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LONGVIEW — Two Longview residents died overnight Sunday in a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 20 that shut down westbound lanes through the city, authorities reported. According to the Longview News-Journal, driver Stelvin Lanier, age unknown, and Cheynice Lanier, 48, died in the wreck 1 mile east of Longview. It happened just after 1:00 Sunday morning. Passenger Patrick Lanier, 51, also of Longview, was listed in stable condition Sunday at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. The accident report indicated that the westbound 2008 SUV strayed into the median and rolled several times, ejecting the driver and a back-seat passenger.

TYLER – Four persons have been injured in two Tyler accidents. A woman is hospitalized after being struck by a car near the intersection of Walton Road and Rhinehart Street. The accident occurred shortly after 6:30 Sunday night. Three persons were said to have received minor injuries in an accident near the intersection of Loop 323 and Highway 31 West. That accident happened around 6:00 Sunday night. Both accidents remain under investigation.

PLANO (AP/Staff) – The oldest-ever member of the U.S. House, and a familiar face in East Texas, remains hospitalized after being injured in a weekend car accident in North Texas. A spokeswoman for Medical Center of Plano says Texas Republican Ralph Hall was in fair and stable condition on Sunday. A spokesman for Hall has said the lawmaker is expected to recover. Hall was airlifted to the hospital on Saturday after suffering a hip injury and minor cuts and bruises when a car turned in front of his vehicle. The drivers were not injured. The accident happened in the town of Trenton, about 60 miles northeast of Dallas. The 91-year-old congressman lost a 4th District primary challenge in a Republican runoff election in May and is scheduled to leave office in January. His district has covered varying portions of East Texas over the years and once included Tyler.

TYLER — At approximately 7:30 p.m. on October 2, Smith County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and detectives along with members of U. S. Marshals Task Force executed an arrest warrant on a sex offender at his residence on County Road 384 in the northeastern portion of Smith County. According to a news release, Nicholas George Heintz, 60, of Tyler, is accused of failure to register as a sex offender in Smith County. Officials say Heintz has gone by different names in the past such as John David Carver and Nicholas Vaughn Banner. He has a criminal history in California, Utah, Oregon, Arizona, and now, Texas. According to KETK, Heintz was jailed on $500,000 bond. Continue reading SCSO Helps in Sex Offender’s Arrest

CHAPEL HILL — After putting out a fire overnight, crews returned Friday morning to the scene of some oil tank blasts in Chapel Hill following a reported rekindle. According to KETK, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reports firefighters sprayed a foam over the flames and were able to extinguish the fire a second time. The tanks exploded and the fire began around 8:00 Thursday night, causing the area around the fire to be evacuated. The tanks are located at an oilfield near the intersection of Farm Road 2607 and County Road 223. There have been no reports of injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed it may have started from a lightning strike.

COLLEGE STATION (AP) – The Texas A&M Forest Service says forestry-driven and wood-based industries contribute $30.3 billion to the state economy. The service announced on Wednesday the findings of its economic assessment that drew from 2012 data. It says the forest sector supports more than 130,600 Texas jobs and is one of the top 10 manufacturing sectors in the state. The East Texas forest sector produced about $5.7 billion worth of goods and services in 2012 and supported nearly 19,000 jobs. An A&M forest economist says the sector has been steadily rebounding from the 2007-2009 recession.

QUITMAN — Thomas Liles, 19, of Quitman, has been released on a $50,000 bond. In July, two young girls were found dead inside an apartment unit at the Dogwood Villa in Quitman. Investigators tell KETK both deaths have been ruled homicides. Multiple witnesses told officers they saw Liles running from the complex that same day. They also saw him throw a “large item” into a dumpster near the building. Officers say those items were consistent with having come from the children’s apartment. Liles was indicted on September 3rd for tampering with evidence in connection to the girls’ deaths.

