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SMITH COUNTY – Smith County authorities say that Jhoel Hidalgo Sevilla, 33, was the man killed over the weekend. The shooting was reported shortly after 9:30 Sunday morning in an apartment on County Road 382 in the northeastern part of the county. He died from an apparent gunshot wound. There is no other information on the case as the investigation is continuing.

AUSTIN – Sales Tax rebates for Tyler and Longview continue to grow. The state comptrollers office is sending out sales tax allocations for December. They are based on sales made in October. Tyler’s check tops $3.6 million. This is an increase of over 16% from last December. So far this year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations top $43 million, for an increase of 7 1/2%. Longview’s December check is for over $2.6 million, a hike of over 19%. For the year, Longview’s checks exceed $32 million, for a 10% increase. The over all state figure for the month is $761 million, for an increase of 9 1/2%

TYLER – The Tyler Rotary Club has a special guest speaker on Thursday. He is former Baylor University President Kenneth Starr. He is also a former federal appeals court judge, who resigned to become U.S. solicitor general under President George H.W. Bush. In August 1994, Starr became independent counsel responsible for overseeing several investigations involving the Clinton administration, including Whitewater and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The Tyler Rotary Club meets at the Hollytree Country Club.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies are being honored for saving the life of a motorist. The commendation goes to deputies Houston Munsinger and Keith Jones. They were flagged down last month by a woman whose husband had a heart attack and was unresponsive. Because of the deputies’ actions, the man regained his breathing and heartbeat. Sheriff James Campbell says a check at Tyler’s CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital has shown the man is doing fine.

TYLER – TJC student Lorenzo Luna, of Henderson, has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation. It’s a charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. The foundation recently announced scholarship awards to students nationwide who are studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

MARSHALL – A woman posing as a nurse has been indicted by the Harrison County Grand Jury. Stephanie Garcia, 30, of Henderson, has been indicted for fraudulent use/possession of identifying information and two counts of nursing regulation violations. The Longview News Journal reports she used a registered nurse license number as identifying information on a job application in March of last year. The indictment also says Garcia practiced professional nursing without a license twice in July of that year. The investigation began following a complaint to the Texas Board of Nursing by former patient at Davita Dialysis in Marshall.

TYLER – A member of the Tyler Police Department has received the Blue Ribbon Award at the Wednesday city council meeting. It was presented to financial crime detective Jeff Roberts for the month of December. The city’s financial crimes unit has become experts on credit card skimming cases. Detective Roberts has taught classes on credit card skimming all over the state and with federal agencies in different parts of the U.S. The Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award goes to city employees who have placed the highest premium on responsiveness to the public’s needs.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Gabriel McBride, 46, has died at a Tyler hospital following a Monday afternoon shooting near Chandler. His daughter, Beverly McBride, 17, was was found on a couch inside the home, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said this was not a random shooting, it was a deliberate act. The Texas Rangers have joined Henderson County authorities in investigating the case.

TYLER — The Tyler Streets Department is closing Old Bascom Road from Shiloh Road to Old Omen Road to make emergency repairs. Repairs are expected to last through 5 p.m., weather permitting. Travelers are encouraged to find an alternative route and to pay attention to all traffic and construction signs.

TYLER — Tyler police say several recent homicides could be drug related and connected. The first homicide happened on North Summitt Avenue. Mario Guzman, 32, was found fatally shot on his front porch early Friday morning. The second murder happened Monday afternoon on West Barrett Street, a few blocks from Guzman’s residence. Bennie Jackson, 65, was also found shot on his front porch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – A woman accused of stealing $100,000 from a wedding venue in Flint has been arrested. Holly Longino Elliott, 42, who also goes by the name of Holly Leann Elliott, is charged with theft of property, greater than $30,000 but less than $150,000. Details of her arrest are unavailable. She is currently in the Smith County Jail under a $100,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – The weather is causing a Christmas celebration in Longview to be canceled. The Christmas Balloon Glow, scheduled for the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, has been canceled for Thursday because of thunderstorms in the forecast. The organization said on its Facebook page, they had previously said “there would be no “rain date” or plan B, but we will let you know if that changes.” The event, which is organized by local balloon pilots in East Texas, is not an official Great Texas Balloon Race event.

TYLER – Two Tyler businesses have won awards in the 2018 Texas Downtown Association President’s Awards Program. ETX Brewing Company was named winner of the Best Downtown Business in towns over over 50,000 population. The microbrewery participates in all of the downtown promotional activities.They also host a monthly game night fundraiser for the Tyler Public Library and Meet and Greets prior the symphony’s concerts. The winner of the 2018 Best Promotional Event – Festival Event was Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival, which is held in downtown Tyler each May.

TYLER – The holiday season has arrived at the Center for Earth & Space Science Education at Tyler Junior College. Tuesday through Saturday, the center is presenting a variety of holiday related shows in the domed theater. You will learn about the Mystery of the Christmas Star. There is also a “Season of Light,” which recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice. There is even a Laser Holiday show which features a mix of everyone’s favorite holiday music set to fantastic laser artwork. Theater seating is limited, and it is recommended that tickets are purchased in advance on line at http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu or at the front counter. Continue reading Holiday Shows at TJC’s Science Center

TYLER – Someone in the Tyler area is a Texas Lottery winner. There were two winning tickets sold for the grand prize in Monday’s Texas Two Step drawing. The winning numbers are 7, 13, 26, 29 and the bonus ball is 6. One winning ticket was sold in Tyler at the Food Fast on University Boulevard. The other was sold in Lubbock. Both were quick picks. The grand prize was $225,000. That means, before taxes, each winner will receive $112,500, which will be paid out in a single, lump sum.

