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GRAND SALINE — The Grand Saline Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of a stolen off-road vehicle. KETK reports the vehicle is a red ATV used for recreation. If you have any information in regard to the ATV’s whereabouts or to the person involved in the theft, contact the Grand Saline Police Department, or to remain anonymous and collect a reward call Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers 903-567-7867. Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

TYLER A 59-year-old Lindale woman has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling bank funds in east Texas. Mary Jane Haxton pleaded guilty July 18 to misapplication of funds by a bank employee. She was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to 30 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Haxton was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $446,344.66. Continue reading Smith County Bank Officer Sentenced for Embezzling Funds

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested five people believed responsible for a robbery that occurred this week. On Tuesday at 11:45 p.m., police investigated an aggravated robbery of an individual at Kensington Place apartments, at 4400 Paluxy. A 25-year-old victim told investigators he met a woman online a few weeks ago and she took him to the apartments to meet some friends. When they arrived at the apartments, four male suspects approached them and held them at gunpoint demanding money from the victim. Continue reading Tyler Police Arrest Five Suspects for Aggravated Robbery

TYLER (AP) – Tyler has approved the purchase of 135 body cameras for its police officers. The City Council on Wednesday approved the roughly $54,000 purchase. Authorities say the cameras should be in use by the beginning of next year. Police Chief Gary Swindle says the department started testing the cameras in 2009 as a way to improve safety. He says both police and citizens tend to behave better when they’re being filmed. The city hasn’t yet drafted policies for how the cameras will be used.

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Call it a high-stakes political poker game. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, facing an uphill fight to hold her seat in a December 6 runoff, on Wednesday called for a vote on approving the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project. The southern portion of the pipeline already runs through eastern Smith County and other portions of East Texas. Within an hour, Republican leaders in the House announced that lawmakers would vote today on a bill sponsored by her Republican rival, Representative Bill Cassidy, to build the pipeline. It remains to be seen whether the Democratic-led Senate will vote. President Barack Obama has delayed a decision on the project, which is opposed by environmental groups. Republicans insist that it will create jobs.

DALLAS (AP/STAFF) — Federal officials say crash tests will show by early 2015 whether guardrails found along many U.S. highways are safe. The Federal Highway Administration said Wednesday that crash tests involving guardrails made by Trinity Industries Inc. will be done at an independent lab in San Antonio. Critics say that a 2005 design change made it more likely that cars would be impaled if they hit either end of a guardrail head-on. The company faces several wrongful-death and injury lawsuits. Trinity stopped selling the ET-Plus guardrails last month after a Marshall, Texas jury ruled that the company should pay at least $175 million for failing to tell regulators about the change. Trinity has hinted that it will appeal.

GILMER — Two Gilmer men agreed Tuesday night to turn over 37 dogs seized from a home prosecutors described as a puppy mill to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the agreement halted civil proceedings scheduled for a second day of testimony in Upshur County Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter’s court. Potter said Byron Hobson and Jeremy Reddin still face one count each of animal cruelty and misdemeanor marijuana charges stemming from the Oct. 29 animal seizure at their home.

ATHENS — A Brownsboro man was sentenced to life in the Texas Department of Corrections Monday in an Athens courtroom for aggravated sexual assault of a child. David Lynn Sellers, 39, pleaded guilty and opted for the judge to assess his punishment after hearing evidence. A Henderson County grand jury indicted Sellers last December after an investigation. The probe began after an outcry was made by an eight-year-old girl who told her mother that Sellers had sexually abused her repeatedly and over a period of time. The child’s mother testified at the sentencing hearing that Sellers made the child perform sexual acts before Sellers would provide food for her and her brother. Sellers faced a minimum of five years up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Sellers was also sentenced to twenty years in the Texas Department of Corrections for indecency with a child.

TYLER — Texas Spine & Joint Hospital (TSJH) filed a lawsuit in Smith County Wednesday against BlueCross BlueShield of Texas (BCBS), a division of Health Care Service Corporation. KETK reports that TSJH seeks damages for years of disputed payments for patient care provided to BCBS members. Further, the hospital argues that BCBS is in violation of the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act by having only one contracted or “in-network” hospital facility in the Tyler, Texas, area. TSJH officials say BCBS has taken the position that only one hospital in Smith County should be in network with BCBS. BCBS had no immediate comment on the lawsuit when contacted by KTBB. Continue reading TSJH Sues BlueCross BlueShield

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A large number of electrical outages were reported in Cherokee County Wednesday morning. According to KETK, Oncor spokesman Charles Hill said a substation in the area went down and more than 1,100 customers were left without power. Electricity was lost when an unknown person cut down a tree and it fell across power lines, pulling down about 40 bands of wire. Crews continued working during the afternoon to restore power. “We appreciate our customers patience during this time,” said Hill. The company’s website showed an additional 600 customers without power to the south of Alto, near Lufkin.