MARION COUNTY — Officials say remains found in a vehicle pulled from Lake O’ the Pines Friday are likely those of a person who has been missing since 1987. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Carlos Wilson said DPS received a call from a fisherman Thursday who said he found the vehicle in the water while fishing near Bullfrog Marina on the north side of the lake. Texas game wardens and the Marion County Dive Team began searching at about 10 a.m. and found the vehicle. A wrecker was able to pull the vehicle from the water. Continue reading Officials: Body Pulled from Lake Is Likely Person Missing since ’87

ATHENS — Former Eustace Police Chief Kenneth Gene Holder was indicted late Thursday by a Henderson County Grand Jury for theft of a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and tampering with a governmental document. KETK reports all three charges are felonies and carry a maximum prison time of 10 years. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, Holder turned himself in to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office early Friday afternoon after making $30,000 in surety bonds. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the department and its former chief by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers. Continue reading Former Eustace Police Chief Indicted on Three Charges

TYLER – As concerns continue over Ebola and enterovirus, Tyler ISD officials say the health and safety of all Tyler ISD students is a top priority for the district. With the recently reported cases of enterovirus and the Ebola virus in Dallas, Tyler ISD is addressing concerns regarding student travel for extracurricular activities to the Metroplex area. The district will keep an open line of communication with the schools in which Tyler ISD students interact during competitive events and will continue to monitor the situation, according to school officials. “We are acutely aware of the concerns parents may have about the potential threat of Ebola,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “We want to reassure parents that we are in communication with the health officials on this matter. The best course of action at this time is for students to practice good hygiene habits.” Continue reading Tyler ISD Reassures Parents of Students’ Health and Safety

TROUP — One person was killed early Friday morning when a vehicle hit a tree and caught fire off Highway 110 in Cherokee County near Troup. According to KETK, DPS said the one-vehicle crash happened around 1 a.m. off 110 near the intersection of County Road 4701. The driver, Blake Larrew, 28, of Tyler, was turning left onto 4701 during wet road conditions when he failed to make the turn. His car left the right side of the road and struck a tree, catching fire. At 3:12 a.m., Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Vera Foreman pronounced Larrew dead at the scene. The body was take to Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home in Troup. It’s unknown if the driver was wearing a seatbelt during the wreck.

KILGORE — The woman who was killed in a wreck on Highway 31 near Kilgore Thursday morning has been identified by Department of Public Safety officials. According to KETK, Trooper Jean Dark says at 10:13 a.m., Charlotte Logsdon, 52, of Overton, was headed south when she drove under a semi’s trailer. The 18-wheeler had crossed two lanes and was waiting to turn left onto 31 when Logsdon’s car hit the semi’s back end, resting in the south lanes. Continue reading Highway 31 Wreck Victim Identified

LONGVIEW — Longview police release disturbing details about carnage allegedly planned by a Pine Tree High School student. 17-year-old Christopher Jones was arrested Monday after a tipster told federal agents he was threatening to carry out a shooting at the school. KETK reports that during a search of Jones’s house, the FBI seized 17 firearms, two 26-inch swords, brass knuckles, two computers, and two flash drives. A search warrant on Jones’s smartphone also revealed three other people were involved in plans to carry out the shooting, according to authorities. Jones wouldn’t reveal the names of the other three people and later told officers no one else was involved. Records show Jones was released from the Gregg County Jail on bond.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas woman who beat her children with a computer cord has been sentenced to prison. Shadondra Jenkins was sentenced to 9 years after pleading guilty to two felony charges of injury to a child. She was arrested in August 2013 after police say she whipped her 13-year-old daughter who accidentally burned food she was preparing for the family. They say her 8-year-old son was similarly abused. The judge told Jenkins she was spared the maximum sentence because the guilty plea saved her children from having to testify.

TYLER – A Gregg County man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Antonio Cortez Gonzales, 35, of Longview, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Gonzales faces up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. Federal prosecutors say on August 19, 2013, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Gonzales’ Longview residence. The search revealed 150 grams of cocaine, 6.5 kilograms of marijuana, empty wrappers for kilogram quantities of cocaine, guns and ammunition. Further investigation revealed kilograms of cocaine were being transported from Houston to Gonzales in Longview for distribution to others. A federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment on April 23, 2014, charging Gonzales and 17 others with drug trafficking violations.

