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TYLER –Tyler police Tuesday arrested a suspect in a robbery at the Dollar Tree on Highway 64 West. Store management told police a former employee, identified as Michael Jacob Pierce, came into the store to talk about employment. After discussing employment the manager told Pierce that she would give him a ride if he wanted to wait around. While the manager was in the safe, Pierce reportedly pushed her to the ground, took cash and fled on foot. Officers located Pierce a short time later. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a theft of property charge. Bond has not been set.

AUSTIN — The state is now expanding mental health services to help people in rural areas, including East Texas. Texas Health and Human Services is adding 13 new sites to help people experiencing early onset psychosis. This includes symptoms like hallucinations, delusions and confused thinking. Some of the locations are in North, East, and South Texas. The East Texas sites are Tyler’s Andrews Center and Community Healthcore in Longview.You can learn more about the services by calling 2-1-1.

TYLER — The creation of the Bergfeld Park Improvement Project began in March 2013. On Tuesday evening the splash pad takes center stage. The Bergfeld Park “Splasher” has its grand opening at 6:30 p.m. The original fountain opened in 1970. One of the upgrades is sensors that detect motion and activate water to shoot into the air. The dolphin in the pad has been restored, and signage and landscaping along South Broadway Avenue have all been improved in this phase. Tyler Parks and Recreation officials say they wanted to continue to provide an area where families can stay cool and enjoy time outdoors over summer. Tonight’s festivities are open to the public.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will begin a water meter audit and rehabilitation program in conjunction with Aqua-Metric. The work is scheduled to begin on Monday and continues throughout the summer months. The technicians will have the City of Tyler or the Aqua-Metric logo clearly displayed on their vehicles and will not need access inside the home or business. Technicians will notify residents when they arrive and the entire process should be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. The initial focus of the program will be in the southeast quadrant of the City.

GREGG COUNTY — A traffic stop Thursday, July 18, lands three Longview residents in the Gregg County Jail. According to the Department of Public Safety report, a State Trooper stopped a vehicle on FM 1845 for a traffic violation. A probable cause search was conducted after the driver was found to be in possession of narcotics paraphernalia. During the search, the Trooper found a bag containing methamphetamine, along with three glass pipes and a digital scale. Cory Peele, 39, and Melody Hawthorne, 44, were charged with manufacture/delivery of a substance. David Jowers, 33, was arrested on a felony evading warrant out of Gregg County.

WINNSBORO — Authorities say inmate Alvin Elliot has been recaptured after escaping Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the 25-year-old went missing at 8:15 a.m. and was caught after 4:00 Monday afternoon, two miles from where he was last seen. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says he is likely to face additional charges. Elliott apparently walked off a work site. Before his recapture, he had last been seen near CR 4400 in the Winnsboro area. He is a probationer assigned to the TDCJ Johnston Unit as a condition of his probation.

TYLER — An early morning robbery on Monday has Tyler police looking for 2 men. The clerk at the Murphy U.S.A. on South Town describes the suspects as 2 black males who had their faces covered. She says they entered the store with a hammer and crow bar. While one suspect went to the ATM the other got her away from the counter and put her on the ground. The two are described as forcing entry into the ATM. The suspects obtained the cash and fled the store on foot. Investigators were told by Murphy USA officials this is similar to what had occurred in Lufkin and Houston on other dates. If you have any information you are urged to contact Tyler police.

TYLER — A new center is in the works that will offer resources to thousands of Veterans throughout East Texas. CampV, a space covering 20 acres in Tyler, has a grand opening set for Veterans Day 2019. According to our news partner KETK, over 300,000 active military members, veterans and their families call East Texas home. CampV will integrate military and civilian resources into a centralized location. CampV is asking for help from the community. You can find out more info about how you can volunteer or donate click the link http://campvtyler.com/.

TYLER — Jeff Hassett recently joined Tyler Junior College as chief information officer, overseeing TJC’s Office of Technology Services. Hassett has more than 25 years of experience in the information technology field, including private sector experience in finance, manufacturing, insurance and healthcare industries as well as higher education for both private and public institutions. He previously served at Brigham Young University – Idaho, where he held roles of deputy CIO, chief information security officer and managing director of IT operations.

