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WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – Eleven Senate Democrats are urging President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline by the end of May. The senators say the five-year review of the Canada-to-Texas pipeline has been “exhaustive” and taken longer than reasonably justified. The letter sent Thursday says approval is needed to ensure the pipeline doesn’t miss another construction season. But politics is likely a larger factor. Six of the Democrats who signed the letter face challenges this year. They are Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, John Walsh of Montana, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Warner of Virginia. Democratic efforts to keep control of the Senate could hinge on those races. The southern leg of the pipeline began pumping oil through East Texas and elsewhere in January.

TYLER – Tyler ISD broke ground Thursday on the new Boulter Middle School campus. The new school, which will be built on the grounds of the current campus, will feature nearly 150,000 square feet of state-of-the art learning space and is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2015, according to officials. The project is part of the recently-passed $160.5 million TISD bond issue. Two other middle schools, a new Moore facility and a new campus in the Three Lakes area, are also included in the bond package.

TYLER — Ground was formally broken Wednesday on Tyler Junior College’s newest residence hall, at 1327 S. Baxter Ave. Slated to open in Fall 2015, the new residence hall will provide housing for 248 students, seven resident advisors, and a hall director, according to a TJC news release. Officials say the four-story, 68,000-square-foot structure will provide generous common spaces on the ground floor, including a campus plaza, lobby seating, game lounge, computer lab, dining area with a Chick-fil-A restaurant, and resident laundry facilities. The upper floors will be organized into two wings, or neighborhoods, each with its own small study nook and generous daylight exposure in common corridors, according to the release. Continue reading TJC Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the acquisition of the traffic control equipment Iteris in order to complete the Front Street Adaptive Control System (ACS). ACS is state of the art traffic control equipment and software that allows for the adjustment of signal timing in real time given traffic conditions, according to a city news release. Officials say Tyler was among the first cities nationwide to deploy this traffic mitigation tool. Continue reading Council Approves Traffic Control Equipment

KILGORE — Two East Texas men are behind bars after police say they were cutting up stolen oilfield pipes in a wooded area along Fritz Swanson Road. According to police, on Sunday, while on patrol, Kilgore Police Officer Josh Sims found two men on an oil lease road off of Fritz Swanson Road cutting up numerous oil field pipes in an area at the end of the lease road. According to KETK, police say initial investigation revealed the pipe was stolen from a local business. The two suspects are identified as John Phillip Elder (pictured), 45, and Jason Dean Henson, 44, both of Kilgore. The men were arrested for theft. Authorities also allege Henson was found in possession of a pistol; he was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon.

GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two 14-year-old males in connection with the shooting death of a local teenager after the teen’s body was found in a car. KETK reports officials responded to a suspicious car call Sunday evening just before 9:45 in Diana. When deputies arrived they found Jacob Johnson (pictured), 17, dead from gunshot wounds. According to preliminary autopsy reports, Johnson died from two gunshot wounds to the head. Debbie Cobb, secretary to the superintendent of the New Diana Independent School District, says Johnson had withdrawn from school in October 2013. Authorities say they are investigating the incident as a homicide and more arrests are possible.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday received a report from the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) on the operation of the Center for Healthy Living located at 2815 Frankston Highway. The Center for Healthy Living was officially opened on Oct. 16, 2013 and provides:

* diabetic management
* cooking classes
* tobacco cessation programs
* nutrition counseling
* access to WIC
* immunization services
Continue reading Tyler’s Center for Healthy Living Exceeds Expectations

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday adopted the Tyler 1st five year update, designed to reflect the needs and aspirations of Tyler residents. “Though designed as a 20-year plan, it should be periodically reevaluated to ensure that the community’s vision and goals are still being met and that the strategies and action items for achieving the goals are still valid,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The plan must be a flexible document that can change according to the changing needs of the community.” Continue reading Council Adopts Tyler 1st Update

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized a construction contract for the Lake Tyler Dam Repair project with Gracon Construction, Inc. In January, 2013, Wisenbaker Fix & Associates and its geotechnical subconsultants began the engineering and design for the repair of issues discovered at the dam. The plans were forwarded to the TCEQ Dam Safety Section for review in September, 2013. The TCEQ provided comments and requested additional modeling that had to be addressed before the project could proceed into construction. Revised plans were submitted on Dec. 20, 2013, and written authorization to bid and award the repair project was received on March 28, 2014, according to a city news release. Continue reading Bid Awarded for Lake Tyler Dam Repair

