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EAST TEXAS — A Hallsville man who pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor online has been sentenced to 10 years probation. According to our news partner, KETK, Shane Jeffery Chapman, 33, was arrested May 22 on charges of online solicitation of a minor during a sting operation in which the Child Exploitation Unit of the Texas Attorney General’s Office collaborated with the Arlington Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Longview Police Department. Chapman pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony charges in January. Chapman also will pay a $10,000 fine and spend 20 48-hour periods in the county jail in the next year. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 additional years after the end of his probation.

TYLER – A man accused of recording a woman who worked at the same business as him, while she was in the restroom, has been indicted by the Smith County grand jury. Charged with invasive visual recording in a bathroom/dressing room is Victor Antonio Cruz-Castellanos, 29, of Tyler. Tyler Police Detective Andy Erbaugh told our news partner KETK that the incident happened in December. Cruz-Castellanos, who was arrested on December 12th, remains in the Smith County Jail under a $100,000 bond.

TYLER – A new sci-fi move has the touch of a Tyler Junior College professor. The movie, which comes out this weekend, is “Ready Player One.” TJC computer-animation professor Justin Sullivan will see some of his art work on the big screen. Sullivan created a digital extra for the movie. Digital extras are similar to background actors in live-action movies. They don’t have speaking parts or any other role than to fill in the background of a scene. Besides some technical specifications, Sullivan’s only real rule for creating a digital extra was that it couldn’t be a character from the book. It had to be original. So, he imagined this character and created a backstory for her. He says he has no idea where she will actually appear in Steven Spielberg’s new sci-fi adventure.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has secured an arrest warrant for 45 year old Martin Wesley Reynolds Sr. He is accused of tampering with a witness. Sheriff’s department detectives have information that Reynolds made threats against several witnesses who are scheduled to testify during his son’s upcoming murder trial. Wednesday evening they tried to serve the warrant on him at him residence in Whitehouse. He was not there and is believed to be in hiding. When Judge Kerry Russell signed the warrant, he set his bond at $200,000. If you know where can be found you are asked to contact the sheriff’s department.

KILGORE – Kilgore College has brought home awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention in Dallas. The Flare Magazine won first in Overall Excellence and The Flare newspaper and The Ranger Yearbook won second in Overall Excellence. The Flare newspaper staff received an Honorable Mention in the Best of Show, Division 2. The Flare newspaper staff received first place in Overall Design. The school’s student publications staff won 33 awards: 17 for production; 10 for visual reporting and six for narrative reporting. The Flare newspaper staff also brought home a second and third place in newspaper headline writing. Among the awards, sophomore Lucas Strough of Longview took home first place in Print News Writing. More than 400 students, representing 44 schools from Texas, competed head-to-head in 30 events during on-site contests.

JACKSONVILLE — A brutal beating that was caught on camera over the weekend at the Mud Nationals in Jacksonville is now under investigation. The video shows Chelsea Swain being attacked by several men. She posted a picture of herself getting treatment in Tyler and asking for help in finding the persons responsible for the injuries. Initially she said she did not want to file a report with authorities. But, earlier this week she contacted the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and made a report. They say the incident is now under investigation.

TYLER – Tyler police have announced additional charges against two men accused of planting gas card skimmers. Now charged with engaging in organized criminal activity are Yoan Marquez Ramos, 28, of Haltom City and Jordan Adrain Borroto, 23, of Mansfield. The men were arrested in February after a card skimmer was found in a pump at a Bullard gas station. They were arrested following a chase when they realized officers saw them trying to remove the skimmer. They were already under an investigation which had found out this criminal organization had previously made 780 fraudulent transactions on at least 187 different credit cards in 29 cities and 3 different states. They remain in the Smith county jail, each under bonds of over $1.75 million. Continue reading Card Skimming Suspects Face More Charges

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a $105,000 donation from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to the Tyler Police Department to provide additional safety and operational equipment for officers. Police Chief Jimmy Toler says the equipment will include thermal imaging monoculars to help them find people at night and a mobile spectroscopy that will identify substances with minimum exposure to the officer. Toler says he’s thankful for the partnership with the DA’s office. The City Council also approved the purchase of 100 Lenovo in-car computers to be used in the Tyler Police and Fire Departments’ vehicles, replacing outdated equipment, according to a news release from the city.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted no to renovations at the Rose City Complex. According to our news partner KETK, the upgrades would have included a conference center and hotel, which officials have discussed for years. Space and money were the two main concerns. One councilman says there is a discrepancy on how much the city is willing to spend, but the mayor reiterated a firm budget of $19 million. The number one goal is putting the convention center and hotel in the right place.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A 42-year-old woman, suspected of selling methamphetamine, has been arrested following a traffic stop. Hollie Jo Grimes, Jacksonville, was stopped on Highway 155 near Frankston shortly after midnight Wednesday. Her vehicle was searched after a Henderson County deputy said she was acting suspiciously. The deputy found 6 baggies containing meth, a digital scale and a loaded .32 caliber handgun. Grimes was charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. Her vehicle was impounded. She also faces charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a woman wanted for interference with child custody. She is Carie Ann Durrett, 38. She was ordered by a court to surrender her 8 month old child. She refused and Sheriff Jason bridges says she is on the run with the child. It is believed that Chevie Durrett is in danger. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office. Continue reading Child Said to Be in Danger, Mother Sought