TYLER (Staff/AP) – In federal court in Tyler, A 54-year-old McKinney, Texas photographer has pleaded guilty to child exploitation charges. Todd Fleming pleaded guilty Thursday to sexual exploitation of children in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. Officials say Fleming took senior photos and other images for some Tyler Independent School District students from 1999 to 2007 and coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Fleming was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 17, 2013 and charged with child exploitation violations. Continue reading Photographer Pleads Gulty to Child Exploitation Charges

TYLER – A Van Zandt County man has pleaded guilty to federal income tax violations. Bruce Steven Martin, 48, of Edgewood, pleaded guilty to willfully failing to file a federal tax return when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Don D. Bush. Martin, who pled guilty last month, appeared before Judge Bush Thursday for a detention hearing and was ordered to be detained. According to information presented in court, Martin admitted to receiving income during calendar year 2010 and willfully failing to file an income tax return with the internal Revenue Service. Martin was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 13, 2013. After he missed several court appearances, he was ordered to be detained. Martin faces up to 12 months in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office released more details concerning a body found early last month. The human remains were discovered between Alto and Wells on U.S. Highway 69. It was found a couple of miles north of the intersection of Highway 69 and Farm Road 1911. When an autopsy was inconclusive, the remains were sent to the UNT Center for Human Identification in Denton. Captain John Raffield says a report from the center indicated the remains are believed to be that of a White or Hispanic female between 35-55 years of age; between 4′ 11″ and 5′ 7″ tall, and possible natural hair color of dark blonde or light brown. Continue reading New Details on Cherokee County Human Remains

MARSHALL – A man accused of a hatchet attack at a Marshall Wal-Mart has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. The bench trial for Christopher Lynn Hamilton, was held Thursday. The attacks occurred last December. Marshall police Detective Sonya Johnson said that Hamilton, a transient of Crawford, Arkansas, allegedly had the hatchet with him when he entered the store. Two female workers and a male shopper were attacked. Both store employees received minor injuries. The customer was slightly hurt trying to help the workers and he didn’t seek medical help. Hamilton fled the store following the attack. He was found in a wooded area near the store. Continue reading Hatchet Attack Suspect Ruled Not Guilty, Insanity

LONGVIEW – A Longview couple are the victims of the fake grandson scam. On September 30th, the couple, in their 80s, received a total of ten calls from a private number. The caller pretended to be their grandson, who lives in Austin. The imposter claimed that he had been arrested for a DUI and needed money to get out of jail. He claimed that his lawyer “Daniel Trout” could be reached at 438-346-2025. Daniel instructed them to go to Kroger, get Money Pack cards, load them with money, then call him back and give him the numbers on the back of the cards. Before realizing that this was a scam, did as instructed, and ended up losing a large sum of money. Continue reading Longview Couple Conned Out of Thousands of Dollars

ATHENS — Two Henderson County residents were arrested Tuesday during a drug raid in Athens. According to KETK, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office says deputies obtained a search warrant for a home to look for narcotics. At 2 p.m., both deputies and Athens police officers executed the warrant. During the raid, authorities say they seized suspected marijuana, Xanax bars, and crack cocaine. The suspected drugs will be sent to the crime lab for confirmation. Continue reading Two Nabbed in Athens Drug Raid

WILLS POINT — An East Texas high school is in mourning after a car accident claimed the life of a student. Wills Point High School senior Austin Fields was killed in a wreck Wednesday night. According to the Department of Public Safety report, Fields was driving on Highway 64 south of Wills Points around 10:30. Preliminary reports indicate Fields, who was driving a 1996 Ford Mustang, tried to pass another vehicle, went off the road and hit a tree. Fields died at the scene. WPISD Superintendent Suzanne Blasingame told KETK, “Austin was an escort for the Wills Point drill team and was a member of the Tiger basketball team. We are all grieving the loss of Austin and we met with the senior class to tell them about the accident (Thursday) morning. We are a family at Wills Point ISD and this senior class is very close. They are suffering this loss and we are doing the best we can to help them cope with it. I can’t express how sad we are for his family and our students.” Continue reading Wills Point Teen Dies in Accident

