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TYLER — A Smith County couple has been arrested after being accused of leaving their 7 year old daughter locked in a bathroom. Smith County sheriff’s deputies were called to the Oasis convenience store, 14773 Hwy 110 North Saturday morning regarding a little girl who was found at the store alone. She told deputies that her parents had locked her in the restroom of her house and had left her alone as punishment. Continue reading Couple Charged with Child Abandonment

QUITMAN — A Mineola man was taken into custody Sunday morning for allegedly firing rounds inside a person’s vehicle. Authorities say around 5:30 a.m., the Wood County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary on FM 49. While law officers responded to the scene, dispatchers learned a man was inside the caller’s vehicle shooting a gun. When authorities arrived at the home, they found Brandon Corey Chrietzberg, 40, in the back yard. Deputies also found two guns near the suspect and bullet holes in the interior of the vehicle involved. Chrietzberg was arrested and booked into the Wood County Jail. He is charged with deadly conduct, mischief, and burglary of a vehicle. The suspect’s bond was set at $73,000.

TYLER — Smith County is implementing a program to help curb dangerous speeding in school zones, reduce collisions, and enhance the safety of children and pedestrians in the community. According to a news release, the county is partnering with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) to launch a school zone safety camera program. “Smith County is focused on public safety and limited enforcement to ensure the safety of the community’s school children,” County Judge Joel Baker said. “I believe it is a more efficient way to enforce laws that are already in place.” Continue reading Smith County Partners for School Safety Zone Program

WHITE OAK — Ten homes were damaged Monday morning when two oil tanks exploded in White Oak. According to KETK, fire officials said the tank caught fire at around 3 a.m. Three homes at the Lake Harris Mobile Home Park suffered extensive heat damage and others were hit by metal debris. Authorities believe a lightning strike may have sparked the blaze. Firefighters monitored the flames as they burned themselves out off South Lake Harris Road. Martineau Operating Co. has shut down production at the site until further notice. A woman was taken to a local hospital after stepping on glass, but no other injuries were reported. Residents in the area were evacuated during the incident but have since returned to their homes. White Oak, East Mountain, and Clarksville City Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene.

HARRISON COUNTY — One person has been killed in a Harrison County crash involving a tractor trailer. The wreck occurred Monday morning just before 5:00. According to KETK, the Department of Public Safety said the deceased driver is Allan Douglas Rambin, 56, of Big Sandy. A hazmat crew responded to the scene on Davidson Road to clean up a crude oil spill. The site, near Harleton, is located a few miles off FM 450, east of Diana. Davidson Road was shut down to allow crews to clear the oil. How the crash occurred was not immediately known.

EAST TEXAS — The clean up continues in the wake of widespread damage in East Texas caused by storms that passed through the area Sunday night. Here’s a partial rundown as reported by KETK:
*Ten homes have been damaged when two oil tanks exploded in White Oak. According to KETK, fire officials said the tank caught fire at around 3:00 Monday morning. Three homes at the Lake Harris Mobile Home Park suffered extensive heat damage and others were hit by metal debris. Authorities believe a lightning strike may have sparked the blaze. Firefighters monitored the flames as they burned themselves out off South Lake Harris Road. Martineau Operating Co. has shut down production at the site until further notice. A woman was taken to a local hospital after stepping on glass, but no other injuries were reported. Residents in the area were evacuated during the incident but have since returned to their homes. White Oak, East Mountain, and Clarksville City Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene. Continue reading Severe Weather Damage in East Texas

TYLER — The death of an infant is under investigation by Tyler Police. Authorities say police, fire, and EMS personnel responded to 6312 Springbrook Drive in Tyler shortly after 10:45 Saturday morning in reference to an infant who was not responsive. The mother told police that she was sleeping in her bed with her 8-month-old son and upon waking at around 10:30 found him cold and unresponsive. EMS responded but the child was found to be deceased. The infant was transported to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy.

KILGORE — One person is dead after a vehicle and motorcycle collided in Kilgore. KETK reports that on Saturday at approximately 4:35 p.m., Kilgore police officers responded to a crash at the intersection of State Highway 135 North and Peavine Road. According to authorities, the initial investigation revealed a car driven by Angel Tovias Fajardo, 26, of Kilgore, was traveling eastbound on Peavine and tried to cross the northbound lane of Highway 135 traffic, failing to yield to traffic. The vehicle was then struck by a motorcycle, driven by Joshua Shane Clinton, 37, of Overton. Clinton was traveling northbound in the 4000 block of SH 135N in the outside lane of traffic. Clinton died as a result of injuries from the crash. Continue reading One Killed in Kilgore Wreck

EAST TEXAS — Early voting is underway as of Monday and runs through May 5 in the May 9 municipal elections in East Texas. A number of candidates and issues are on ballots throughout the region. Among other things, Longview will soon have a new mayor, and there will be a change on the Tyler City Council. Check with your local governmental entities for more information. In Smith County, you can check http://smith-county.com/Government/Departments/Elections/ElectionInfo.aspx for a more complete rundown.

