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TYLER — Smith County officials are awaiting guidance from the state following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Friday to legalize same-sex marriage. Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips is “in limbo” as she awaits instructions from the state. Phillips said she has even placed a call to the county’s software vendor who is currently working to have a new procedure in place. Phillips said at a news conference Friday afternoon, “Just as these couples want to have their union legalized, the County Clerk’s Office must ensure the union is legal by following the process disseminated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit.” Continue reading Local Reactions Following Supreme Court Marriage Decision

SMITH COUNTY — A Lufkin man has been killed in a one vehicle accident in southern Smith County. Dead at the scene yesterday morning was Kenneth Binder, 32. The Department of Public Safety says his car left the road on a curve and hit a tree. The accident happened nearly four miles south of Tyler on Farm Road 756 near Walnut Grove.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert sounds off about Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling keeping the Affordable Care Act fully in place. In a statement, Gohmert said the Supreme Court “has completely abandoned any semblance of basing its rulings on the law.” He added that that the ACA “has been a train wreck” since it was implemented, citing “broken promises and skyrocketing premiums,” among other things.

LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested Shannon Dewayne Jones, 33, of Longview man after a foot and car chase Wednesday afternoon, according to police spokeswoman Kristie Brian. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Jones is jailed on two charges of aggravated kidnapping and other charges. Jones was being chased on foot by two people in a vehicle whom police say he had just robbed, according to the arrest report, at about 2:05 p.m. Wednesday near Fisher Road and Marshall Avenue. Jones then jumped into the vehicle of another driver and told the driver and her passenger to drive, according to Brian. The victims reportedly said they were abducted at gunpoint. Continue reading Man Involved in Chase Arrested on Kidnapping Charges

PALESTINE — No charges will be filed against tHe Palestine police officer who shot and killed a man late last month. KETK reports the investigation began after Sgt. Gabriel Green and Officer Kaylynn Griffin shot and killed James D. Bushey outside Applebee’s in Palestine. The officers were investigating a theft at Wal-Mart and learned the suspect was hiding in the bathroom at Applebee’s. The officers found Bushey and escorted him outside. Officials say Bushey then pointed a weapon at officers in a threatening manner and was shot. It was later determined that the weapon was a pellet gun manufactured to resemble a Colt 1911. Continue reading Palestine Officers No-Billed in Shooting

TYLER — A Longview man has been granted a continuance in his trial for the murder of a Tyler resident. KETK reports jury selection is set for September 14 for 21-year-old Carlton Champion Jr. He’s accused in the January death of 24-year-old transgender woman Tyrone Lee Underwood. Tyler police say the two were romantically involved at some point. Police were initially called to a predawn vehicle accident and soon discovered Underwood had been shot. Champion pleaded not guilty May 29. He’s held on $1 million bond.

HENDERSON — Crews arrive in Henderson Friday to begin removing tree debris left behind by last month’s tornado, working under a one-month emergency contract. According to TxDOT, crews will work on FM 13 from Loop 571 to SH 42, and US 79 from the Traffic Star to East Main Street. Starting Monday, crews plan to shift wotk to FM 3135 from US 79 and ending at FM 1251, and FM 1251 from FM 3135 to FM 2658. Officials say that schedule is subject to change. TxDOT says roadways will be reduced to one lane and big trucks will make constant stops, so drivers should be careful or use alternate routes.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is warning area homeowners about a roofing company that’s reportedly been cheating property owners out of thousands of dollars this summer. BBB says it’s been getting calls from Van Zandt County residents about companies targeting the Van area following the recent tornado and heavy rains. One man said he paid $6,600 to a roofer who did substandard work and failed to return calls to finish the work as promised. BBB officials say they’re currently investigating the company. BBB is offering a number of tips to avoid being taken in. Among them: be very careful when workers come to your door without an invitation and claim your home is unsafe. Also, insist that contractors offer written estimates on company letterhead with contact information. You can visit http://www.bbb.org/east-texas/ to learn more.

GLADEWATER — Two women are arrested on drug charges in Gladewater following a traffic stop. On Monday night, Tera Austin, 33, Gladewater, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance and possession. Amanda Goodman-Snider (pictured), 32, Longview, was charged with possession.