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized a construction contract with Reynolds & Kay, Limited for the 2014 Asphalt Enhancement Program as well as the 2014 Seal Coat Program. “The pavement in the City of Tyler is one of our largest assets and it is important that we make every effort to maintain it through seal coats and overlays,” said City Engineer Carter Delleney. Continue reading Council Approves Annual Street Repair Programs

TYLER – Tyler ISD Superintendent of Schools Gary Mooring informed District employees Wednesday of his resignation effective June 30. According to a TISD news release, Mooring cited continued health concerns as the reason for his departure from the District. “On behalf of the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees we are saddened to be losing such a wonderful and dedicated leader who has been a beacon of support for the District,” said Tyler ISD Board of Trustees President Rev. Orenthia Mason. “Mr. Mooring has led Tyler ISD upward while demonstrating his commitment to our staff and students. While we hate to see him go, we understand his decision to make his health a priority for the sake of his family and himself.” Continue reading Tyler ISD Superintendent Announces Resignation

ORE CITY – The name of an Upshur County accident victim has been released. Shahzad Sultan, 33, of Ore City, died when his car skidded, left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened around 5:00 Monday afternoon on Farm Road 1649, two miles west of Ore City.

LONGVIEW — It was business as usual Wednesday at Longview’s Ned E. Williams Elementary School. The school cancelled classes Tuesday after a tree fell into a power line in the 1700 block of Monroe Corner. The school and around 200 homes in the area lost power Tuesday morning.

TYLER — Three seniors from Robert E. Lee High School have been invited to attend two of the nation’s military service academies this fall. Jack Oliver, 17, will attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and Abby Halbrook, 18, and Philip White, 18, will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Continue reading Three Tyler Seniors Heading to Military Academies

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder got into a heated argument with the Republican Congressman from Tyler Tuesday over the still-pending contempt case against him. Listen Now! Holder-Gohmert Exchange – Holder was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee when Rep. Louie Gohmert, began pressing him for documents in a separate investigation. Gohmert brought up an apparent sore spot, referencing the 2012 House vote finding Holder in contempt of Congress. Continue reading Gohmert, Holder Exchange Words about “Fast and Furious”

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected a death row inmate’s claims that he’s mentally impaired and ineligible for execution for the slaying of an East Texas woman nearly 18 years ago. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Tuesday moves Robert Charles Ladd closer to execution for the murder of Vicki Ann Garner, 38, at her Tyler apartment in 1996. Her body, bound at the legs and wrists, had been set on fire and she was beaten with a hammer. A federal judge last year ruled Ladd’s attorneys had failed to prove their claim of mental impairment. The appeals ruling supports that finding. At the time of the slaying, Ladd was on parole after serving 13 years and pleading guilty to three other slayings in Dallas in 1978.

LUFKIN — A man wanted on charges of aggravated robbery in Gregg County was jailed after being arrested in Angelina County. According to KETK, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office says Robert Andrew Lilley, 40, of Logansport, Louisiana, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies Monday on a warrant stemming from a December 2013 vehicle robbery. Lilley allegedly stole the car from the 500 block of North Spur 63 in Longview to deliver prescription drugs. Lilley is also being charged with possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Outdoor Warning System test did not activate Tuesday as scheduled due to a computer software/communications error that police say is currently being corrected. A test of the system will be rescheduled to verify repairs. The monthly tests are conducted to ensure that the City of Tyler has a fully functional Outdoor Warning System.

LONGVIEW — All three killed in a series of Sunday shootings in Longview have been identified. Meanwhile, another man was jailed and released for allegedly tampering with evidence. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Tavarus Christopher Glaspie (pictured), 35, Longview, died at 9:05 Sunday night at Good Shepherd Medical Center from a gunshot wound to the head. Anthony Anderson, 35, Longview, was pronounced dead at 7:35 at a residence in the 800 block of Beaumont Street. Joey Hollister, 15, was declared dead at a local hospital at 8:45 p.m. after being discovered inside a car at Denny’s restaurant. According to the Carthage ISD, Hollister was a student at Carthage High School. Continue reading All Three Victims Identified in Longview Shooting Deaths

