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TYLER — The annual scholarship golf tournament for the Tyler Junior College Foundation broke previous fundraising records. The 32 annual tournament, held earlier this week brought in $100,000 in scholarship funds for TJC students. The 79 TJC students who were awarded $1,000 scholarships from last year’s tournament served as tournament volunteers this year; as did the TJC men’s and women’s golf teams. TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia, on behalf of the College, surprised seven TJC students with a Corporate Scholars award, which is a $5,000 two-year scholarship.

TYLER — A Smith county jury convicted William Glasscock of Bullard on Wednesday. The jury returned a verdict of Life Without Parole. The Smith County Children’s Advocacy Center led to Glasscock’s arrest in January of 2018. The Defendant eventually bonded out of jail and fled to Louisiana where he was later apprehended by the U.S Marshal’s task force. Smith County Assistant District Attorneys presented the evidence over two days in the 241st District Court. The Defendant faced punishment from 25 years to Life without parole.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry R. Smith & Friends held the Smiles FORE Kids 5th Annual Golf Tournament at Hideaway Golf Sheriff Smith and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Tyler Police Department, Tyler Fire Department, UT Health East Texas EMS and the Smith County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office. This tournament benefitted the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County. Money was raised in a variety of ways including dropping golf balls onto the golf course from the UT Health East Texas Air 1 helicopter. Over $50,000 was raised that will directly benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County. Approximately $170,000 has been raised since the inaugural tournament.

TYLER — A 62-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Joseph Valdie Kimble pleaded guilty to health care fraud. Kimble’s plea was announced Wednesday during a press conference held in Dallas. Kimble operated Tiger EMS, according to information presented in court, Kimble disregarded medical necessity requirements and billed Medicare and Medicaid for ambulance services that were not medically necessary. The plea agreement provides for an agreed sentence of 30 months in federal prison and $751,986.80 in restitution. Continue reading Longview Ambulance Operator Guilty of Health Care Fraud

TYLER — Growth strategies are an increasing part of the plan for U.T. Tyler following record highs in graduation and retention numbers. U.T. Tyler has released official census numbers for fall 2019. The data reveals record high freshman retention, which creates the largest sophmore class in the schools history; a 10% increase. However, overall enrollment was down 524 students compared to the numbers last fall. Some graduate programs had record enrollments, including Fisch College of Pharmacy, which had 329 students.

WHITEHOUSE — The children of a Whitehouse home have been taken into Child Protective Services following an investigation into physical abuse. Cheryl and Mark Layne were arrested on Tuesday and each was charged with Injury to a Child. Smith County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to Whitehouse ISD after the the teens shared the allegations with the Whitehouse Police Department School Resource Officer. Continue reading Whitehouse Couple Arrested on Child Abuse Charges

KILGORE — The Risk Management Institute at Kilgore College is making available several free safety classes through December to train and educate local employers, employees and the general public about appropriate workplace safety. While all classes are free, advance registration is required. Classes will be held in Kilgore in the Whitten Applied Technology Center on S. Henderson Blvd. or in the Woodfin Center on Ross Ave. Class locations and room numbers will be emailed to students upon completion of registration. Continue reading Free CEU’s Offered by KC Risk Management Institute

LONGVIEW — Brent Road was opened to all traffic on Tuesday. Major construction activities have been completed at the creek crossing between Autumn Lane and Snoddy Road. Minor items do remain, which will require limited interruption to traffic. The street work is provided through a collaboration between Gregg County Precinct 1 and the City of Longview which reconstructed the creek crossing with concrete box culvert, headwalls, updated guardrails, asphalt pavement, and water main modifications.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Overton on Tuesday to take stary dogs into the Smith County Animal Shelter. Since the Smith County Animal Shelter opened in December 2016, the Commissioners Court has approved similar agreements with the cities of Bullard, Troup, Arp, Winona and Whitehouse. The City of Overton will pay $50 per dog brought to the shelter,and an additional $35 for each dog requiring euthanasia. Dogs are typically only euthanized at the county animal shelter when they are dangerous to others or severely injured.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department Tuesday activated six members of the water rescue team to be deployed with the Texas Task Force. The deployment is in response to the tropical storms expected to make landfall in Texas this week. The six member team will travel to College Station for staging and from there they will respond where needed.

