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LONGVIEW – The Longview Municipal Court is offering a warrant amnesty program in an effort to clear outstanding warrants. When a person comes in voluntarily and either pays in full or pays a minimum of half the total amount due and starts a payment plan for the balance owed, all warrant fees will be removed. You can save an additional 20% off the fine amount. The percentage savings is only on the fine, not the court costs. And, if you see them now, they will lift the warrants and give you an extension of time to pay. This way you can use your income tax refund to pay the fine. The amnesty program will run through the end of next month.

TYLER – Two persons have been arrested after two suspected gambling operations are raided in Smith County. Dilshad Ali, 58, and Salin Hussain, 65, were placed under bonds of $150,00 each for keeping a gambling place, gambling promotion, and possession of gambling devices and equipment. Their arrests follow raids at the Minute Stop Valero gas station as well as the Express Beer and Wine store, both on Highway 64 west. Deputies seized 11 gaming machines and money, issued 6 citations. They also served a warrant at a residence on Heritage Drive looking for financial records. Continue reading Two Arrested following Game Room Raid

EAST TEXAS — A bill named after an East Texas woman will now make its way to the desk of President Donald Trump. Early Friday morning, H.R. 582, the Kari’s Law Act of 2017, filed by Rep. Louis Gohmert was approved by the United States House of Representatives, an almost definite sign the bill will now become law. Introduced first in 2015, Kari’s Law of 2017 will ensure anyone who dials 911 can reach emergency personnel even if the phone typically requires the user to dial a prefix such as “9” or “7” to reach an outside line. The bill is named in memory of Kari Hunt Dunn who was fatally stabbed in December 2013 by her estranged husband in a Marshall hotel room. Continue reading Kari’s Law becomes U.S. Statute on Birthday of Namesake

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A traffic stop in Van Zandt County turned into a huge drug bust. Authorities said they stopped a car headed westbound on I-20 Thursday night. Once they investigated the car they found two pounds of heroin. According to KETK, police were lead to a home a short distance away from the stop where they discovered 33 pounds of heroin worth almost $3,000,000 and nearly $20,000 cash in the house. Authorities said they arrested several people as suspects in the case. They have not been identified.

PALESTINE – A Palestine man is accused of making a bomb threat. Charged with making a false report or alarm is John Arthur Stephens Jr., 35. Employees with Metro PCS told officers Stephens came into the store on Crockett Road wanting to disconnect his phone. They said that Stephens said that a bomb would be delivered to the store. He then left. Officers found Stephens in a nearby parking lot and arrested him. He was booked into the Anderson County Jail.

TYLER – The Women’s Fund of Smith County awarded four high-impact grants at its 2018 Grants Announcement Reception Thursday evening. Grants totaling $298,457 were presented to nonprofit programs which benefit women and children in Smith County. The Women’s Fund of Smith County was created in 2007. As members of the organization, more than 250 women benefit from education on community needs and best practices in philanthropy, as well as by participating in the annual grants process. Continue reading Women’s Fund Announces 2018 Grants

TYLER – A suspect has been arrested in a Tyler robbery. Cornelius Andre Brown, 37, of Tyler was arrested Wednesday night after the car he was in was stopped on Park Street. He is accused of the robbery of the Valero station on Tyler’s West Southwest Loop around 7:30 Wednesday night. a man is said to have entered the store, stole several music CD’s and t-shirts and then ran out and got into a car. The clerk took a photo of the suspect’s license plate. When the car was stopped, Brown had items taken from the robbery in his possession and confessed to the crime. Continue reading Tyler Robbery Suspect in Jail

TYLER – A Tyler man, severely burned when his clothing caught fire, has died. Family members of Otis Brown, 90, tell KETK, he died at in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He was burned around 4:00 Wednesday afternoon at a home on North Border Avenue. Police say Brown was standing too close to a space heater when the trench coat he was wearing caught fire. He then started running through the house and into the yard where a neighbor saw him and called for help. He suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over half of his body.

TYLER – A man’s request for a new trial is being denied. James Arthur Fulton, 42, Bulverde wanted a new trial in the death of Haile Beasley, 21, of Tyler. On Wednesday State District Judge Jack Skeen approved Fulton’s request for a new attorney. But, during a Thursday hearing, the judge rejected Fulton’s request for a new trial. Fulton had wanted a new trial because he says evidence that the prosecutors had was not made available to his defense team. Two months ago, Fulton was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the wreck that killed Beasley. Continue reading No New Trial for a Man Convicted of Criminally Negligent Homicide

San Antonio – The Heartland National TB Center in San Antonio, part of UT Health Northeast in Tyler, has been awarded a 5-year, $6.7 million grant by the Centers for Disease Control. The center was also selected as one of four TB Centers of Excellence in the U.S. The center works through education to reach the CDC’s goal of preventing, treating, and controlling tuberculosis (TB) and tuberculosis infection. Continue reading Heartland National TB Center Receives Grant

LONGVIEW – A narcotics search warrant served at a Longview house has resulted in the arrest of three persons. Arrested were Brenda Carol Smith, 51, David Ray Click, 59, and Paul Douglas Cash, 35, all from Longview. All three were booked into the Gregg County jail. They face a variety of dug charges. During the search of the house officers seized, 84.8 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, money, and a loaded handgun.