TYLER — Fair Plaza Garage, Tyler’s African American Heritage Trail, and Regions Bank were all named winners in the 2014 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) Presidents Awards Program. Since 1998, the Awards Program has recognized more than 150 projects, events and people that make a difference in Texas downtowns, according to a news release from the city of Tyler. The categories are divided based on populations of over and under 50,000 inhabitants. Winners were announced on Nov. 6 at the Presidents Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with the 2014 Texas Downtown Development and Revitalization Conference in Granbury. Continue reading Tyler Gets Recognition from Texas Downtown Association

TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas desperately needs foster homes to take care of homeless puppies and adult dogs needing to be rescued from living on the streets or in deplorable living conditions at their current location, according to an SPCA news release. Officials say the SPCA is currently a foster-based adoption program and can only rescue animals as foster homes come available. Continue reading SPCA: Cold Prompts Urgent Need for Foster Homes for Dogs

LONGVIEW — According to the Longview Police Department, a local school bus was involved in a hit-and- run accident Wednesday morning. KETK reports police responded to the scene of the wreck at Eastman Road and Eden Drive, where Longview ISD bus No. 18 was hit by a car. Adam Holland with Longview ISD says the bus was carrying high school students and no injuries were reported.

KILGORE — A Mexican national is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Gregg County child. KETK reports Jose Sandoval, 32, was taken into custody Monday by Gregg County deputies. He is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the Kilgore area earlier in the day. Sandoval also had misdemeanor traffic warrants out of Kilgore for no driver’s license and no insurance. Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson set his bond at $75,000 for the sexual assault charge.

TYLER – A person has been robbed at the Stone Creek Apartments, 6100 Holly Tree Drive in Tyler. It happened around 9:15 Tuesday night. The victim told officers that he was approached by a black male armed with a black handgun. The suspect pointed the weapon at the man and demanded his wallet. The suspect then fled on foot. Arriving officers saw a male walking through the complex that matched the description given. This person immediately ran into a nearby wooden area. Police set up a perimeter and began searching, but were unable to locate him. The suspect is described as a tall thin black male, wearing dark clothing, and was carrying a black backpack. He appeared to be in his late teens to early 20’s and is considered armed and dangerous.

AUSTIN — State Representative Dan Flynn of Van hits the ground running after the field opens up to file bills for the 2015 legislative session. One of his measures would allow teachers to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Flynn says he knows the move will face opposition, but also says people who object are ignoring our country’s history. He comments, “It’s part of the architecture of the Supreme Court bill. It’s the architecture of many schools. They want to attack what has been the historical precedent set by this country and part of our foundation.” Flynn says his bill could go before committee for discussion by early March next year. Continue reading Flynn Bills Address Ten Commandments, Daylight Saving Time

TYLER — East Texas honors its military heroes on Veterans Day. Just one of the events: a downtown prayer and honor ceremony organized by the city of Tyler. Mayor Martin Heines told KETK, “It’s so important that we give thanks to those that have served our country. It’s something that we take very serious in the city of Tyler, and we want to say, ‘Thank you.'”

MOUNT VERNON (AP) – A suspect sought after the fatal shooting of a woman at a Texas recreational vehicle park has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office issued a murder warrant for Keith Lynn McDowell, 55, after the slaying early Tuesday. Officials say Angie Jo Smith, 31, of Mount Vernon was shot at the Still Meadows RV Park near Mount Vernon. McDowell fled but was found dead hours later in neighboring Hopkins County. Investigators didn’t release a possible motive for the slaying. The RV park manager, Amanda Wheeler, said the victim did not live at the site but was visiting a resident. Wheeler said McDowell also did not live at the park but wanted to see the victim. Autopsies were ordered.

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person who beheaded seven puppies. KETK reports the gruesome discovery was made on October 30 when a person who lived in the area of Farm Road 90 was trying to rescue a great Dane. A sack filled with nine dead puppies was located near the dog. Seven of the animals inside were decapitated. Continue reading Puppies Beheaded in Van Zandt Co., Reward Offered

TYLER — Smith County residents who think, or hope, they might have some money waiting in the state’s unclaimed property database can search the list at an event hosted by the Texas Comptroller’s Office and Smith County Treasurer Kelli R. White. Unclaimed property representatives from the comptroller’s office will be available to help people search for unclaimed property online, fill out claim forms, and answer questions from 10:00am to 6:00pm today at the HUB Center, 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. “There is currently about $3.8 billion in the unclaimed property program,” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “That money belongs to Texans, and it is important that we get it back into the right hands.” Continue reading Unclaimed Property Search Event Today in Tyler

TYLER – A Tyler man is in custody after fleeing security guards at the Smith County Courthouse. He is identified as Harvey Paige Russell, 32. Just before 1:00 Monday afternoon, deputies working the main security entrance of the courthouse asked to search a zippered pouch which Russell had placed in the security checkpoint bucket. He is said to have picked up the pouch and attempted to conceal it from the security officers. After being asked several times what was in the pouch, the man attempted to leave the building. When the officers tried to stop him, Russell ran from the courthouse and across the downtown square. He was taken into custody when he tripped and fell. Russell was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of evading arrest and resisting arrest search or transportation.

