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LONGVIEW – If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Longview’s Dalton Days is a family adventure. The activities were inspired initially by the story of a bank robbery. It has evolved into a celebration of our western heritage and has become a fun, family friendly tradition. Saturday’s activities start that morning at 10:00 with a bang. It’s the first of four reenactments of the infamous bank robbery in 1894. Then there’s western entertainment. There are exhibits, such as a blacksmith, soap maker, wood craftsman, chuck wagon demonstrations, root beer saloon and many others. The Dalton Day activities will be held downtown in front of the Gregg County Historical Museum and are free to the public.

LONGVIEW – A busy Longview street, that had been closed, has reopened. High Street had been closed in both directions from Nelson Street to South Street because of a gas leak. Workers have repaired the leak and the road was reopened.

KILGORE – A third person has been arrested in connection with a recent shooting in Kilgore. Xiavier Epps, 21, of Ore City, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond was set at $150,000. Previously arrested were Isaiah Orange, 17, of Kilgore. He is charged with aggravated robbery and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $153,500. Treylon Stephenson, 18, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $100,000. Their arrests stem from a shooting earlier this week on Miles Street. The shooting occurred during a dispute between two groups. One of the shots hit an 18 year old woman in the neck.

MARSHALL – Funeral services have been scheduled for Marshall school trustee Barbara Carraway Alexander. She died at her home Tuesday afternoon following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 13, at the Texas & Louisiana Baptist Association Building in Marshall. Viewing will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, April 12, at Peoples Funeral Home in Marshall. Burial will be in Marshall’s Rosehill Gardens Cemetery. She would have celebrated her 69th birthday on Friday, April 5th. She represented District 2 on the Marshall school board, serving two terms on the board. The first was from 1990 to 2004. She was currently in her second term, which started in 2011.

HOUSTON – A judge has ruled that a Henderson County animal shelter can keep a tiger that was rescued from an abandoned Houston home. The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison has looked after the tiger since February. That’s when when some people entered a house to smoke marijuana and found the big cat. The 350 pound tiger was improperly secured in a small cage, and was sitting on hay and its own waste. The Houston Chronicle reports that the judge ordered the tiger’s owner to pay about $11,600 to cover the cost of the tiger’s care. Houston police have filed a civil lawsuit accusing Brittany Garza of animal cruelty. She refuses to explain how she obtained the tiger.

TYLER – The 35 Annual Taste of Tyler comes to Harvey Hall this evening from 6:30 to 8:30. You will be able to sample the food and beverages with around 60 Tyler restaurants participating this year. Along with the food and drink there will also be live entertainment provided by the Tuxedo Cats. If any tickets remain they will be available at the door for $30. This city-wide event raises money to support East Texas culinary and hospitality students.The Taste of Tyler hosted by the East Texas Restaurant Association.

LAIRD HILL – One person has been arrested in connection with a burglary that turned into a Rusk County homicide. Last Friday, Griselda Contreras, 41, the mother of five, was shot to death in her Laird Hill home. Investigators tell our news partner KETK, a man took a picture of a car parked in the area about the time of the killing. After putting the picture on Facebook, they started getting calls, which led them to Dylan Page Rachal, 19. Word is, he planned to steal a PlayStation 4 and a gun, but something went wrong. He has been arrested and charged with capital murder. He is in the Rusk County Jail under a $1,500,000 bond.

MARSHALL – A suspect in a Marshall shooting is in custody in Louisiana. Derrick Dewayne Johnson, 30, turned himself into the Bossier City Police Department on Wednesday. He was wanted in a Monday night shooting that occurred near the intersection of Dogan and Winston streets in Marshall. The warrant affidavit said that Johnson intentionally fired into a vehicle, injuring Savannah Carpenter, 17, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Johnson is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

SMITH COUNTY — A San Antonio area man convicted of criminally negligent homicide is seeking an appeal of his conviction. According to our news partner KETK, in December 2017, James Fulton, 43, of Bulverde, was convicted in connection with the death of Haile Beasley, 21, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Fulton’s attorney is looking to overturn the conviction of criminally negligent homicide and grant a new sentencing trial. On the night of May 14, 2016, Fulton’s truck hit Beasley’s car head-on in the eastbound lanes of Grande Boulevard in Tyler. Continue reading Man Convicted of Criminally Negligent Homicide Seeking Appeal

BEAUMONT – A federal grand jury in Beaumont has indicted an Upshur County man on child exploitation charges. He is Jeremy OKieth Kyle, 38, of Ore City. He also goes by the names of Corey Webster and Rick. The indictment charges him with coercion and enticement, sexual exploitation of children, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual contact, and penalties for registered sex offenders. The indictment says that on various dates in 2016 and 2018, Kyle, a convicted sex offender, is said to have committed numerous offenses against minor girls. If convicted of all counts, Kyle will receive life in federal prison.

