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HENDERSON — A Rusk County man has been sentenced to two years in prison and will be forced to pay a $10,000 fine after a jury found him guilty of possession of a controlled substance. KETK reports Kenneth Gene Jackson was arrested September 19, 2012, after Trooper Ricardo Fabbiani reportedly noticed he was not a typical stranded motorist. Fabbiani conducted a pat down on Jackson at a local gas station. Jackson was found to have methamphetamine in his front shirt pocket. Although the defense counsel argued the search was unlawful, it took the jury only 20 minutes to come back with a guilty verdict. Jackson was previously convicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

LONGVIEW — The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office has released an autopsy report on a Gregg County inmate who died last week. KETK reports Debra Ingram Duffie, 52, died at a Longview hospital after being transferred from the jail. The autopsy report reveals the deceased inmate was suffering from hypertensive heart disease with severe coronary atherosclerosis with a history of hepatitis C. Duffie had bruises on the front of her scalp, on her stomach, and on her lower extremities, but no internal injuries were found. Findings also brought to light that Duffie had hydronephrosis of the right kidney and mild peripheral atherosclerosis. However, a cause and manner of death have not been determined due to a pending toxicology report. Continue reading Autopsy Report Released on Inmate; Cause of Death To Be Determined

LONGVIEW — Former State Representative James Earl “Jimmy” Mankins Sr. died Tuesday in Longview. He was 87. Mankins, a longtime trucking company operator, represented Gregg County in the state Legislature from 1974 through 1984. “He was probably one of the most respected legislators we’ve had,” said Mickey Smith, a former Kilgore mayor and Gregg County judge. “Jimmy Earl was pretty quiet, moved real quietly. He was real congenial and could get things done.” Mankin is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia, and their children. Funeral services are set for 10:00 tomorrow morning at First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore, with the Rev. Scott Nowack officiating. Burial will follow in Kilgore Cemetery.

GLADEWATER — A Kilgore man remains behind bars after police say he tried to strip copper wires from an electrical transformer. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, police responded about 4:30pm Monday to the 200 block of Smallwood Road in Gladewater. That’s where witnesses told them Ruben Jaramillo, 21, and another man ran from the property and hid in a nearby cabin once they noticed the property owner watching them. That information comes from a probable cause affidavit filed with Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson. Continue reading Gladewater Police: Man Tried to Steal Copper

LONGVIEW — Five people have been robbed at gunpoint in Longview. The Longview News-Journal reports it happened around 11:00 Monday night in the 2100 block of Lee Street. The victims told police they were robbed by four men, one armed with a rifle, another with a machete. No one was hurt. If you have any information on who these four men might be, call Longview police.

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill’s school board wants taxpayers to dig a little deeper. KETK reports they’re in favor of a multi-million dollar bond. Superintendent Dr. Donnie Cook says money would go toward renovations and additions to facilities. The $31.2 million bond will be on the November 5 ballot. The district is planning to host several meetings to enlighten taxpayers about the bond in the coming weeks.

TYLER — Smith County commissioners release their 2014 proposed budget. KETK reports the people who foot that bill, the taxpayers, were invited Tuesday evening to weigh in. The renovation and expansion of the Smith County Jail will spill over into the 2014 budget. Sheriff Larry Smith (pictured) says, “Any part that I submitted to the commissioners court of my budget was definitely all needs and no wants it’s something that we absolutely had to have.” With the new facility opening up by the end of next year, Smith met with County Judge Joel Baker to make sure their new facility will be properly staffed. Two of the floors in the new jail will hold 144 inmates, and the third will hold 96. That means inmates who’ve been kept out of the county because of overcrowding will be brought back. Continue reading Sheriff Comments on Budget Proposal

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has drawn a hefty prison sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Sentenced in the 24th State District Court Tuesday to 25 years in prison was Michael Joe Presson, 37. The Longview News-Journal reports Presson was arrested last September and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, possession and promotion of child pornography and theft. He only pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of six. He was granted time served on the theft charge.

SMITH COUNTY — A fire that is thought to have started in a shed has burned some five acres in Smith County. The forest fire was reported near the 11000 block of County Road 2767 around 8:00 Tuesday night. The shed was destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — Authorities in Tyler have found a 19-year-old man wanted on multiple charges. Just before 11:45 Tuesday morning, Austin Shipp of Tyler was arrested at Wal-Mart on S. Broadway for shoplifting Class B. Officials say he broke and ran from the officer after he was handcuffed. Police located Shipp at the intersection of Hollytree and Rieck shortly after 5:00pm. Officials say he surrendered without further incident. He was booked into Smith County jail on charges of escape, a class A misdemeanor, along with fail to identify fugitive and theft. He is also wanted for desertion out of the Marines. KETK reports that according to the United States Marine Corps, the desertion warrant was issued earlier in August after Shipp disappeared from Camp Pendleton, California.

