road 2961 between Farm Road 837 and Farm Road 59. The work is being performed in advance of a seal-coat application in the coming weeks. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Later in the week and into next week, TxDOT’s District-Wide Seal Coat program is scheduled to apply a seal coat to the following roadways in Anderson County:
*US 84 in Palestine between US 287 and FM 3266 east of town;
*FM 645 between FM 320 and US 79;
*Spur 324 between US 287 and FM 321;
*and US 287 between the Freestone County Line and FM 321.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2892 between Farm Road 2495 near Lake Athens and the end of state maintenance. The work is being done in advance of a seal-coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 259 north of Henderson between State Highway 322 and Farm Road 850. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude pavement repair operations in various locations on State Highway 37 south of Winnsboro near Farm Road 1647. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 69 between Farm Road 515 in Coke and the Hopkins County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing and edge-repair operations on State Highway 198 between State Highway 64 in Canton and Farm Road 1651. The work is being done in advance of a seal coat application later this month.

A second crew is scheduled to perform fog seal operations on Farm Road 858 between State Highway 19 and Ben Wheeler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

NOONDAY – Three hospitalized after a Sunday morning wreck on Highway 155 near Noonday. Officials say a major rollover accident sent 3 people to Tyler hospitals. Noonday firefighters were on scene near County Road 1198. Firefighters say the accident was a double rollover. Two vehicles were going opposite directions on 155 when one vehicle lost control and the two went into the ditch. Noonday firefighters had to use the jaws of life to get the victims out. Highway 155 was shut down for 30 minutes this morning while crews worked the scene. “The two drivers were flown to two different hospitals, the third one was transported by ground,” said Noonday Firefighter Patrick Baldauf. Baldauf said the passenger transported by ground was the daughter of one of the drivers. No word yet on the condition of the three accident victims.