SMITH COUNTY — Fire officials are investigating an early morning house fire. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and KETK, a home in the 1500 block of Cooks Crossing caught fire Monday morning. They believe it was caused by a lightning strike. Details are limited.

EAST TEXAS — According to officials at Rusk Independent School District and Alto Independent School District, Monday’s classes were canceled due to weather-related problems. District leaders informed KETK of the closing around 8:15 a.m.

LONGVIEW — Officials got busy Monday selecting jurors in the capital murder trial of Brendan Xavier Douglas, 25. He has been charged with aggravated robbery and capital murder in the May 15, 2012, shooting death of DeAundray Lamanze Rossum, 23. The shooting occurred in a parking lot at the Signal Hill Apartments on Longview’s south side. Also charged in the case are Torry and Deion Reed.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — A swimming accident has claimed the life of a Sulphur Springs High School Senior. Isaac Perez died while swimming on Saturday. The announcement was made on the band’s Facebook page, where school employee Cindy Welch released the following statement: “There are some students who quietly gain your respect and affection. They don’t draw much attention to themselves, just steadily pursue goals with quiet determination. Isaac Perez, an SSHS Band Senior, was such a young man. He gave it all on the football field and right in the middle of the game gave it all on the marching field. We lost Isaac today in a swimming accident. Our SSHS band family will miss him very much.”

TYLER Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of April 27, 2015. Schedules are subject to change due to weather, equipment or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention in these and all work zones.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct base repair work on Farm Road 2015 between Farm Road 14 and Farm Road 16 as well as on Farm Road 1805 between Farm Road 1252 and the Van Zandt County line. Expect lane closures with traffic controlled by flaggers. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

ANGELINA COUNTY — Investigators searched a Huntington property after complaints of cock fighting and gambling Saturday. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Dallas County District Attorney Office executed the search warrant at 224 Clark Road. Twenty people were arrested and felony charges are expected to be filed. According to KETK, cock fighting paraphernalia, gambling paraphernalia and live animals were seized. Continue reading Cockfighting Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests

LONVIEW — Police say one person involved in a major vehicle accident in Longview on Tuesday has died. Wanda McCowan, 39, died Saturday at a Longview hospital after being injured in a head-on collision. According to KETK, she was the driver who investigators believes caused a three vehicle accident that injured several people, including two small children. Investigators determined a Kia Sorento, driven by Connie Jimmerson, Longview, was headed west on West Loop 281 when her vehicle was hit by McCowan traveling in the other direction. Police determined the McCowan drove into the center turn lane and then entered Jimmerson’s lane, causing the wreck. Continue reading Woman Involved in Major Longview Accident Dies

PALESTINE — Police are investigating an aggravated robbery in Palestine. It happened just before 11:30 Friday night at the Chanel Stop & Go convenience store in the 1900 block of West Oak Street. According to KETK, two armed black men, wearing ski masks, entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The store clerk says one of the men then came behind the counter and pointed a gun at the back of her head. The second man reportedly stole the clerk’s purse, identification, and cash. The two men then left the store. No injuries were reported. Continue reading Palestine Robbery Under Investigation

TYLER — Lightning appears to be the cause of a house fire in Tyler late Friday night. It happened in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road just before 10:30. According to KETK, when firefighters arrived at the scene, the entire second floor of the house was in engulfed. After several hours, fire crews were able to completely extinguish the blaze. The first floor received minor smoke and water damage. No one was injured during the blaze. Fire investigators say the fire was sparked by lightning.

EAST TEXAS — A state prosecutor who helped secure convictions in the Kilgore Kentucky Fried Chicken murders is one of two new prosecutors appointed in the Bernie Tiede case. According to the Longview News-Journal, documents from the Panola County District Clerk’s Office show Texas Assistant Attorney General Lisa Tanner, who worked on the KFC case, will take over Tiede’s case from Panola County District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson. Jane Starnes, another Texas assistant attorney general, also will be a prosecutor in the case. Starnes helped convict Eddie Ray Routh earlier this year in Stephenville in the death of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle. Continue reading New Prosecutor Named in Bernie Tiede Case

PALESTINE — A Palestine woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for allegedly driving drunk with a baby in her car. According to KETK, Anderson County Chief Deputy Troy Black said at around 2:30 p.m., dispatchers received several calls about a vehicle driving recklessly on Highway 19 N near Palestine. Callers told officials the automobile was only doing 30 miles per hour but was swerving all over the road and driving into the path of oncoming traffic. Continue reading Woman Allegedly Drives Drunk with Baby in Car