WINNSBORO (AP) — Thomas F. Pendergast, who ran a small town East Texas newspaper following a nearly 30-year career with The Associated Press, has died. He was 81. His daughter, Meredith Ann Pendergast Simpson, says he died August 14 at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, following a diagnosis of lymphoma. She says that after retiring from AP in 1985, he bought The Winnsboro News in the town located about 100 miles east of Dallas. The newspaper is published weekly. Continue reading Journalist Thomas F. Pendergast Dies

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a local man remains in the hospital after he was hit by a truck. Just before 11:45 Monday evening, police responded to the 2100 block of West Loop 281. On arrival officers found John Elie LeBlanc, 42, lying in the roadway. Witnesses stated LeBlanc was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of the roadway traveling westbound. According to police, for reasons unknown at this time, LeBlanc began to cross the roadway without safety and collided with a pickup in the inside westbound lane. Police say the driver of the truck left the scene. Continue reading Man Hospitalized after Being Hit by Truck

TROUP — Due to a water line break and reduced pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of Troup Public Water Supply (ID 2120003) to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. Continue reading Troup Issues Boil Water Notice

HENDERSON — A limited burn ban has been issued for Rusk County due to drought conditions. According to KETK, the Commissioners Court ordered that all outdoor burning without proper precautions is banned in Rusk County for 90 days. Those precautions include seeing that fires are well attended and enclosed in a burn barrel/receptacle, water availability, no wind blowing, and permission from the local/volunteer fire department for large burns.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Reserve Constable David C. Wiley has been arrested on a family violence charge. On Sunday, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call for service in reference to a reported family violence in progress. Upon arrival and following a preliminary investigation, Wiley was taken into custody and arrested for assault family violence/causing bodily injury, according to authorities. Wiley was transported to the Van Zandt County Jail in Canton, where he was confined for the alleged class A misdemeanor offense. On Monday, following arraignment by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Ronnie Daniell, Wiley was released upon his own recognizance. Officials didn’t immediately provide further details.

RUSK COUNTY — A Laneville man has died after he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a tree. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Rusk County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Darlene Childress pronounced Arthur Delbert Clark Jr., 60, dead about 8:00 Monday night at the scene, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Clark was traveling west on County Road 477, just east of County Road 461, when his 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle hit a tree along the side of the road, DPS said. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert responds after The Capitol Hill newspaper “Roll Call” named him America’s most quotable congressman. Gohmert told KETK, “I can just call them like I see them, and let the chips fall where they may. I do wish when some folks would quote me they would use accurate quotes, but that’s not always the case, but I guess it comes from speaking out so much.” Gohmert says he can say what he wants because he has no plans to run for president, unlike some of his fellow lawmakers. Continue reading Gohmert Responds after He’s Named Most Quotable Congressman

TYLER — District 6 State Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler has his first announced opponent in the 2014 elections. Businessman and community outreach specialist Skip Ogle of Tyler will face Schaefer in next year’s GOP primary. Ogle says he’s been encouraged by friends and supporters throughout Tyler, Whitehouse, Noonday and surrounding communities. According to press materials, Ogle “has a long history of involvement and support in our local community based organizations, building strategic coalitions to help the people of Tyler and East Texas.” Continue reading Skip Ogle Running for State House District 6

JACKSONVILLE — Several local and county agencies will prepare for the unthinkable this morning, when a community-wide disaster drill will begin on the Jacksonville Middle School campus. Officials say it should occur between about 8:00 and 11:00 or 11:30am. According to a news release, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will simulate an active shooting and hostage incident where school districts in Jacksonville and Rusk will test their emergency response plans. Portrayed victims will be triaged at the scene and transported to local hospitals as needed. Continue reading Community Disaster Drill Wednesday in Jacksonville

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety has added Doug Otis Sims, 32, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list, and a cash reward up to $3,000 is now being offered for information leading to his capture. According to officials, Sims has a violent criminal past and is wanted for failure to comply with sex offender registration and burglary of habitation. All tips can be offered anonymously. KETK reports that Sims has relatives and friends living in Center, Athens, and Burnet, and he has been known to work in the oil drilling industry. Sims’ criminal history includes sexual assault of a child, assault, evading arrest/detention and DWI. In 2003, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl nine times over a period of several months. Continue reading Most Wanted Sex Offender Has East Texas Ties