ELKHART – There has been another school lockdown in Anderson County. On Tuesday it was at Palestine High School. On Wednesday, and identical situation surfaced at Elkhart High School. A hand-written note taped above a water-fountain said “I’m gonna’ shoot up this school. Check your bags before 2:00.” The note was found just before 10:00. After a thorough search of buildings, students and their backpacks, the lockdown was lifted just over an hour later. As a precaution, two sheriff’s deputies were posted on the campus for the rest of Wednesday and will be there all day Thursday.

EAST TEXAS – For the second time in three months, federal immigration and customs officers have made arrests in North Texas and Oklahoma. The 89 criminal aliens and immigration violators ranged in age from 19 to 60. Most those arrested during the operation had criminal histories. Twenty three of the people arrested had illegally re-entered the U. S. after having been previously deported. Seven of the arrests were made in Tyler and six were made in Longview. The three day enforcement action ended last Thursday.

LONGVIEW – Gregg County has received money for some road improvements. The members of the North East Texas Regional Mobility presented county commissioners Wednesday with a check for $400,000. This is for reimbursement for the improvement work on U.S. Highway 259 at Hawkins Parkway. The county becomes the first recipient of the NET RMA’s Priority Project Program funding. The money was set aside in 2015 for the counties to fund their priority projects. The money was unused, so the agency was able to supply the Gregg County with two years of funding.

LONGVIEW – A Longview School District employee has been put on administrative leave pending an investigation. He is assistant band director Brandon McFarland. Our news partner KETK reports he was put on leave following allegations stemming from a school-sponsored trip to Florida over the spring break. The investigation stemmed from the educator bragging to students about an incident that happened during the trip. The school stressed there was no physical contact between any student and McFarland. A Spring Hill High School graduate in 2011, McFarland was hired by the Longview school system last June.

LIBERTY CITY — The pastor of Liberty City’s First Baptist Church says he is increasing security after the destruction of three buses by fire in the church parking lot. According to our news partner KETK, the vehicles caught on fire about 5:00 Monday morning. The Sabine Fire Department quickly put out the flames. An official cause was not immediately released, but Pastor Paul Michael Vacca says he has no reason to believe it’s a hate crime.

JACKSONVILLE — A brutal beating was caught on camera over the weekend at Mud Nationals in Jacksonville. According to our news partner KETK, in the video, a single mom is savagely attacked by several men in a mud pit. That information and the video come from Tees N Things, the Louisiana company she works for. The company identified the woman attacked as Chelsea Swain. She posted a picture of herself getting treatment, asking for help in finding the persons responsible for the injuries. The company is offering a $500 reward for the arrests of those responsible. Mud Creek Off Road Park confirmed the violent video. Park officials say they will assist assist law enforcement to the best of their ability as requested.

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas man has been sentenced to prison for a sex crime against a child. According to KTBB’s news partner, KETK, Jerry Lyn Vinson, 61, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Tuesday. Vinson elected to waive his right to a jury trial and accept a plea of 30 years in prison. The defendant was arrested for the crime on December 28, 2016.

TYLER – The Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant is returning to Tyler. After being held in the Metroplex for 20 years, the pageant was held in Tyler the past two years. At a news conference Tuesday morning, the pageant’s State Director, Peggy Wagner of Plano, announced it will be returning to Tyler this September to the Holiday Inn on South Broadway. While in Tyler, the pageant has grown so, they had to add additional seating last year. The pageant is all about changing the image of aging. It is for women ages 60 and older. Continue reading Senior Pageant Returns to Tyler

TYLER – Several Smith County employees were recognized, during Tuesday’s Smith County Commissioners meeting, for their years of service to the county. One of those was fire marshal, Connie McCoy-Wasson. She was honored for 25 years of service. She has held her current post since November 2015. She is the first woman to hold the post of county fire marshal. Prior to that she served as deputy fire marshal for more than 20 years. McCoy-Wasson wears many hats. She is also the county’s emergency management coordinator, chairwoman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee and treasurer of the Smith County Volunteer Fireman’s Association. This is a far cry from 1993, when she was hired as secretary by the late Fire Marshal Charles Shine. Since then she has gone to school and earned her certifications to become a firefighter, investigator and inspector, as well as earning her peace officer license.