TYLER — Students on the Patriot Talon staff at The University of Texas at Tyler received 33 awards at the 2015 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention, Dr. Dennis Cali, UT Tyler Department of Communication chair, announced. The annual convention is an opportunity for student journalists to compete in on-site competitions and be recognized for work from previous publications. The Talon staff received “Best of Show” in Div. II, one of five divisions. The staff also received “Best Website Navigation” and an honorable mention for “Best Online Interactivity” in Div. II as well as third place in “Overall Excellence” in Div. III. Continue reading Patriot Talon, Adviser at UTT Recognized for Excellence in Journalism

TYLER — Tyler police say Christopher Champion, 28, was taken into custody Friday by the U. S. Marshals Task Force in Austin. Champion was the third family member who was wanted by Tyler police on outstanding warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of a controlled substance. A two-month Tyler Police narcotics investigation recently led to a large seizure of hashish, marijuana, cash, and weapons, as well as warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity. Continue reading Third Family Member Arrested in Tyler Drug Case

ATHENS — A Henderson County man has been indicted for attempting to kill a peace officer. According to KETK, authorities report a grand jury handed up the indictment of Steven Clement Rei, 48, of Mabank, on April 9. Around 10:00 p.m. on January 22, deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of North Cherokee Shores Drive in Cherokee Shores in response to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm. When deputies made it to the scene, they met a woman who called outside the house and were told Rei had displayed a 9mm handgun during an argument. Continue reading Man Indicted for Attempted Capital Murder of Peace Officer

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department and Tyler Independent School District officers are searching for a person who allegedly broke into a local school. According to KETK, the reported break-in happened at Moore Middle School, 1200 South Tipton Avenue on Wednesday, April 15. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police at 903-262-1111.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House briefly approved new abortion restrictions involving fetuses with severe abnormalities before a sweeping health bill was quickly withdrawn. The unexpected vote Thursday marked a new push by Republicans to further tighten Texas abortion restrictions that are already among the toughest in the nation. Abortions are banned in Texas after 20 weeks except when the fetus has severe health defects. While the Republican-controlled House debated a mundane health agency bill, state Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler successfully tacked on a rider that would end that exception. The entire bill was later pulled down after Democrats launched technical objections. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is strongly anti-abortion but the issue has not been a priority in his first session.

NACOGDOCHES — Human remains found in Nacogdoches County last month have been identified. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday the body was that of Justin Farrell, 31, of Nacogdoches. He was reported missing in May, 2004. The human remains were found north of Cushing on March 13th. A person looking for their pet in the woods discovered found a bone believed to be human remains. Sheriff’s deputies and Texas Rangers searched the area and discovered other remains. At the time, investigators said foul play may be involved. On yesterday’s news release, the death is described as “questionable.” When Ferrell disappeared he was driving a silver 1996 Dodge Ram. The pickup has not been found.

LUFKIN (AP) — An East Texas official says the use of improper fuel is believed to have caused the crash landing of a private plane last week that injured the pilot and two passengers. Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter told The Lufkin Daily News that a lineman at the Angelina County Airport misidentified Edd Hendee’s Cessna 421B aircraft and filled it with the wrong fuel. The aircraft made a crash landing April 17 beside U.S. 59 near Diboll, ending up in a grassy area. Hendee and his two passengers suffered minor injuries. Hendee is a former radio talk show host in Houston, where he also owns a restaurant.

SMITH COUNTY — A Department of Public Safety trooper was injured in a 2-vehicle crash near Highway 64 East in Smith County. According to KETK, Trooper Jean Dark says her office was notified of the rollover wreck on Farm Road 848 and Spur 248 shortly after 12:15 yesterday afternoon. A preliminary crash investigation revealed a driver was headed north on FM 848 when that driver’s car, for unknown reasons, left the right side of the road and overcorrected into the southbound lane. The vehicle then slammed into the side of the trooper’s SUV and sent the vehicle rolling. The trooper had tried to avoid the crash, but was not able to. Dark said the trooper was taken to Mother Frances Hospital with minor injuries. The trooper’s name was not immediately released.

TYLER — A suspect in a Tyler bank robbery has been caught shortly after the crime was committed. And he was caught at his home only four blocks away. Shortly after 1:00 yesterday afternoon, Tyler police responded to Regions Bank at 100 East Ferguson. According to police, Samuel Dwayne Carroll, 45, presented a note to the teller informing her that he was robbing the bank. After receiving the money, police say Carroll fled the bank on foot. No one was hurt. Continue reading Tyler Bank Robbed, Suspect Caught

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has begun construction of a multi-purpose, two-story facility that will be the UT Tyler Alumni House – the central home for all UT Tyler alumni. A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the latest addition to the Tyler campus was held Thursday in the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center Ballroom. At almost 13,000 square feet, the UT Tyler Alumni House will serve not only UT Tyler alumni but also the university and Tyler community. Continue reading UT Tyler Breaks Ground on Alumni House