ATLANTA (AP) — Two people from Arkansas, including a pregnant woman, were killed and three were injured when their vehicle rolled in East Texas over the weekend. The Texas Department of Public Safety says the sport utility vehicle was on U.S. Highway 59 in Cass County when the driver veered right, then overcorrected and the vehicle rolled Saturday just southwest of Atlanta. All five people were from McCaskill, Arkansas.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano announced that an investigation had been initiated into the death of jail inmate Debra Ingram Duffie, a 52-year-old female who died August 19. According to a news release from Cerliano, Duffie had been in custody at the Gregg County Jail since her arrest on August 12. The inmate was charged with violation of probation, assault family violence, and had been booked into the Gregg County jail 8 times for various charges. On August 14, 2013, Duffie appeared in the Gregg County Court at Law #1 and was sentenced to 100 days confinement in the county jail. Continue reading Sheriff Responds after Gregg County Inmate Dies in Custody

DALLAS — As A&M quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel remains the focus of an NCAA probe that could affect his eligibility, the Dallas Morning News reports legal troubles run in the family. In the 60s, Johnny Football’s uncle, Bobby II, was convicted for possessing altered currency — and in 2002 he was sentenced to three years on possession and intent to distribute cocaine. In 2001, the Heisman winner’s grandfather, Norman Paul, was arrested for DWI and evading arrest, then did seven months for trying to bribe someone to perform his court-mandated community service. Johnny Manziel, the first freshman to win the Heisman, is accused of accepting thousands of dollars for multiple autograph signings.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $1,400 in rewards for tips that led to the recent arrests of six people, four of them on drug-related charges. The largest single reward, $400, was for a tip about a Canton man allegedly selling crack cocaine. He was subsequently arrested and charged with manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance, as well as a parole violation. Continue reading Van Zandt Crime Stoppers OKs $1,400 in Rewards

LONGVIEW — An early morning Longview fire destroyed a barn including $75,000 worth of farming equipment. KETK reports Longview firefighters responded to a call around 1:00am Monday about some smoke coming from a building in the 2100 block of East Marshall Avenue. When officials arrived on scene, the barn was fully engulfed. Among the items destroyed in the blaze were a Bobcat tractor, a truck, a lawn mower, and round bales of hay. The cause remains under investigation.

TYLER – The Pat Herd Women’s Center is now open on the fifth floor of Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler. Officials say the center allows women a new place to get specialized care and heal. “We’re so excited about the opening of our new Pat Herd Women’s Center,” said John McGreevy, CEO, Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler. “This center is important in our journey for the continuing care of women and babies, ensuring they are provided the care they need in a warm, home-like environment. And thanks to the generous support and donations from our community we are able to make this facility a reality for women and their families.” Continue reading Pat Herd Women’s Center Opens

SHREVEPORT — Officials say two East Texans accused of trying to steal an ATM led Shreveport police on a short car chase Saturday morning. According to KETK, police believe Gerri Davis of White Oak and Carl Gearhart III of Tyler tried stealing an ATM from a Bossier City bank. After their failed attempt to uproot the machine, the thieves left the scene, according to authorities. Police caught up with their truck and made the arrests.

KILGORE — A Kilgore man arrested last week is accused of giving alcoholic beverages to underage girls, then molesting one of them. KETK reports a criminal complaint was filed against Samuel McKnight, 43, earlier this month. A 16-year old girl filed the complaint saying she was inappropriately touched by McKnight when she and her friends were drunk at his house. According to officials, McKnight admitted to giving underage girls alcohol, but denied the sexual assault.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler’s own Louie Gohmert tops a list of most quotable congressmen in Washington. The Capitol Hill newspaper “Roll Call” also puts Texans Ted Poe and Steve Stockman in the top 10 — Stockman at number 8, Poe at number 10. Among the Gohmert quotes cited: “We’re faced with a big threat. What’s our response? Are we gonna get tough and not let ’em get away with it? No, we turn tail and run.” From Stockman: “Stop having them intimidate you. Stand up for our Constitution. Fight for the Constitution! Don’t back down!” And Poe is quoted as saying, “The IRS wants to be exempted from Obamacare — and so do Americans. And that’s just the way it is.”

WHITEHOUSE — Officials say a Whitehouse home struck by fire over the weekend was destroyed. Crews responded to 207 Senter Avenue just after 1:00 Sunday morning. According to KETK, the residents were home at the time, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown.