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UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer man was arrested Friday on charges of capital murder of a person under 10, according to Gregg and Upshur County Jail records. KETK reports, Javarrious Troikimeyan Dixon, 22, was arrested by Longview police on an Upshur County warrant in connection to the March 2 death of an 11 month old. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail Friday night. Dixon has been transferred to the Upshur County Jail, records show, with his bond set at $5 million.

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to a 2015 sexual assault. According to the Longview News-Journal, Shanon Carroll Wiess, 48, displayed a pocketknife before repeatedly raping a Gladewater woman Aug. 28, 2015. Wiess and the woman were friends who met through a recovery group, and Wiess offered to drive her home. After multiple assaults, he dropped her off at Warren City City Hall on George Richey Road. Wiess will not be able to appeal his sentence as part of his plea and must complete at least one half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

TYLER – TxDOT has announced an emergency contract is being put in place to expedite the Farm Road 849 bridge replacement project. This comes after the westbound overpass, located at Interstate Highway 20 in Hideaway, sustained major structural damage when it was hit Tuesday morning by an oversized load carrying a tank vessel. Engineers have evaluated the structure and found it to be unsafe for traffic until the replacement is complete. The damage includes three of the four girders being struck including the top flange of the girders being pulled away from the concrete deck. Because construction plans to replace the structure have been previously completed, expediting the project is feasible and the best option since repairs would be costly and inefficient. The timeline for moving the project forward includes finalizing the construction plans and seeking bids by early December and work getting underway shortly after that. Continue reading Farm Road 849 Bridge will be Replaced

LONGVIEW – Longview police continue looking for a missing teenager. And they have more information about the man who may be with her. They are looking for Sophia Torres, 16. She is Hawaiian with black hair that is dyed red. She has dark brown eyes and is 5 feet 3 inches and weighs about 125 pounds. They believe she is with “Robby” Robert Dale Amburn, 27, of Longview. (pictured here) He drives a white 2006 Pontiac G6 TX LP BVN3624. Continue reading Longview Teen Still Missing

GREGG COUNTY – State troopers assisted Kilgore Police Department with a rolled over truck-tractor semi-trailer, that for a while, blocked the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County. Crews had to off-load some 60-plus head of cattle from the truck before they could remove the wreckage. It took several hours, but the traffic flow in the area between Mile Markers 589 and 588 has returned to normal.

GILMER – A Gladewater man has pleaded guilty in Upshur County to sexual assault. Shanon Carroll Wiess, 48, of Gladewater, pleaded guilty Friday, three days before his trial was to begin. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison. In August, 2015, Wiess is said to have driven the victim around Gregg and Upshur counties for 24 hours where he raped her repeatedly. He finally let her go at the Warren City Hall. The victim said Wiess displayed a knife. As a condition of the plea agreement, Weiss has waived his right to appeal.

BROWNSBORO – A Henderson County teen is arrested for showing nude pictures of an under age girl to school students. Arrested by Brownsboro ISD police was Braden C. Molloy, 18, of Chandler. The arrest follows an investigation that began about a week ago. Molloy was arrested on Thursday and charged with possession with intent to promote child pornography. He was released from the Henderson County jail on a $15,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – Since April, Longview police have arrested 8 persons for racing on city streets. The latest arrests occurred around 2:30 Friday morning on Spur 63. Arrested were Zachary Taylor Lampkin 22 (pictured) and Joseph Matthew Ballard 23, both of Longview. The men had their vehicles impounded. Lampkin was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

MURCHISON – A convicted felon is facing a variety of charges following a Henderson County traffic stop. Corey Jason Jones, 34, of Murchison was stopped on a county road near his hometown because of an expired vehicle registration. But the expired registration and a suspended driver’s license was the least of his worries. In his vehicle, the sheriff’s deputy found a glass pipe with white residue believed to be methamphetamine and a clear, plastic baggie containing a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine. He also had a rifle. Jones was booked into the Henderson county jail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER – Tyler police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person who is responsible for a series of thefts at Bishop T.K. Gorman and All Saints School. On Tuesday, a man got into the Gorman gym by telling a student that he was there to work on the floors. He then went to the boys’ locker room and stole several cell phones and personal belongings. On Wednesday, he used the same story to enter the All Saints locker room and steal the same type of items. If you can identify him, you are asked to contact Tyler Police or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers.