EAST TEXAS — A multi-county raid happened over the weekend. The investigation involved 13 different law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service. According to our news partner KETK, charges included engaging in organized criminal activity, money laundering, possession of gambling devices, and operating a gambling establishment. Units from Gregg and Smith County were among those involved in the operation. Over $70,000, four guns, and a stolen vehicle were seized in the bust.

TYLER — The Legacy Trails opening will be made official Monday at 6 p.m. You’re invited to join the City of Tyler, TxDOT, and others to celebrate the addition of more than four miles of newly paved hike, bike, and walking trails. According to a news release, the festivities include an inaugural walk, bike, or run on the new trail with the Tyler Police Department’s bike team. You can also cool off with a snow cone from Tropical Sno East TX. A short ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a walk, bike, or run of your choice. It all happens at the Legacy Trails Trailhead at Old Jacksonville Highway and Three Lakes Parkway. Officials encourage you to “Bring your family, friends and sneakers!”

TYLER — TxDOT is planning another week’s worth of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District. The district’s summer seal coat operations are in full swing. Monday, crews will be hitting FM 2204 from FM 2276 east to SH 322 in Gregg County. Tuesday and Wednesday it’s SH 42 from the Gregg County line south to FM 918 in New London. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through these and all work zones. Check https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/041-2019.html for a complete rundown of work throughout the district.

TYLER — A well-known Dallas real estate firm has bought a 543-acre tract at Loop 323 and Earl Campbell Parkway in Tyler, and Tyler Economic Development Council CEO Tom Mullins is praising the move. Provident Realty Advisors already has an interest in the Village at Cumberland Park. The newly-bought land is where development was recently proposed by a Chinese businessman who later abandoned his project. Mullins says Provident is discussing a mixed-use development including office and residential space. He also says the land has potential for a resort-style conference center/hotel — and that he would eventually like to see a large events center in the area, along with recreational investment. Continue reading Dallas Firm Buys 543-Acre West Tyler Property

TYLER — There’s still work to do as Tyler ISD prepares its Head Start program for another school year. In the face of widespread community concern, the district recently reversed an earlier decision to drop the program in favor of full-day pre-kindergarten. Monday, the school board is due to accept the resignation of Head Start director Stacy Miles, whose last day is July 31. There was no immediate word on who might take her place. Head Start is also listed as a discussion item on the board agenda. This past Thursday, the Tyler Loop, an Internet-based community information source, hosted a discussion of the issue at which residents were invited to share their concerns.

STEPHENVILLE — 16-year-old Marshall High School student/athlete Ketrevion Carter drowned Friday in Stephenville. According to our news partner KETK, Stephenville police say they got a call Friday night about a youth found unresponsive in the pool of an apartment complex. Bystanders and first responders attempted lifesaving efforts, but the teen was pronounced dead around 9:30 p.m. Police say the investigation is ongoing, but all evidence at this time indicates an accidental drowning with no foul play suspected. In a Facebook post, Marshall ISD wrote in part, “Thoughts and prayers from MISD to the family of incoming sophomore Ketrevion Carter…The Maverick Family stands with you during this difficult time.” Marshall Athletic Director and football coach Jake Griedl verified Carter was an offensive lineman on the football team.

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK, Gregg County jury duty has been canceled for Monday, July 22.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College’s Center for Earth & Space Science Education played a prominent role in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. On Saturday, the center hosted a full day of activities for all ages. Programs in the Hudnall Planetarium included moon-related dome shows and guest speakers. A special Moon Academy offered activities such as model rocket building. Lunar University, geared toward advanced students and adults, offered such items as a study of lunar rocks and a video presentation on the Apollo trajectory. A week earlier, TJC alumnus Charles R. Price discussed his 50 years of service as a NASA engineer, including his work on the Apollo 11 mission.

KILGORE — DPS troopers headed to the scene of a small plane crash Saturday evening at Airport Road and Norris Road in Kilgore. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark says the sole occupant was taken to Good Shepard Medical Center-Longview with non-life-threatening injuries. Dark says the FAA has been notified. She didn’t immediately release further information.