TYLER — A 45-year-old Tyler man asserted guilty to federal violations on Tuesday. Eleazar Juarez Juarez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce, transfer, and forge false identification documents. According to information presented in court, Juarez was involved in a conspiracy to produce and sell fictitious U.S. identification documents beginning in April 2009. The false documents included U.S. Social Security cards and Permanent Residence cards. Juarez Juarez is responsible for the transfer of at least 25 false identification documents as part of this conspiracy. Juarez Juarez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April. He faces up to 5 years in federal prison at sentencing.

MARSHALL — Authorities say there have been 146 hit and run crashes reported in Marshall through the first 9 and a half months of this year. With a goal of reducing that number, officials are reminding motorists of necessary steps to take if you are involved in an accident. Under the Texas Transportation Code, a driver must stop and take certain actions after a crash that results in property damage or injury to another driver. In order to avoid the criminal charge of leaving the scene of an accident, a driver must do the following… Continue reading 146 Hit and Run Accidents in Marshall so far in 2019

ATHENS — The Henderson County Commissioner’s Court has extended a burn ban for another 28 days, according to our news partner KETK. Commissioner’s meet earlier Tuesday in Athens and moved forward with item 2 on the agenda to take another 4 weeks to prohibit outdoor burning. Many East Texas counties have been under bans for weeks after a long period of near-100 degree temperatures and very little rain.

TYLER — A boating accident earlier this summer claimed the life of a 14 year-old. On Tuesday, Jeffery Joe Hampton, 31 of Tyler, was formally indicted for manslaughter and accidental boating death. Hampton is accused of running his boat into Roberto Carlos Bermejo Hernandez on Lake Palestine. Officials took blood to be sent off for a toxicology report. Hampton has previous convictions for DWI and drug possession. Hampton’s trial date is scheduled for December 2. He is being held on bond of $850,000 for the two charges. He is due in court for arraignment October 4.

MARSHALL — A Marshall ISD school bus was involved in an accident Tuesday morning, according to the school district’s Facebook page. The wreck at the corner of Pinecrest and Rosborough Springs involved bus 32, after what appears to be a vehicle ran a red light. Students were evacuated by first responders and evaluated. Officials said on the schools facebook page, that none of the injuries were life threatening.

TYLER — A viral video has sparked an internal investigation by the city of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the video of a 12 year old crossing Pauluxy in a busy cross walk has been viewed over 30,000 times. The video has caught the attention of city officials who are now conducting an internal investigation. The City of Tyler employs all school crossing guards including the one on Paluxy. The crossing guard says she is there from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. until 4:45 p.m., but the viral video was taken at 4:22 p.m. on Friday. Tyler PD reminds motorist that the law is to stop for pedestrians crossing the street at a crosswalk.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Robinson, 63, was booked into the Smith County Jail at 11:30 p.m. Monday night after an arrest warrant was signed by 114th District Judge Christi Kennedy. Robinson is being held on a $500,000 cash bond.

MARSHALL — One person has been arrested for stabbing her boyfriend. According to a press release from Marhsall Police, Latoya Leadetta James was arrested after a disagreement with her boyfriend. Earnest Cooks, said James tried to hit him, then picked up a knife and stabbed him in the chest when he tried to leave the apartment. Cooks was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. James was arrested and charged with aggravated assault family violence with a deadly weapon and was being held in the Harrison County Jail.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced Monday that it is seeking participants for the third year of the “Born to Read” literacy program, which promotes early childhood literacy in East Texas. The Born to Read program is designed for expectant mothers, parents and legal guardians of children up to 3 years old. The program is free to the first 25 participants who register by Monday, Sept. 30. Participants will be involved in the program through June 30, 2020. Continue reading UT Tyler Seeking Participants for ‘Born to Read’ Program

TYLER — The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is set to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. According to a relase from the city, a ceremony will be held in mid-October following the two-year application process. Established in 1952, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the nation’s largest rose garden, spanning 14 acres, with over 38,000 rose bushes and 600 different varieties.