TYLER – A Tyler business man is still living on a platform on scaffolding in front of his business. He will stay there off the West Southwest Loop until he raises enough money to meet his goal. Clint Benefield started his quest at noon Wednesday to raise money to feed hungry in East Texans. Last year he raised $2,900 for the Salvation Army. This year he is attempting to raise $3,000 for the United Way of Smith County. The money he raises will be allocated to United Way partner agencies that deal directly with hunger. He says he will remain on that platform for up to a week if necessary. You can mail or drop off a donation to the United Way office in Tyler. You can also go to http://www.uwsmithcounty.org/FightHunger and make your donation online.

LONGVIEW — Hundreds of first responders turned out to support their co-worker who is battling stage four cancer. KETK reports the Longview Police Department organized a lunch fundraiser for Damon Weaver, an I.T. man for the city. Hundreds of police officers from across East Texas and some city residents. stopped by the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview to grab food and support their friend. Police officers call Weaver a great guy and say this is just a small way to support him in his battle.

EAST TEXAS — It’s been nicknamed “Bloody 31,” with residents complaining about the width of Texas Highway 31 and the number of accidents it causes. Now KETK reports TxDOT is considering widening the stretch from Tyler to Kilgore to make it safer and is offering alignment alternatives. The department is considering widening the two-lane highway to four lanes and redesigning the road so it curves and has grades that meet current standards. Vernon Webb, deputy district engineer for the Tyler District, points to some new funding sources that weren’t available four or five years ago. In the last seven years, there have been 32 deaths, and nearly 700 accidents. Webb says you can contact TxDOT to weigh in. It will be 5 years before work begins.

AUSTIN – Unemployment in Texas has fallen. The area report is slightly mixed. While the state added 71,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in October, unemployment in the state fell to 3.9%. That sets a record for the lowest unemployment rate recorded in four decades. Tyler’s unemployment went from 3.7% in September to 3.9%. It was 4.5% last October. In Longview, unemployment went from 4.5% in September down to 4% last month. That is far below the 6.2% rate last October.

SMITH COUNTY — Three men have been indicted on charges arising from the use of credit card skimmers in the Tyler area. According to KETK, Yoslays Garcia-Torres (pictured), 34, Daykel Madruga-Cartaya, 24, and Nelson Lemus-Torres, 24, were indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity by a Smith County Grand Jury November 9. Madruga-Cartaya also was indicted on a charge of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. All three are in the Smith County Jail, with bonds for Garcia-Torres and Lemus-Torres at $1.5 million each and for Madruga-Cartaya at $2.5 million. Continue reading Three Men Indicted on Charges Related to Card Skimming

HENDERSON – A man said to be responsible for a fatal Rusk County accident will be going to prison for a long period of time. The jury that found Walter Todd Miller, 60, guilty this week of intoxication manslaughter, sentenced him to 99 years in prison. According to the district attorney’s office, because of Miller’s criminal past, the jury was able to return such a lengthy sentence. In November, 2015, Miller’s vehicle veered into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with an oncoming vehicle. One person was killed and three injured in the wreck on Highway 79 between Henderson and New Summerfield. Miller’s blood alcohol content was said to have been nearly three times over the legal limit.

VAN – In September, state house member Dan Flynn of Van said he would run again. He has now made it official. This week Flynn filed for re-election for Texas House District 2. It covers Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt Counties. Flynn, a Republican, is in his sixth term. He serves as chairman of the House Pensions Committee and serves on the Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

TYLER — Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford delivered the annual State of the District Address this week. KETK reports he stressed challenges and goals for the coming year as well as district achievements over the school year. He also talked about the big changes in the district after the groundbreaking ceremonies for John Tyler and Robert E. Lee high schools. Crawford says, “We started off three years ago with a mantra of “Tradition will get you beaten.” While traditions are great, there are some things traditionally done in organizations that we need to quit doing and start looking for new ways to do it. So I think it’s been well received for the most part. Change is tough for a lot of people, but we can’t improve unless we change some of our adult behaviors.”

TYLER – The East Texas Human Needs Network is holding the annual “One Night Without a Home” event in Tyler. It is part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Activities start Friday afternoon at 4:00 with a dinner at the Salvation Army. Then, everyone will walk to Fun Forest Park for a Face of Hunger and Homelessness program. That will be followed by a candlelight vigil for the homeless who have died. After spending the night in the park, it’s up at 5:00 Saturday morning for a quick breakfast and a lessons learned conversation. Then, it’s a walk back to the Salvation Army. If you would like to participate, you need to go to http://www.ethnn.org and complete the on line registration which is required.