MALAKOFF — For one East Texas woman desperately looking for her late son’s dog, it’s an answered prayer. Thursday, Renee Peterson drove from her home in Malakoff to San Antonio after getting word that a family there may have had the dog, named Milo. After Peterson played an audio recording of her son’s voice, it became apparent that there was no doubt that the blue heeler puppy was indeed Milo. She said her son had trained Milo in German commands and this turned up in the recording. The family that took Milo in after he wandered onto their yard made ID tags with his name on them, in case the dog was Milo. On her way home, Peterson noticed that the family took it one step further. She said, “I noticed it said, ‘In loving memory, Ben Olson, always in my heart.'”

MARSHALL — Pre-k students at Marshall ISD will have all-day classes when the new school year starts. Communications director David Weaver says the only thing holding up the process was a facility that was too small to take on all the students all day long, so officials had to split the program into two sessions. Now the district is retrofitting a much larger school campus that’s been out of use for several years to house the all-day pre-k. Weaver says the extra hours of pre-k level instruction will be invaluable to Marshall’s youngest students.

KILGORE — Nearly 3 dozen young women realized hopes and dreams on Friday morning. 34 young ladies were selected as the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team. The announcement culminates a week long process of 91 “Hopefuls” vying for a position on the 80th Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make up the 70 member team. For more information, visit https://www.rangerette.com/media/press-releases/2019/rangerettes-select-80th-line

TYLER — The health science center has announced a three-year award of $750,000 from The Health Resources and Services Administration. It will establish a residency program in rural Northeast Texas. The goal is to increase rural mental health outcomes. The health science center was the only institution in Texas to receive the award. The new rural residency track will begin interviewing candidates in 2020. The new program will be hosted in Pittsburg, where the health science center says they have already experienced great success with their residency program for rural family medicine.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler signed a partnership with Kilgore College on Friday afternoon. With the alliance, undergraduate students admitted to the Kilgore College Associate Degree in Nursing program planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will be offered admission to UT Tyler, provided they meet admission requirements. The co-partnership will define a pathway for students to complete degrees at both institutions.

TYLER — A Smith County jury has found Colby Viers guilty of driving while intoxicated in his 3rd conviction of that offense. Viers was sentenced to 7 years in the Texas Department of Corrections. Court proceedings revealed that Viers was stopped for speeding by Bullard police when he admitted to drinking alcohol and subsequently failed a field sobriety test. At sentencing, the jury heard evidence of 2 prior DWI convictions, as well as other prior convictions including theft, evading, false report to a peace officer, and attempted burglary of a building.

TYLER — The 6th annual back to school event “#SchoolisCool” is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1 at Harvey Hall and the Rose Garden Center. The gathering helps children prepare for the new school year. Free backpacks filled with supplies are given to the first 2,000 school-aged children in line. The time is set for 4:30 p.m to 7:00 p.m. The committee is asking for donations and sponsorships from local businesses and organizations. Both monetary and supplies donations are needed. To donate or obtain a vendor application, visit http://www.SchoolisCoolTyler.com.

TYLER — A former T.K. Gorman assistant basketball coach accused of attempted sexual assault has a trial date August 19 . According to our news partner KETK, Jakeal Lockett, 25, was accused of breaking into a UT Tyler student’s apartment around 1:00 a.m. on February 24 and attempted to kiss her numerous times. Lockett was the middle school boy’s basketball coach and assistant varsity boy’s basketball coach at Bishop Gorman Catholic High School in Tyler. Lockett was arrested in March for assault and has since been held in the Smith County Jail on a $250,000 bond since that arrest. If convicted, Lockett will face five years to life in prison.

AUSTIN — On Thursday, Governor Abbott celebrated two East Texas-linked bills he signed into law in June. At two state capitol events, Abbott re-signed laws dealing with religious liberty and lemonade stands. The controversial “Chick-fil A Law” was authored by State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola. That law prevents local governments from discriminating against companies like Chick-fil-A due to its financial support of religious organizations. Abbott was surrounded by some of the children who testified before the state legislature earlier this year in favor of a law legalizing lemonade stands. That bill grew out of an Overton case, and Abbott called the measure common sense.

TYLER — Old Bullard Road in Tyler between Timberwilde Drive and Rice Road reopened on Thursday afternoon. According to Tyler City Officials the project involved the installation of three additional 5′ x 3′ concrete box culverts under Old Bullard Road among other items. Construction began in May and was scheduled through late September. The project was completed 5 weeks ahead of schedule.