TYLER — A new hospital for south Tyler is a step closer to reality. The Tyler city council yesterday approved a special use permit and a rezoning for the site at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Cumberland Road. Trinity Mother Frances and Emerus Hospitals are working together to build the hospital at the Villages at Cumberland Park shopping center. The hospital, which is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the city, is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2016. The three story, multi-million dollar hospital will feature emergency room services, an imaging center, general practitioners and specialists and will be open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

HAWKINS — The Wood County fire marshal is investigating a possible arson case in Hawkins involving Mayor Will Rogers — and possibly a controversial religious sign. According to KETK, around 2:30 Wednesday morning, Rogers got a phone call saying that his coffee shop was on fire. Luckily, most of the damage was done to a small building behind the coffee shop, where workers cook and sort a lot of their food. Rogers says firefighters got to the scene quickly and were able to put it out almost immediately. Rogers says security video shows a white truck driving up and a man throwing something at the building. Continue reading Hawkins Mayor: Fire Apparently Prompted by Religious Sign

LONGVIEW — In the past five years, 17 people have been killed in 14 unsolved homicides in Longview. That’s according the Longview News-Journal. The most recent unsolved homicide happened a little more than a month ago. Kareshia Jones, 30, was shot and killed on 15th Street. Many of these homicides have taken place on the south side of Longview. Longview officers say having just one open homicide investigation is one too many, adding it’s very difficult to solve crimes without the help from the community.

HOUSTON — The Texas Right to Life Political Action Committee Wednesday announced its endorsement of State Representative Bryan Hughes of Mineola for State Senate District 1. A statement from the pro-life group cited Hughes’s “zeal, diplomatic demeanor, and legal expertise.” Hughes so far is opposed by fellow Republican and District 7 State Representative David Simpson of Longview. Current District 1 Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler has announced he won’t be running again.

ATHENS — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has seized over 5,000 marijuana plants from a wooded area, totaling over $5,000,000 in estimated value. KETK reports officials had been conducting an ongoing investigation of a large marijuana grow just outside Brownsboro. According to officials, the growers were apparently living in the area where the plants were found. No one’s been arrested, but investigators say they hope enough evidence was gathered to identify the growers.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department will soon get a pay raise. According to KETK, in addition to a proposed 3 percent raise across the board for city employees, Longview could look to Tyler Police as an example of how to bolster police ranks with bigger wage increases for officers. As work continues on the next budget, City Manager David Willard said Longview is considering a pay structure similar to that of the Tyler Police Department, increasing salaries for every officer, with the largest raises going to officers with more than seven years of experience. Continue reading Pay Raise Planned for Longview Police

PALESTINE – Palestine police continue their search for the gunman responsible for the death of two persons. The shooting happened around 5:30 Saturday morning in the 900 block of North Conway Street. Killed were Timothy Laban Owens, 39, and Ashley Quinn, 25, both of Palestine. Owens was pronounced dead at the scene and Quinn died a couple of hours later at Palestine Regional Medical Center. A 17 year old boy, a relative of Owens, was in the home at the time of the shooting and said he saw a man running from the scene. He appeared to be about six feet tall and was wearing dark colored clothing. Palestine police and Texas Rangers are continuing the investigation of the deaths.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s Belcher Center has announces its 2015-2016 season. It starts on Thursday, Oct. 1 with the Broadway musical “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Also included will be the The Texas Tenors, TAO, Seventeen Samurai, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits and humorist Dave Barry. You can go to http://www.belchercenter.com for details.

TYLER — Staffing at the Smith County Jail is a heated topic for the Commissioners Court. According to KETK, Sheriff Larry Smith says short staffing is not a new issue. It came up last year when commissioners were discussing the new jail plan, but the debate continues. On Tuesday, commissioners held an open discussion about creating new positions for the jail, as well as increasing the size of the staff. Sheriff Smith says it’s a compliance issue. Currently the jail does not have enough people to watch inmates in different pods, so officials are having trouble meeting jail standards. The sheriff plans to make a presentation outlining the multiple variables he says play into his jail staffing needs. Continue reading Jail Staffing Debated in Commissioners Court

HAWKINS — Members of an East Texas community are responding to the controversy surrounding a sign on city property. The Freedom from Religion Foundation is threatening a lawsuit unless the city of Hawkins relocates a sign on city property that reads, “Jesus welcomes you to Hawkins.” A recent city council meeting addressed the issue, but no action was taken. Now, smaller signs have been popping up all over the city in people’s yards with the same message. The mayor of Hawkins has expressed his support of leaving the sign exactly where it is — as did the majority of people who attended last week’s council meeting.