TYLER – An East Texas bank has been named one of the best companies to work for in the state. Austin Bank was honored at the Texas Association of Business Awards dinner in Austin. This is the 11th consecutive year for Austin Bank to receive this award. Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The 2019 list is comprised of 100 companies which benefit the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. Austin Bank ranked #18 in the medium sized company category. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Austin bank has over 480 employees in 33 locations, 24 cities and twelve counties.

TYLER – One of several events leading up to CityFest East Texas is the RE:NEW Gathering Thursday at Green Acres Baptist Church. Over 220 churches are preparing for CityFest, scheduled for October 5 and 6 in downtown Tyler and featuring evangelist Andrew Palau of the Luis Palau Association. According to a news release, the RE:NEW Gathering “is expected to host thousands of people for a special night of inspiration, prayer, worship, and unity.” The free event will start at 7 p.m. You can go to http://www.cityfest.org/renew to reserve tickets. Visit http://www.cityfest.org to learn more about CityFest East Texas, and click on http://www.palau.org to learn more about the Luis Palau Association.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed 14 persons to the Texas Health Services Authority Board Of Directors. The two Tyler residents named to the panel are Paula Anthony-McMann and Dr. Jerome Lisk. McMann is the Chief Strategy Officer for UT Health East Texas. Dr. Lisk is is the director of Movement Disorders at the Neurological Institute at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. The Texas Health Services Authority is responsible for coordinating the implementation of health information exchange in Texas. These appointments are subject to senate confirmation.

MARSHALL – A member of the Marshall school board his died. Long time school trustee Barbara Carraway Alexander died at her home Tuesday afternoon following a lengthy illness. She would have celebrated her 69th birthday on Friday. She represented District 2 on the Marshall school board. She has served two terms on the board. The first was from 1990 to 2004. She was currently in her second term, which started in 2011. Funeral services are pending.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an accused sex offender. And they are asking for the public’s help in locating him. He is James Anderson, 55. He is described as 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 314 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair. He has multiple tattoos on both arms. A warrant is out for his arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child. He is said to have sexually assaulted the child numerous times. If you know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the sheriff’s department our your local law enforcement agency.

TYLER — A controversial project planned for South Tyler was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, more than 300 acres owned by the Genecov Group was re-zoned. The development is near West Cumberland Road and Maple Street. It’s received a lot of push-back from those who live nearby. The plan now goes to the city Council for discussion.

TYLER – A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to making false statements to get a passport. Baltazar Arrieta-Lara, 52, a resident of Henderson, entered the guilty plea in federal court in Tyler on Tuesday. He has been living in the U.S. since 2002 without legal status. He is said to have obtained information about a U.S. citizen and fraudulently used it to obtain various documents, including a U.S. passport. Federal authorities discovered the problem when he tried to renew his passport. He could get up to ten years in federal prison at his sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.

MT. SELMAN – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man they describe as armed and dangerous. He is Bryan Heath Cannon, 33. He is wanted for aggravated kidnapping – family violence. It is said to have stemmed from an incident in the Mt. Selman area early Tuesday morning. He is thought to have fled from his residence in the Mt. Selman area shortly before law enforcement arrived. If you see Cannon, you are urged not to approach him. If you see him, or know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or the nearest law enforcement agency.

KILGORE – Two persons have been arrested in connection with the Monday night shooting of an 18 year old woman on Miles Street. Isaiah Orange, 17, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated robbery and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $153,500. Treylon Stephenson, 18, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $100,000. Kilgore police say they are anticipating more arrest soon. Continue reading Two Charged in Kilgore Shooting.

MARSHALL – A teen was taken to a Marshall hospital following a Monday night shooting. Lt. Len Ames said her injuries were non-life-threatening. The shooting occurred at the intersection of Winston and Dogan streets shortly after 10:15pm. The investigation is ongoing.