TYLER — Tyler Transit extends service north on Broadway Avenue to the Pinnacle at North Chase Apartments at 3651 North Broadway Avenue and the Lake View Senior Apartments at 3650 North Broadway Avenue as of Tuesday. These two additional stops were added to accommodate the residents of the two new developments.

GLADEWATER — A Kilgore man was being held Monday in the Gregg County Jail on claims that he pointed a gun at and robbed a 16-year-old boy in Gladewater earlier this month. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Deedrick Shamon Pegues, 30, was being held on bonds totaling $41,000. He’s charged with aggravated robbery; resisting arrest, search or transport; and theft of property valued between $500 and $1,500. Continue reading Kilgore Man Jailed in Alleged Gunpoint Heist

FLINT Emergency crews responded to the scene of major crash at the intersection of Highway 69 and Farm Road 346 in southern Smith County. Authorities tell KETK a truck ran the light and collided with a van. Law officers said they were first alerted to the accident at 12:23 Monday afternoon. The van was headed east through the intersection when the truck struck its side, according to authorities. The driver of the van and truck were taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. They have been identified as a woman and a man. Their names were not immediately released.

LONGVIEW — A Spring Hill football player is recovering in a Plano hospital after suffering a life-threatening concussion Friday night. According to KETK, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Mark Sartain said senior quarterback Garrett Plumlee took a hit late in the 3rd quarter in the game against Atlanta and suffered a concussion. The training staff took immediate precautions and called an ambulance. While en route to the Longview Regional Medical Center, Plumlee had to be resuscitated by medical officials, stated Sartain. Doctors discovered Plumee was experiencing brain hemorrhaging and could not breathe on his own. Around 1:15 Saturday morning, Plumlee was flown to a Plano hospital in critical condition. Continue reading Spring Hill QB Recovering after Suffering Brain Hemorrhage

LIVINGSTON (AP) — An East Texas man has been accused of stealing an ambulance in a three-county chase that ended with road spikes stopping the medical vehicle. Polk County jail records show Derwin Wayne Armstrong, 55, of Center was being held Monday on a charge of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle. Nobody was hurt in the chase early Sunday after the ambulance was stolen from Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. Nacogdoches police contacted other agencies as the chase went from Nacogdoches County into Angelina County. Officers put down highway spikes and stopped the vehicle in Polk County. Diboll police Chief Steve Baker says the fleeing ambulance at times went 80 mph. Authorities are trying to determine what prompted the theft. Online jail records don’t list an attorney for Armstrong, whose bond is $20,000.

TYLER — Ringo Starr, former drummer for legendary group the Beatles, is coming to The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center executive director, announced. Sponsored by the Owen Family, Richey Family and Anderson Vukelja Family, the musical icon will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015. Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased at the UT Tyler Cowan Center box office, online at http://www.cowancenter.org or by calling 903.566.7424. Box office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office will be closed Thanksgiving week, Nov. 24- 28. Continue reading Ringo Starr to Perform Valentine’s Day Concert at UT Tyler

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler online nursing programming has achieved national recognition, Dr. Yong Tai Wang, College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean, announced. Out of 50 nationally accredited nursing institutions analyzed by the national independent organization SuperScholar, UT Tyler ranks among the best in the country to offer quality online undergraduate nursing education, according to a UTT news release. UT Tyler is the only UT System academic institution listed, and the university bests Arizona State University, Michigan State University, the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, the University of Missouri – St. Louis and Lamar University, among others. Continue reading UTT’s Online Undergrad Nursing Programming Nationally Recognized

LONGVIEW — One person is dead following a weekend shooting in Longview. On Saturday morning at 1:15, officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of Martin Luther King Blvd. for a shots fired call. While officers were responding to that location another call came in from Good Shepherd Medical Center. An officer working off-duty there was told a shooting victim had just arrived in the emergency room. Police learned that 40-year-old Tarrence Lamond Booker, of Longview, was brought to the hospital by people at the scene of the shooting. Police were told there was an altercation between several men at the club and numerous shots were fired, with Booker being hit by gunfire at least one time. Booker had life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital as a result of those injuries. Continue reading One Dead after Weekend Shooting

TYLER – Two men are in custody in connection with several Tyler burglaries. It began shortly after 4:15 Sunday afternoon with a call of a burglary in progress in the 1400 block of South Chilton. A witness saw someone trying to break into a home and chased the suspect toward Bergfeld Park. Officers found the suspect hiding in the public restrooms. After a brief struggle the suspect, identified as Joseph Wilson, 19, of Tyler, was taken into custody. Continue reading Tyler Burglary Suspects Arrested