MABANK — The East Texas firefighter who lost his job after a Facebook post says the post was taken out of context. Kurtis Cook says his comment about the Charleston church shooting was in reference to someone else’s comment. The former Mabank volunteer firefighter wrote, “He needs to be praised for the good deed he has done” on a South Carolina newspaper’s Facebook page about a story on the shooting. Cook says there was a person who posted about donating a large sum of money to the victims — and he was saying that person deserved praise, not accused shooter Dylann Roof. A screenshot that went viral doesn’t show any of the comments above Cook’s comment. Cook has since deleted his Facebook account.

EAST TEXAS – ABC – How does a young artist follow-up her Grammy-winning debut? When it comes to her new album, “Pageant Material,” East Texan Kacey Musgraves is worried about a sophomore slump. She says, “It would be easy to feel a lot of pressure second time around, but because the first one was received really well, and because I just got to be myself and do my thing on it, it made me feel like, well, just do that again, and hopefully people will like it.” The Grammy winner says she wanted her new album, “Pageant Material,” to feel like a throwback. Musgraves adds, “I just was really kind of going for more of a concise, just classic feel this time.” Musgraves will appear on the “The View” Wednesday.

TYLER — Crews begin the resurfacing of failed pavement in a number of spots along Rice/Shiloh Road today. Officials say the work should last up to two days, depending on weather. Locations include Shiloh Road’s intersections with Sweetbriar Lane and Paluxy Drive, as well as Rice Road’s intersections with Kinsey Drive, Hollytree Drive, and Plantation Drive. Drivers should expect lane closures and use extra caution.

TYLER — Tyler Police are looking for a known gang member wanted on several outstanding warrants, including kidnapping. Nicholas Sanchez Jr, 22, is also wanted for assault family violence and a state parole violation. Police said he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and assaulted her before eventually letting her go. Officials said he is considered to be armed and dangerous and has multiple tattoos. He has several inked tear drops under his left eye and the shape of Texas with “903” inside of it under his right eye. Contact Tyler Police, 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers, 903-597-CUFF, with any information.

GLADEWATER — Gladewater Police are asking for the public’s help in locating James Edward Hightower. Also known as “LJ” or Little James, Hightower is named in a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. KETK reports the warrant stems from an incident in the 500 block of Melba on Sunday. Details behind the incident were not immediately available. Gladewater police say Hightower is believed to be driving a gold or tan colored Dodge Durango. If you know his whereabouts, you are asked to contact Sgt. David Burrows with the Gladewater Police Department at 903-845-2166.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) — The case of a troubled Texas hospital system that stretched into East Texas shows how a federal program that distributes funds to help computerize health-care records has been vulnerable to fraud. The Dallas Morning News reports that it also shows the challenges in recouping the money that wasn’t used for those purposes. The U.S. Health and Human Services Department gave nearly $18 million through its $24 billion stimulus program to Tariq Mahmood’s rural hospital chain. The newspaper reported in 2013 that the vast majority of the money wasn’t used to upgrade the hospitals’ electronic records. Joe White, who managed the chain, was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Mahmood (pictured) was sentenced to 11 years for separate crimes of billing fraud.

LONGVIEW — The new Chief Executive Officer of Longview Regional Medical Center will be Casey Robertson. According to information released by the hospital Monday, he starts his new job July 27th. Robertson has served as CEO of Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin for the past five years. Prior to that he held administrative roles at hospitals in Florida and Alabama. Robertson will be succeeding Jim Kendrick. He will be leaving the post next month for a newly created position as Network CEO for 10 Community Health Systems-affiliated hospitals in Oklahoma.

LONGVIEW — Street work continues on West Hawkins Parkway in Longview through the week of July 10. Officials encourage drivers to find alternate routes. Questions should be directed to the city’s project manager, Kevin Jaeger, at 903-237-1112.

LONGVIEW — Officials with the city of Longview are alerting residents to a current scam. Officials say an email asks you to send money overseas to someone who’s been robbed, jailed, or the like. The scammers also seem to know information about the people they contact or the purported victim; authorities say that makes the scam more believable. A telephone scam very similar to this is also afoot in the area. If you get such a message, you’re advised not send money without verifying it through another type of communication, such as a phone call to a mutual friend or a relative of the sender. Officials warn against giving out any personal information via email, telephone, or text message.

TYLER — A Smith County grand jury has no-billed 65-year-old Fredy Neal in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Michael Caldwell (pictured) outside a Walgreens on January 3. Officials say Caldwell and his girlfriend were asked to leave IHOP on the West Loop due to a disturbance. Police were then called by a driver who said the two were out in traffic, with Caldwell chasing cars on foot. The two then reportedly entered the nearby Walgreens and became disruptive. A verbal altercation ensued in the parking lot, with Neal shooting Caldwell in the chest, later saying he feared for his life.