MARSHALL – Marshall police continue their investigation into a man’s death. The body of Johnathan Bennett, 30, was found by a relative in a home on Bledsoe Street on March 24th. As they do with any unattended death, it is being investigated as a homicide. A justice of the peace has ordered an autopsy. So far, an official autopsy report has not been released.

KILGORE – There is now a new incentive to go to Kilgore College. You could win a new car. Top fuel dragster Steve Torrence was on campus Tuesday to announce a new program. Called “Cruise for Success,” it allows qualifying KC students to earn points during the school year for a chance to win a brand new Chevy Cruze, sponsored by Patterson Chevrolet in Kilgore. The new program starts in August. You can go to http://www.kilgore.edu/cruiseforsuccess for more details on contest, eligibility requirements and how students can earn points toward the car and other prizes.

LONGVIEW – A man, who has pleaded guilty to kidnappings that resulted in murder, has drawn a long prison sentence. A Longview jury deliberated around two hours Monday before finding Craig Davison, 53, of Hallsville, guilty of two counts of aggravated kidnapping. He was later sentenced to 54 years in prison. He is said to have assisted in the kidnapping of Kevin Lorenzo Stephenson, 28, of Henderson, and Dekeilen Joe Nelson, 20, of Gilmer, in March of 2016. They were both shot execution-style and bodies were dumped near the railroad tracks off Estes Parkway. Two other persons were also arrested in the case. One is serving a life prison sentence and one has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three persons to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board Of Regents. The governor reappointed David Alders to the post. He also appointed to the board Judy Olson of Conroe and Jennifer Winston of Lufkin. Their terms are set to expire on January 31, 2025. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

AUSTIN –The 2016 election brought us “fake news,” but what we will see in 2020 will be a lot worse — and the Texas Legislature is trying to get ahead of it, with an East Texan leading the charge. It’s called a “deep fake.” It is a video produced using artificial intelligence that makes it very convincingly appear that a person is saying something outrageous — like Donald Trump endorsing the Green New Deal. East Texas state Senator Bryan Hughes says his bill would punish any candidates or activists who post “deep fake” videos within 30 days of the election. Hughes says the bill would “allow us to hold that person accountable criminally and hopefully deter someone from doing this in the future.” But since deep fakes are so hard to spot, some senators asked whether the law would be used by candidates to make allegations against an opponent right before Election Day.

HARRISON COUNTY — A fiery wreck on I-20 in Harrison County leaves three people dead, one injured. The two vehicle crash happened just after 11:00 Monday night on I-20 east, about 8 miles east of Marshall. According to the Department of Public Safety, a semi-trailer was traveling east when it was struck by an eastbound car. The impact caused the car to flip, landing upside down, and catching on fire. The front passenger and the two rear passengers were killed in the wreck. The driver was transported to LSU Health in Shreveport in serious condition. Names have not been released. An investigation is underway.

EAST TEXAS – A juvenile has been arrested in connection with social media threats against area high schools. Through the work of numerous agencies, the juvenile was identified. Working with the Rusk County DA’s Office, a pick up order was signed by the Judge Chad Dean. The suspect was arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and released to Rusk County juvenile authorities. Despite the threat being deemed not credible, there were extra security precautions taken Monday at all five school districts involved — Henderson, Overton, West Rusk, Chapel Hill, and Kilgore. Classes were in session as normal on Monday in all five districts. Continue reading Social Media Threat Suspect Arrested

TYLER – A Van Zandt County Jail captain is free on bond today after her arrest. Captain Winnifred Boles, 54, of Ben Wheeler, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. She was booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday, then released on a $50,000 bond. According to a statement from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department, “The matter was turned over to the Texas Rangers for independent investigation.”

ABILENE – And East Texas fisherman has landed the last ‘Legacy Class’ ShareLunker of 2019. Brad Scott of Gun Barrel City caught the lunker bass on Lake Leon near Abilene during the final weekend of the 2019 donation season. The lunker entered in the Toyota ShareLunker program is the first ever caught in Lake Leon. The fish weighed in at exactly 13 pounds, the absolute minimum requirement for a “Legacy Class” ShareLunker entry. Although the “Legacy Class” donation season has ended, anglers can still enter their 8 pound or larger largemouth bass catches into the Toyota ShareLunker Program through December 31.