TYLER – Some new police cars are staring to appear on Tyler streets. There are 13 new 2018 Dodge Chargers, decked out with newly designed striping. The new graphics will include the departmental badge, larger “Tyler Police” lettering and improved reflectivity for visibility. Not only will the vehicles have a new look, but also include enhanced technology features meant to increase safety and efficiency for the officers. This new vehicle branding will be phased in over the next three years with all newly purchased Tyler police vehicles being outfitted with the new striping package. The last time they made a striping update was in the late ‘90s. Police chief Jimmy Toler said, “It’s time for an upgrade.”

JACKSONVILLE – A wanted fugitive, who had evaded arrest on several occasions, has been arrested by Jacksonville police. Devante Johnson, 25, was arrested Wednesday by officers acting on an anonymous tip. He fled out the back door of a home on Earl Street. As he ran through the neighborhood he ran through a house and jumped through a closed glass window. As he tried to jump a fence, he was arrested with the help of a police dog. After being treated at the hospital, he was booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Besides several warrants, he’s facing additional charges from an ongoing investigation.

MABANK – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office expects to make arrests after an 18-month-old was shot in the face. According to KETK, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says his office will pursue arrests warrants on unnamed individuals. The criminal charges cannot be brought until at least seven days after the incident, according to a Texas Penal Code provision dealing with making a firearm accessible to a child. The child was shot Monday around 11:30 a.m. in the Mabank area. At last report, the child was doing well and recovering at Children’s Hospital in Dallas.

MARSHALL – A million dollar east Texas home has been destroyed by fire. The fire in the 10,000 square foot home on Forest Trail was reported shortly before 4:15 Wednesday morning. At one time, every on duty member of the Marshall Fire Department were on the scene. Fire Chief Reggie Cooper said, “Firefighters were initially able to make an interior attack, however, due to the fire’s intensity, were unable to extinguish the blaze. You can judge the intensity of the fire from the picture made by the Marshall Fire Department. All occupants were out of the house and there were no injuries.” The $1.39 million home was reduced to ashes. They are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. Initial reports indicated intense lightning in the area at the time, and that may be the cause of the fire.

CLEAR CREEK – A southeast Texas school system is naming their sports facility after a coach and John Tyler graduate who was killed while helping rescue people during Hurricane Harvey. The Clear Creek school board unanimously approved the recommendation to name a Clear Creek High School spring sports building after Coach Ruben Jordan. According to a posting on the school district’s web page, The building will bear the name Ruben C. Jordan Spring Sports Facility to honor to the coach who was beloved throughout Clear Creek High School, CCISD and the community as a whole. He had many successes as a football, track and cross country coach for 30 years at Creek before announcing his retirement in 2016. They will soon be announcing a date for a dedication ceremony.

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University’s total Spring 2018 enrollment of 2,944 is the highest it has been in the past several years. It has increased nearly 14% since Spring 2015. Graduate enrollments are 377, and high school dual enrollment has grown to 786, up nearly 347% in the past three years. LETU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a wide range of disciplines and delivery models at LETU’s residential campus in Longview and at centers in Plano, McKinney and Houston.

NACOGDOCHES – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports a total of 30 acres of invasive giant salvinia have been found in various locations at Lake Nacogdoches. Within days of the discovery of a half-acre of giant salvinia at the Yellow Bank Creek cove, a larger infestation was found where Little Bayou Loco enters the reservoir. Those areas will be treated with a combination of giant salvinia weevils and careful application of contact herbicide on larger mats of the invasive plant. It’s likely the plant traveled to Lake Nacogdoches by way of a visiting watercraft last summer. This is similar to the most recent infestation at Lake Fork, staff believe there is enough giant salvinia scattered throughout the lake that eradication would be almost impossible at this point. Continue reading Giant Salvinia Found In Another Area Lake

AUSTIN – Area sales tax allocations from the state continues to outpace last year’s numbers. The state comptrollers office is sending out $911.9 million in local sales tax allocations for February. This is just over 6% more than in February of last year. These allocations are based on sales made in December. Tyler’s February allocation tops $4.4 million, which is an increase of just ove two and a half percent. For the year, Tyler has received over $7.8 million. This is a nearly 3.7% increase over the first to months of last year. Longview’s February check is for over $3.3 million, or a 3.3% increase. For the year, Longview has received nearly $6 million, for an increase of nearly six and a half percent.