KILGORE – A Rabies infected bat has been found on the Kilgore College Campus. Our news partner KETK reports the bat was found last week near the fine arts building. The test results that came back on Monday showed the bat tested positive for rabies. Students who touched the animal will be given the rabies vaccine injections. Kilgore police say it is unusual for nocturnal animals to move about during the day. Their warning is, don’t touch wild animals. If an animal appears to be sick, it probably is, so, don’t touch it.

EAST TEXAS – Threats against schools in Longview and Palestine have surfaced. Two Longview High School students have been suspended after threats surfaced on Instagram. Some students reported the posting, which has since been deleted. So far there have been no arrests and school officials say the students were suspended indefinitely. Meanwhile, at Palestine High Shool, a lockdown has been lifted after a threatening note was found on the campus. The entire campus was searched, including the students’ backpacks. When no weapons were found by 12:30, classes returned to normal following lunch. Longview and Palestine police are continuing their investigation of the two incidents.

HIDEAWAY — The FM 849 bridge over I-20 at Hideaway is now open to traffic following a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning. TxDOT says remaining work will continue on the project. The effort got underway in early December after an emergency contract was expedited following a November incident in which the bridge sustained major structural damages. Due to the magnitude of the damages, a complete new structure was constructed rather than making costly, less efficient repairs, according to a news release. The $4.6 million project is expected to be completed this spring.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Three people were arrested Monday night following a game room raid in Seven Points. James Nelson 59 (pictured), and Lodia Thomas, 51, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and illegal gambling. More than 90 gambling devices and over $13,000 cash have been seized from the Can Depot game room on Cedar Creek Parkway. The game room was shut down. Michael Ruff, 32, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamines. All other patrons found gambling at the Can Depot were cited for illegal gambling.

KILGORE – A standoff with Gregg County sheriff’s deputies just outside of Kilgore had a successful ending Monday night. A man, whose name has not been released, has been taken to a hospital for observation. It started around 5:00 Monday afternoon with a report of a man, who was disturbed, firing shots from inside a home on Danville road. No injuries were reported and the road, which had been closed during the incident, has been re-opened.

TYLER – School trustees at Monday night’s meeting approved attendance zones for the 2018-2019 school year for its 17 elementary schools. A news release from the school district quotes school superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford as saying that adjusting the elementary school attendance zones will balance enrollment projections, continue to offer neighborhood schools, provide efficiencies in resource allocation and allow administrative tools to be deployed prior to considering a tax referendum. Zoning information for all TISD schools is available at https://www.tylerisd.org/zones Letters from the district containing zoning information will also be sent to each Tyler ISD household by April 1.

LONGVIEW – A Monday recount has affirmed that Easton Mayor Shannon Brown won the March Democratic Primary for Gregg County Commissioner in Precinct 4. The recount total showed Brown with 1,047 votes to Kasha Williams’ tally of 1,042. Those are the same vote results shown election night. The Longview News Journal reports Williams may challenge the results and is seeking legal advice. The paper says the issue centers around mail-in ballots that pushed Brown to victory.

TYLER – Tyler police continue the investigation into a Sunday morning shooting that involved a Smith County sheriff’s deputy. Two off duty Smith County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were working security at Whataburger on Gentry Parkway. They heard several gun shots. Then, a second round of gunfire erupted that involved one of the deputies. The details of what occurred are still being investigated. Treated and released from a Tyler hospital was Khalil Collins, 22, of Hawkins. Still in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries is Brandon Woods, 22, also from Hawkins. Continue reading Deputy Involved Shooting Under Investigation

NACOGDOCHES – A suspect is in custody in connection with a threat made against a Nacogdoches School. Mike Moses Middle School Principal Stephen Autrey posted on Facebook Sunday the threat was made against his school on the social media. The investigation resulted into the arrest of the suspect before lunch time on Sunday. No details were released about the nature of the threat or information about the suspect. Autrey said in his posting, “With the individual in custody, we do not feel that a threat to our school remains.”

TYLER – Beginning Monday, TxDOT started traffic counts in the Tyler district’s 8 counties. Motorists will notice road tubes at 6,400 locations around the Tyler district. The traffic data will be collected 24 hours a day on all system roadways through April 26th. Contract personnel are collecting the data for TxDot in Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. The data is used for planning, funding distribution and pavement and bridge design. Other counts are also conducted annually by TxDOT’s Traffic Data Collection Programs.