PALESTINE — A Palestine jury sentenced an East Texas man to 200 years in prison. Troy Mason was found guilty of owning and distributing over 1,500 child pornographic images. Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell said, “Well, it’s sad that in this day and age that we still have children that are being exploited in this way. There’s people out there like Mr. Mason that have a need — and, sadly, there’s other people out there that are willing to fulfill this need.” Mason still has an upcoming trial for continuous sexual abuse of a young child and other charges.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A homicide investigation is underway following a shooting in Henderson County Monday afternoon. Deputies responded to a residence on Woodridge West, near Chandler, just before 2:00. Beverly McBride, 17, was was found on a couch inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her father, Gabriel McBride, 46, was found on the living room floor. He had also been shot in the head and was airlifted to a Tyler hospital. He remains in critical condition. Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 903-675-5128.

TYLER – The investigation continues into the shooting death of Bennie Ray Jackson, 65, of Tyler. A neighbor found him unresponsive on the front porch of his home on West Barrett Street shortly before 1:45 Monday afternoon. It appears as if he died from a gunshot wound.

TYLER – The local Better Business Bureau President is now part of the organization’s international board of directors. Mechele Agbayani Mills, President|CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council of Better Business Bureaus, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Mills is one of twelve appointees to the national board. Mills has served as the local BBB President and CEO since 2009.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Christmas Parade, which was rescheduled from last week because of the weather, will take to the streets Tuesday night. Organizers say you should be prepared to see amazing floats, local celebrities, live performances, marching bands, equestrians, animated characters, giant balloons, and Santa. It is all part of the Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 6:30pm at the intersection of Whaley and Green. It will then travel West on Whaley to Horaney, South on Horaney, turn left to go East on Methvin past the beautifully lit Gregg County Courthouse and past the reviewing stand in front of the Regions Bank Parking Lot. The parade will disband at Methvin and Third.

CHAPEL HILL – The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority is hosting a public workshop on Tuesday regarding the proposed extension of Toll 49. The Toll road currently runs from State Highway 110 to south and west of Tyler to Highway 69 north of Lindale. Now, they are looking at extending the toll road from Highway 110, between Tyler and Whitehouse, northward to Interstate Highway 20. At the come and go workshop session, you will learn about the project development process, provide route suggestions, and ask questions about the project. The workshop will run from 5:30 to 7:30pm, at the Chapel Hill High School.

TYLER – A Tyler business is the third quarter Beauty and Business Award winner, presented by Keep Tyler Beautiful. The award was presented to Pollard-Heines Property for their retail location on the corner of Beckham Avenue and Fifth Street. The public nominated the business for the award. The Keep Tyler Beautiful board selected the winner. The board especially liked the choice made by the property owner to plant native grasses and plants in their flower beds. The winner of the award is presented a certificate and yard sign from the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is searching for a local man wanted on several felonies. Cody Keaton Kovarik, 26, Tyler, is wanted on one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, as well as numerous counts of felony evading. Anyone with information on Kovarik’s location is urged to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County homicide is under investigation. It was reported shortly after 9:30 Sunday morning in an apartment on County Road 382 in the northeastern part of the county. The victim’s name has yet to be released. We will have more information when it becomes available.

TYLER – Applications are now being accepted for Azalea Belle for next year’s l Azalea and Spring Flower Trail in Tyler. The opportunity is open to Smith County freshman and sophomore high school girls. They wear antebellum dresses throughout this three-weekend event, March 22 – April 7. They are used to promote Tyler, greet tourists, and pose for photographs. Applications are due January 30, 2019 and can be found online at http://www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail or at local high school counselor’s offices

LONGVIEW – Many people want to help the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center during the holidays, but are not in a position to adopt an animal. So, the center, and Longview PAWS, is offering another way that anyone can support their dogs and cats. You are invited to adopt Charlie, a stuffed dog, or Lucy, a stuffed cat. For a minimum $50 donation to Longview PAWS, you can take one of these adorable lovable stuffed animals home for Christmas. All of the proceeds will go directly to enriching the lives of the shelter animals.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of December 10. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repair operations on Farm Road 2015 at the junction of U.S. Highway 271. Crews will also conduct work on Farm Road 2908 just north of Farm Road 2767. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

LOS ANGELES – The Grammy Award nominations were released Friday morning. Two East Texas natives are on the list. Kacey Musgraves of Golden, Texas, received four nominations. Her album “Golden Hour” is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Country Album. A song she co-wrote, “Space Cowboy,” is nominated for Best Country song. She is also nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “Butterflies.” Also nominated is Lee Ann Womack of Jacksonville. She is nominated in the Best Americana Album category for “The Lonely, the Lonesome and the Gone.” We will find out if the win February 10th

MABANK – One person was killed and one injured in a three vehicle accident in Van Zandt County. It occurred around 10:00 Thursday night on State Highway 198, five miles north of Mabank. Killed was Isiah Robertson Jr., 69, of Garland. He played for the Rams and the Bills in the 70s and early 80s and was a former two-time All-Pro linebacker. He founded a drug treatment program in Mabank called the House of Isaiah. The DPS says he was traveling at an unsafe speed on the wet road when he lost control of his vehicle. The limo was hit by a pickup. The limo was then hit by an oncoming car. The pickup’s driver, Aron Keith Green, 37, of Ben Wheeler. suffered minor injuries