AUSTIN – A Harrison County residents is one of five persons named by the governor to the Texas Commission on the Arts. She is Karen Partee of Marshall, who is executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Texas Bank and Trust Company. Her term is set to expire August 31st, 2019. The commission fosters the development of a receptive climate for the arts that will culturally enrich and benefit state citizens in their daily lives and attract outstanding artist to become state residents. Partee is a past president and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Longview a member of the Longview Regional Medical Centers Women’s Advisory Council, and the Longview Ballet Advisory Board.

TYLER — Smith County Engineer Frank Davis has plans for several road bond projects to be done in the next couple of months. During Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Davis gave the second monthly report on the progress of the $39.5 million bond approved by voters in November. Four roads in the Bullard area are pegged for reconstruction and overlay in February. They include County Roads 113, 119, 121, and 152. Continue reading Smith County Road Bond Projects Planned

MARSHALL — The Marshall Fire Department is investigating a Wednesday morning structure fire possibly caused by lightning. According to KETK, it was reported just after 4:00 on Forest Trail. The home was a total loss. All occupants were out of the house and no injuries were reported. Fire Marshal Reggie Cooper said, “Though the investigation is ongoing and will be detailed, preliminary reports indicate intense lightning in the area.”

PALESTINE – A Palestine teacher has been arrested. Detectives arrested Samantha Woolverton, 32, at her home on Tuesday. Woolverton has been transported to the Anderson County jail and booked on the charge of improper relationship between educator and Student, a second-degree felony. The investigation is ongoing.

TROUP – Smith County Road 2180, off of Mixon Road near Troup, has been reopened after county road and bridge crews replaced a culvert. The section of the road between County Road 2181 and Farm Road 344, was closed on Monday. The work was expected to take a few days, but was completed on Tuesday. County crews also did some tree removal work while in the area.

MARSHALL – Two-time Academy award winner Denzel Washington has pledged to renew a $1 million gift to Wiley College to continue his funding of its debate program. Washington first donated $1 million to the school in 2007 to support the re-establishment of its program. It had been inactive since the early 1900s, when it was led by English professor and poet, Melvin B. Tolson. Washington starred in and directed the film, “The Great Debaters,” which chronicled the history of the team under Tolson’s mentoring and coaching. Continue reading Denzel Washington Renews His Gift to Wiley College

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University has been named as one of the top four-year colleges and universities in the nation for providing dynamic pathways to support transfer students from community colleges. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society named LETU to its 2018 Transfer Honor Roll, and will recognize the school at the organization’s annual convention in April in Kansas City, Missouri.

MARSHALL – East Texas Baptist University has exceeded the School of Nursing Campaign goal of $1.8 million with the support of over 180 donors for a total of more than $2.3 million. The University intends to start construction this summer in anticipation of relocating the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand in the spring semester of 2019. “ETBU looks forward to seeing scores of students, staff, and faculty using the Marshall Grand,” said school President J. Blair Blackburn. “With the University’s presence in Downtown Marshall, our local businesses will benefit from the impact on economic development.”

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Troup during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. The presentation came from Troup Mayor Joe Carlyle, who is proud of the city he grew up in and still calls his home. Since serving Troup, Carlyle has seen many changes, including the city becoming more financially solvent, adopting new zoning ordinances, hiring a strong administrator, Gene Cottle, as city manager, completing several capital improvement projects, downtown sidewalk projects, and improving water and waste water infrastructure. Continue reading Troup Featured Before Smith County Commissioners

TYLER – Smith County residents will be able to celebrate Texas Independence Day with fireworks this year. The county commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize fireworks sales from February 25 through midnight on March 2. Although fireworks can be discharged any time of year, there are only certain state-approved holidays when fireworks can be sold in Texas, including July 4 and New Year’s. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said she sees no reason for the court not to approve fireworks sales. She said there have not had any issues in the past. The Commissioners Court will consider approving fireworks sales for San Jacinto Day and Memorial Day at future meetings.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is sending out a gas skimmer alert to area business owners. A gas pump skimmer was found Monday at the Exxon station at Highway 31 and Business 259. This one was hidden inside the gas pump, so it was not visible to the public. They are asking businesses to check their machines and to call them if they find something suspicious. They feel, if one has been found, there are probably others in the area. They even recommend that you walk inside the store and swipe your card. Its less convenient, but your card will not be compromised.