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LONGVIEW — Community activist and former State Senator Jack Strong died Tuesday in Longview. He was 85. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, the Carthage native served in the Texas Senate from 1962 to ’71 after working as an assistant committee clerk in the Texas House and graduating from the University of Texas School of Law. Strong also served eight years on the State Board of Education. Strong also volunteered at Longview Community Ministries. In 1984, Strong founded Longfellows, which was aimed at enhancing the cultural environment of Longview. Visitation for Strong is set 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A memorial service is planned 3 p.m. Aug. 7 at First Methodist Church.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A Titus County pastor has been killed in a motorcycle accident. Dead at the scene was Kevin Allen Sneed, 46, pastor at the Mount Pleasant Church of the Nazarene. The Department of Public Safety reports he was heading west on Interstate Highway 30 when he drove off into the center median and lost control. The motorcycle then hit a cable barrier support in the median and he was thrown from the vehicle. The accident happened around 6:00 Tuesday evening about 7 miles east of Mount Pleasant. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 Saturday morning at Bates-Cooper-Sloan Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday evening at the funeral home.

TYLER — What started out as a shoplifting case has turned into a Tyler robbery. It happened around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at the Wal-Mart at 6801 South Broadway. Loss Prevention Officers from the store reported they had confronted a man attempting to steal two air conditioning units. As they tried to detain the suspect, he is said to have hit one of the loss prevention officers with his fists. The suspect then fled the scene before Tyler police arrived. Continue reading Tyler Robbery Suspect in Custody

TYLER — A 38-year-old Lake Charles, Louisiana, man has been convicted in Tyler federal court in a Nigerian mail fraud scheme. Heesham Broussard, also known as Sudan, was found guilty by a jury for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft following a four day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Federal prosecutors say Broussard, who was indicated in January 2014, participated in a Nigerian-based mail fraud scheme that distributed counterfeit postal money orders and checks. The scheme targeted victims throughout the United States. Victims of the scheme were led to believe that they were working as mystery shoppers. Broussard served as a re-shipper or dispatcher of counterfeit postal money orders and checks. As part of the scheme, he sent packages to more than 600 intended victims and sent counterfeit items bearing a face value of more than $1 million. Continue reading Louisiana Man Convicted in Nigerian Mail Fraud Scheme

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University and the Longview Independent School District have announced a new partnership that they say will lower the cost of a private college education for qualifying Longview High School students. The information comes in an LETU news release. Officials say Longview’s incoming 9th grade students this fall will be able to attend college classes at LETU free of charge, as part of LISD’s new Early College High School, which will provide the costs of their tuition, textbooks, and transportation to the university campus. The program will expand each year to include sophomore, junior, and senior students, according to officials. Continue reading LETU, LISD Announce Early College Partnership

SMITH COUNTY — Local and federal law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate marijuana fields in northern Smith County. KETK reports that on Wednesday, Smith County Lt. Gary Middleton said authorities have found more than 8,000 marijuana plants in one field. The other fields are currently in the process of being counted and removed. “I personally have never seen fields like this. One thing that makes it unique is that we do run across small patches of marijuana fields out in our woods in East Texas because it’s a great place to hide it, but as far as the irrigation system and the tents where the people were living to take care of the plants, that was pretty unusual,” said Middleton. Continue reading Authorities Continue to Investigate Marijuana Fields in Smith County

TYLER – Drivers who use Toll 49 should plan for minor delays during the evening and overnight hours beginning Wednesday, July 29, and continuing for 8 to 9 days. According to a news release from the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the location of maintenance activities will be on the west side of Toll 49 from approximately SH 31 to I-20. There will be lane closures while maintenance is performed, but officials say one lane will remain open at all times to keep traffic moving. The work will be performed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, during non-peak hours.

LONGVIEW — An initial autopsy shows a woman found dead Tuesday in her Longview apartment had a fractured skull. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the body of Hauwa Esther Kadima, 61, was found by officers during a welfare check call Tuesday morning in an apartment in the 700 block of Gilmer Road. She had fractures to her skull with laceration of the brain due to blunt impact to the head, according to initial autopsy findings. The manner of death is listed as homicide. Gregg County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Tim Bryan ordered the autopsy.

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission reminds people affected by severe storms in five counties that the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is 11:59 Wednesday night, August 5. The help is offered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration. The five counties are Cherokee, Harrison, Bowie, Ellis, and Brazoria. Continue reading Unemployment Help Filing Deadline Approaching for Five Counties

LONGVIEW — Longview police say a high-risk registered sex offender has been arrested for reportedly sexually assaulting a male in the dressing room of a store in the Longview Mall. According to KETK, Public Information Officer Kristie Brian says police responded to the call and arrived while the assault was happening, allegedly at the hands of Lester Levelle Reedy, 41. Officials say Reedy is also a cross-dresser and goes by a female alias at times. Authorities say Reedy has a criminal record that spans 25 years and was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 2004.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man has been killed after a vehicle fell on him. Around 5:00 Tuesday afternoon, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Highway 300 Mobile Home Park north of Longview. They found trapped under a vehicle he had been working on Ismael Guerra Mendez, 25. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Tim Bryan.

HOUSTON — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas announced Tuesday that longtime conservative activist JoAnn Fleming of Smith County will become the Texas Tea Party Chairwoman for Cruz for President. On his campaign website, Cruz calls Fleming “one of Texas’ most experienced activists” with “a long record of leading the fight for conservative principles.” Also on the Cruz website, Fleming calls Cruz “a consistent fighter” for the rule of law, for the American people, and against a big government. Fleming says she’s proud to take on her new role. She’s a former Smith County Commissioner who’s now the executive of the activist group Grassroots America – We the People.

VAN — Republican state Representative Dan Flynn of Van says licenses and benefits for same-sex couples are still illegal in Texas, and he’s asked Attorney General Ken Paxton for an opinion. Flynn argues that the state Legislature has not changed the Texas definition of marriage — which says it is only between a man and a woman. A critic of Flynn’s suggestion says any ruling by the attorney general would be non-binding. A Paxton aide said any opinion would be based on the law and should not be pre-judged.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners hold one more public hearing today to gather community input as the county considers implementing Election Day voting centers in November. According to a news release, the centers would allow residents to vote at any polling location on Election Day instead of being restricted to their precinct. One hearing was held this morning during Commissioners Court; the second one is set for 6:30 p.m. at the R. B. Hubbard Center (The Hub), 304 E. Ferguson. Only one public hearing is required. Following tonight’s session, the elections department will send in its application to participate in the state’s Countywide Polling Location Program. Continue reading Public Hearings Today on Voting Centers

WINNSBORO — The death of a Winnsboro toddler has been ruled a homicide. That’s the findings of the autopsy report from the Dallas County Institute of Forensic Sciences in the death of 16 month old Madison Cannon. The youngster died of blunt force trauma to the head. The youngster was found unconscious on April 9th. She was declared “brain dead” at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and pronounced dead on April 11th. KETK reports there are persons of interest in the case, but no names have been released and police stated there is no reason to believe someone outside the home would have harmed the child. The investigation continues.

HARLETON — A single-vehicle accident in Harrison County has left one person dead. The wreck occurred just before 5:30 Sunday afternoon on Farm Road 2208 near Harleton. Killed was Ricky Bradford, 53, of Longview. The Department of Public Safety report said Bradford was driving dangerously on his motorcycle when he entered a curve on the crest of a hill and lost control of his bike. He was killed when thrown from the vehicle.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton has resigned. After a couple of months of controversy, Shelton submitted his resignation Monday, saying he was taking a job in the private sector. In a letter to Interim Whitehouse City Manager Stefani Wright, Shelton said, “It is with a heavy heart that I wish to inform the Mayor, City Council and you that, effective immediately, I am retiring from my position as Police Chief to accept a job in the private sector.” He said he felt it was in the best interest of the city and his family that he move on. Continue reading Whitehouse Police Chief Resigns

TYLER — Authorities in Tyler and Smith County have updated their heat plan now that temperatures and heat indices are climbing into the 100-degree range. A news release from the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) points out that “heat is a killer.” According to officials, a Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected and will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Heat advisories are announced by local weather reports. Officials say it’s important to be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The Tyler Fire Department is the lead agency for the Heat Plan and you can click on http://www.tylerfiredept.com to view the plan in its entirety. Continue reading Local Authorities Issue Heat Response Plan

TYLER — Westbound traffic was blocked for a time on Highway 64 West and Loop 49 near Tyler after a wreck in which one person died and another was injured. Killed was Sue Davis, 72, of Frankston. Authorities did not immediately release the name of the injured passenger, who was flown to a Tyler Hospital for treatment. According to the Department of Public Safety, a car was traveling northbound on Loop 49 and a truck was heading southbound. The vehicles collided in the southbound lane. The wreck occurred just south of Highway 64 West. The accident remains under investigation.

PALESTINE — Palestine detectives are investigating downtown graffiti vandalism targeting several buildings, including some high-profile locations, and even a police squad car. According to KETK, authorities responded between 10:20 and 10:30 p.m. Sunday, after an officer found his squad car had been “tagged” with black spray paint on the driver’s side center post while he was in the police station. Other target locations include the Federal Building, the Anderson County Courthouse, Capital Gaines II, The Masonic Lodge, First Christian Church, Mini-Mart, Brianna’s, KYYK, Prosperity Bank, Anderson County Probation, Reagan Park, Kroger, USA Donuts, and Family Dollar at 328 E. Spring. Continue reading Graffiti Vandals Hit Downtown Palestine

AUSTIN — Governor Gregg Abbott has appointed a Palestine dentist to the board of directors of the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority. The governor’s office has announced the appointment of Dr. Jay Steven Herrington to the post. The appointment is for a term set to expire on February 1, 2021. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. Dr. Herrington is currently a managing partner at Herrington & Langley Restorative & Implant Dentistry in Palestine. He is a member of the Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, and the International Team for Implantology. Dr. Herrington received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a D.D.S. from Baylor College of Dentistr

LONGVIEW — One person is dead following a single-vehicle wreck around 10:35 Sunday night in the 3100 block of Pine Tree Road in Longview. Police were told that the driver was northbound and lost control of the vehicle. The car left the roadway and collided with a utility pole and a tree. A passenger, Luster Laray Mitchell, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, identified as Markus Glenn Edmond of Longview, and another passenger, Phillip Hudson III, were transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with what were termed non-life-threatening injuries. All three people in the car were 24 years old. The accident remains under investigation.

LIMA, PERU (AP) – Some students from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches and two faculty members are among at least 15 foreign tourists hurt after their bus crashed in Peru. Peruvian police say the bus overturned Saturday on a highway near the Pisac archaeological site outside of Cusco. Police said Sunday that the driver apparently lost control on a curve. An SFA spokeswoman says the bus carried a group from the school. Shirley Luna says nobody from SFA has life-threatening injuries. She says several people broke ribs. Parents of the students were notified. The tour bus carried 19 people, including the driver and a guide. Authorities didn’t immediately confirm nationalities of the passengers. Four people sustained serious injuries. Several others were treated for minor injuries and released.

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 27. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

There were delays Sunday afternoon on the Loop 323 West Widening project in Tyler. The northbound outside lane was closed for work on the on the east side of the roadway as part of a detour. With the removal of the old railroad bridge complete, the contractor is planning to implement night operations again starting Wednesday, necessitating multiple lane closures between 7:00pm and 6:00am Thursday. Motorists should use alternate routes during this time. Caution is advised. The remaining structure at this location was built to temporarily allow the railroad to use the tracks and will be removed once the new bridge is built. More information on this project is available in the Smith County construction updates portion of this report. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

TYLER — Five artists with strong ties to the region are in the spotlight with the Tyler Museum of Art’s newest major exhibition, Reflections of East Texas, on view July 26 through Sept. 27. According to a museum news release, the exhibition features more than 30 works across a broad spectrum of media by artists Keith Carter, Ted Ellis, Diane Frossard, Mike Perry, and Franklin Demetrius Willis. Several of the works were recently completed and will be seen by the public for the first time during the show’s run. Continue reading “Reflections of East Texas” Opens at TMA

TYLER — A man booked at the Smith County Jail punched an officer in the face after being taken out of his cell to go through processing, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports Tyler police had arrested Tyler Calvin Kendrick for criminal trespass. Kendrick was not photographed and fingerprinted at the time of booking because he was acting aggressively toward officers, according to authorities. Continue reading Officials: Smith County Officer Attacked by Inmate

ODESSA (AP) – A Jacksonville man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a West Texas teenage girl 26 years ago. Thompson Ward Stricklen Jr., 52, is in Ector County Jail in Odessa jailed on murder and sexual assault charges. Bond is set at $350,000. Wendy Burdette was 15 when her body was found in an Odessa field in 1989. She had been raped and her throat was cut. A Texas Department of Public Safety report matched Burdette’s DNA with a sample taken from Stricklen as part of his sex-offender registration. Odessa police Cpl. Steve LeSueur told the Odessa American that Stricklen was previously a suspect in the stabbing but police had too little evidence to arrest him.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are issuing an advisory to local residents after investigating what they term numerous trailer thefts this summer. Police have put out a list of extra precautions to ensure that you don’t become a victim.

– Add a locking device, security alarm, or tracking device.
– Keep documentation, including photos, of your trailer.
– Make your trailer look unique by adding personalized items or artwork or painting the trailer a bright color. This will also attract attention to the trailer by the general public in the event it is stolen. Citizens may be more apt to remember seeing it. Continue reading Suggestions to Avoid Trailer Theft

TYLER — The criminal case against Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton has been dismissed. According to KETK, Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham says there was “sufficient probable cause” at the time of Shelton’s arrest but new evidence has come to light nullifying the charges. Bingham says that on July 8, the woman who filed assault charges against Shelton, stemming from an incident in May, lied while under oath before the grand jury. Shelton was initially asked to resign from the police department, but his lawyer vowed to fight the charges. Shelton remains on unpaid leave from the city. Several other city employees are also involved in the case. City Manager Kevin Huckabee was initially placed on leave but is now back on the job on a probationary basis.

LONGVIEW — A jury has found Alejandro Garcia guilty of the December 2013 death of a Longview teen. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Garcia, 23, of Winona was charged with murder in the death of 19-year-old Andres Chavez at a Longview mobile home park on Sabine Street. Police have said Garcia created a fake Facebook page, in which he posed as a woman, to lure Chavez to meet him. Police records indicate Garcia targeted Chavez because he believed the teen would harm Garcia’s sister. Garcia faces up to life in prison on the charge. The jury began deliberating about 4:20 p.m. Thursday. After about four hours, jurors asked that they be allowed to adjourn for the day and reconvened Friday morning to continue deliberations before returning the guilty verdict.