TYLER – Friday is Smith County Adoption Day. And a special program will show how you can help with a problem facing the state. More than 5,000 abused or neglected Texas children were adopted from state care last year. But as of September nearly 4,000 children and teens in the state are still looking for a home. You can find out how you can help. There will be a special program on adoptions Friday morning at 9:00. It will be held in the Galilee Room in the Worship Center Building of Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) – A Democratic mega donor, who grew up in Smith County, has died after a battle with a mental health issue. A powerful Texas trial lawyer and prominent backer of liberal causes and candidates, Steve Mostyn, grew up in Whitehouse. Mostyn gave generously for years to top Texas Democrats. Last year, he donated $1 million to a Hillary Clinton super PAC. Mostyn’s wife, Amber, did not confirm a cause of death but said, “If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, or experiencing a health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right now.” Mostyn was 46. Continue reading Democratic Mega Donor Mostyn Dies

TYLER – A Smith County man has been sentenced to prison for intoxication manslaughter. Michael Christopher Fielder Sr., 47, of Lindale, pleaded guilty Thursday morning in connection with the death of Gabriel Cocolan, 19. In connection with a plea agreement, he accepted a ten year prison sentence, and was sentenced by state district judge Christi Kennedy. On Super Bowl night, in February of last year,Fielder’s truck crossed over the center line on South Main in Lindale and hit the victim’s pickup, head-on. Fielder’s blood alcohol content was .117.

BERRYVILLE – Two persons have been busted following a traffic stop in Henderson County. Charged with possession of a controlled substance was Michele Leigh Myers, 48. Arrested on two outstanding warrants from Henderson County was Charles James Myers, 34. Both are from Tyler. The two were shopped after leaving a game room. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said during the traffic stop a search of the vehicle, Michele Myers was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and paraphernalia commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.

GILMER — A Gilmer man and woman have been arrested and are now facing prostitution accusations in Upshur County. KETK reports Racquel Moore has been charged with prostitution and possession of marijuana, and Fredrick Thomas is also being held on drug charges. After online advertisements were discovered promoting prostitution in Upshur County, the sheriff’s office launched an investigation which led to the arrests.

TYLER – The City of Tyler has received the Community Partner of the Year Award from Tyler ISD. It was presented during the annual State of the District luncheon on Wednesday. The award was established in 2014 through a partnership with Tyler ISD and the Tyler Area Business Education Council. The award is given annually to organizations that provide exceptional and innovative support to Tyler ISD. Continue reading Tyler Receives Award from TISD

TYLER – The Tyler Rose Garden has a new attraction. It’s a sundial. The family of the 2017 Rose Queen, Miss Emily Evans, had the very special piece of art made for the Rose Garden for all to see during the 2017 Tyler Rose Festival. The Celestial Wonders sundial was a gift from Mrs. Emily Nichols in honor of her granddaughter and in dedication to her husband, Mr. Fred Nichols. A dedication ceremony was held Wednesday and the sundial has been installed in the garden next to the historical wall which was the original entrance to the garden. It was made by artist Charles Strack for the coronation ceremony and the family donated the piece to the City of Tyler.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Brigettee Henderson of Lufkin and Ken Schaefer of Brownsville to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents for terms set to expire on January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2019, respectively. In addition, the governor has appointed Karen Gantt of McKinney and Tom Mason of Dallas for terms set to expire on January 31, 2023.

MARSHALL – East Texas Baptist University on Wednesday entered into its seventh articulation agreement with area schools. The latest is with Navarro College. School officials say the agreement will provide additional academic opportunities for students of both institutions. ETBU has entered into recent partnerships with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Kilgore College, Jacksonville College, Trinity Valley Community College, Youth With A Mission and Panola College. And they say they will continue to establish and further relationships with more institutions.

ATHENS – A Canton man has been arrested in Henderson County on a charge of online solicitation of a minor. Frank Polk, 70, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Henderson County Sheriff’s office, the Henderson County District Attorney and the State Attorney General’s office. An investigator posing as as teenage girl spoke with Polk online and agreed to meet Tuesday afternoon. When he showed up, sheriff’s deputies arrested him. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says Polk confessed to the crime. He’s in the Henderson County Jail under a $30,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is arrested after a traffic stop yields drugs. The truck of Tarvio Dwayne Cooper Jr., 28, was stopped on Wells Street. Turned out Cooper was wanted for an outstanding warrant. After the officer smelled marijuana, his truck was searched. In a knapsack in the bed of the truck they found 35.2 grams of crack cocaine, 3.2 grams of ecstasy, 14.2 grams of marijuana, and money. Besides the original warrant, Cooper is also charged with possession of marijuana and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. He remains in the Gregg County Jail.