TYLER — Folks came out to support Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton one last time Monday. KETK reports his funeral was at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Seaton passed away last Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was known for having a great sense of humor and exhibiting excellence on the job. In addition to his work in Smith County, Seaton served four years as a sergeant in Vietnam for the United States Marines. He started working as the county’s fire marshal in 1999. Continue reading Smith County Remembers Jim Seaton

GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what’s termed the suspicious death of a local teenager after the teen’s body was found in a car, and the youth has been identified. KETK reports officials responded to a call Sunday around 9:43 p.m. in Diana. When deputies arrived they found Jacob Johnson, 17, dead from a gunshot wound. Debbie Cobb, secretary to the superintendent of the New Diana Independent School District, says Johnson had withdrawn from school in October 2013. Authorities say they are investigating the incident as a homicide.

ATHENS — An Athens judge sentenced Jeremy Jarrett, 26, of Eustace to 30 years in the state penitentiary Monday for a number of offenses committed in Athens last September 18. According to KETK, just after 8:00 that night, the Athens Police Department received a 911 call from the wife of the night shift clerk at the Valero gas station at 805 East Corsicana. The clerk’s wife saw a man, later identified as Jarrett, walk into the store and hold a large hunting knife to her husband’s throat. She then exited the store and placed the 911 call. Continue reading Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Multiple Crimes

TYLER — Two East Texas men are wanted in connection with credit card abuse and theft in Smith County. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says the two men are wanted for using a stolen credit card at stores in the Flint-Gresham area. If you have any information on the identities or location of these men, contact Detective Gray at 903-590-2956.

TYLER – This morning at 11:00, the City of Tyler, Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler will activate the Outdoor Warning System along with the Tyler Emergency Alert System (Sudden-link Communications). The City of Tyler Outdoor Warning Systems will be activated starting with a test message. That message will be followed with approximately a 30-second steady tone, followed by an approximate 30-second alternate steady tone, followed by an approximate 30-second pulsed steady tone, followed by Westminster Chimes. The test will end with a test message. Continue reading Emergency Warning System Test Today

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in a criminal mischief case. On Sunday at about 3:00 p.m., Gregg County deputies responded to the Dyersdale Energy Lease off Highway 42 in Kilgore. Officials say unknown persons intentionally dumped approximately 200 barrels of crude oil on the ground from a holding tank on the lease. The cost of the oil is in excess of $20,000. Officials say the cost of the cleanup of the site may likely exceed $50,000.

DIANA — Emergency crews responded Monday around 12:15 p.m. after a driver crashed into a pond on FM 1844 near Diana. According to KETK, the Gilmer Fire Department reports firefighters from multiple departments were dispatched to help rescue the driver, the only person inside the vehicle. The unidentified person was pulled from the vehicle without injury.

LUFKIN (AP/Staff) – Police in Lufkin have arrested a woman after they say she called them to complain about the quality of the marijuana she had purchased from a dealer. Lufkin police Sgt. David Casper said Monday that an officer went to the home of Evelyn Hamilton, 37, to hear her complain that the dealer refused to give her money back after she objected to the drug’s quality. Casper says she pulled the small amount of marijuana from her bra when the officer asked if she still had it. She was arrested Friday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Hamilton said Monday she spent $40 on “seeds and residue.” According to police, she says she called police when she got no satisfaction from the dealer’s family.

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport reports that rental car activity at the airport is at an all-time high. According to a city news release, the number of cars rented shows growth for the second year in a row. In 2012 rental car activity increased by 5.7%, then in 2013 it increased an additional 15.8%. The year-to-date activity for 2014 shows an 18.1% increase in the number of cars rented compared to the same time last year. “We are hopeful this indicates a continued growth trend,” said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. Continue reading Airport Sees Growth in Rental Car Activity

TYLER — Smith County Road 138 has been closed after sustaining severe damage during torrential rains on Sunday, according to a county news release. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department is currently working to replace a culvert and a missing section of the road. CR 138 is located in the Flint area between Old Jacksonville Highway and Highway 69 South. County Road 3101 also sustained damages during the storm and is currently down to a single lane. Crews are on site and expect CR 3101, also known as Barber Road, to be fully restored within a day.

TYLER — The 9th annual Don Pinkerton Memorial Charity Golf Tournament set for Monday was postponed due to a soaked course following Sunday’s rains. KETK reports the event, which benefits the Salvation Army, has been re-scheduled for June 2.