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office together get more than $500,000 from a drug investigation in Bexar County. KETK reports it all began when Smith County deputies pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 20. They found $60,000 in cash, which was then handled by the DA’s Office. Then the drug probe began in Bexar County, ultimately seizing more than $6 million. Due to local agreements, both the Sheriff’s Office and DA’s office in Smith County were able to get a cut. Continue reading Drug Probe Brings Smith County over $500,000

MARSHALL — Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department are seeking information on the theft of 12 head of livestock, three saddles, seven bridles, and several tools. According to KETK, officials say they were stolen from a Harrison County cattle ranch sometime between Monday and Tuesday of this week. According to Hand, the 12 head of yearling cattle were penned late on Monday at a cattle ranch located off US 59, south of Marshall. The victim planned to ship the cattle Tuesday. The unknown suspect(s) conducted a forced entry onto the ranch. Continue reading Authorities Searching for Cattle Theft Suspects

LONGVIEW — More information is coming out and more is anticipated following alleged online terroristic threats by a Pine Tree student. Released on a $10,000 bond following his Monday arrest was Christopher Jones, 17. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Jones (pictured) allegedly made a threat planning a shooting at Pine Tree High School. School district spokesperson Mary Whitton said Thursday, “We believe in the next 48 hours more information will be forthcoming by law enforcement agencies which may be quite disturbing. The district will continue to work with law enforcement and assist as requested.” Continue reading Officials Anticipate New Information on Alleged Pine Tree Threats

LONGVIEW — A jury in Longview needed about an hour Wednesday to convict Shaun Antonio Thompson of felony assault for threatening a police officer with a shotgun at a Longview apartment complex in August 2013, according to the Longview News-Journal. Thompson, 27, was shot three times by an officer after pointing a gun at the lawman. The officer was exonerated in the shooting by a Texas Ranger, who instead filed a formal complaint against Thompson. The defendant faced a lesser charge of aggravated assault, which would have put the penalty range at two to 20 years. He now faces up to life in prison on the first-degree conviction and will be sentenced on Nov. 3. The judge also raised Thompson’s bail from $50,000 to $75,000 Wednesday.

LUFKIN – Angelina County Commissioner Robert Lewis Loggins, 54, has been indicted by a grand jury for using county equipment for personal reasons. The precinct 3 county commissioner is charged with two counts of misdemeanor A, abuse of official capacity. His bonds total $1,500.Loggins had been accused of using county equipment on his daughter’s land.

TYLER — The 99th annual East Texas State Fair was BIG. Total attendance was 249,701 which represents a 25.7% increase over 2013. This is the largest crowd since the economic downturn in 2008. The Fair broke records in several categories. Food sales were up 18.4%. Carnival ridership was up 35.2%. Livestock show entries were up 1.6%. The best success indicator according to John Sykes, President of The Park of East Texas, was children’s ticket sales. Those sales were up 24.1%. Continue reading East Texas State Fair Breaks Records

HENDERSON — There was a rise in misdemeanor arrests in Rusk County over the weekend, most of those for marijuana possession. According to KETK and the Henderson Daily News, the sheriff says there’s no specific reason for the increase, since the cases were just what officials call routine traffic stops.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith has promoted a new jail captain and assistant jail administrator. He issued a statement on the evening of Tuesday, September 30, 2014, affirming that effective October 1, 2014, Lieutenant Tobby Hughes is promoted to the rank of Captain and will also be classified as the Assistant Jail Administrator. “Captain Hughes will have my full support as we continue to move forward at the Smith County Jail,” says Smith. Continue reading Assistant Jail Administrator Promoted