LONGVIEW — A trial originally set to begin on Monday has been pushed back two weeks. According to our news partner KETK, the man accused of threatening East Texas high schools on social media will now start on Monday, the 30th. David Nelson, 22, will stand trial in the 188th District Court in Longview. Nelson according to Kilgore police said it was a practical joke. Nelson is charged with making terroristic threats, for posting threats to Kilgore and Longview High Schools on Snapchat. If convicted of the 3rd degree felony, Nelson faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000.

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a female student was found unresponsive Saturday evening in one of the school’s residence halls. EMS “was immediately called,” but the student died. The school notified the student’s family and met with them on campus. Foul play is not suspected, according to the statement. The TJC Police Department is investigating, and an autopsy has been ordered. In a Facebook post, Terrell ISD identified the student as Na’Khyria Lampkin, a 2019 graduate of Terrell High School. She was in her Freshman year at Tyler Junior College. The school is encouraging students, faculty and staff to utilize the campus resources available to aid in their grief.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Healthy Kids Running Series to offer a five-week running program which promotes an active, healthy lifestyle for kids. The goal is to provide a fun, positive environment and to challenge commitment to an active lifestyle. The program begins 2 weeks from Sunday and will continue for five consecutive Sundays. Registration is currently open for children ages 2 to 14 and is $35 per child. Children will receive a finisher’s medal, race bag and a t-shirt for their achievements. Continue reading Healthy Kids to Run Series Offered at Pollard Park

TYLER–The cost of owning a car begins after the purchase. Whether you’re dealing with an oil change or have major repairs to take care of, it’s important to use a mechanic or auto shop who is worthy of your trust. In 2018, BBB received 1.6 million inquiries and over 7,650 complaints on auto repair shops. BBB reminds consumers to do their homework before choosing a mechanic for vehicle repairs and maintenance. Continue reading BBB Column: Avoid Auto Repair Despair

TYLER — Vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death among children. This week marks National Child Passenger Safety Week. A call to action that hopes to bring awareness to the importance of children being properly buckled, in the right car seat. The Texas Department of Transportation and its partners are hosting two FREE car seat checkup events. The first is Tuesday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Maude Cobb Convention Center AG Pavilion on Grand Blvd. in Longview. Continue reading Free Car Seat Checkups for Child Safety Week

TYLER — The Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area revealed their 2019 Stock Market Challenge on Friday. The inaugural event has a goal to inspire youth and adults to learn about saving and investing. The event will take place mid October at Tyler Junior College. The JA Stock Market Challenge will prepare youth for the unpredictable ride of the highs and lows of the stock market! Continue reading Junior Achievement Announces Stock Market Challenge

TYLER — The Texas Twelfth Court of Appeals will hear Oral Arguments at the Smith County Bar Foundation’s annual Constitution Day event on Tuesday. The “proceedings” will start at 10 a.m. in the Apache Rooms of Rogers Student Center, on the main campus of Tyler Junior College. The Twelfth Court of Appeals consists of Chief Justice James T. Worthen, Justice Brian Hoyle and Justice Greg Neeley. Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Continue reading Constitution Day to be Honored on Tuesday at TJC with Court of Appeals

MARSHALL — The national 2020 U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of “America’s Best Colleges” has been announced and LeTourneau University comes in ranked 25th in its category of “Best Regional Universities in the Western Region.” LETU has been in the top tier for more than a quarter-century. Among “Great Schools Great Prices” ranking of schools that provide a “Best Value” for regional universities in the West, LETU was ranked 14th. The computation looks at ratio of quality to price, need-based aid and average discount.

TYLER –The free bulky item collection is coming soon to the City of Tyler residential customers. This happens a courtesy of the Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful. The campaign for the free collection period is Sept. 30 through Oct. 4. If you plan on participating, items need to be at the curb by Monday the 30th. Once crews have picked up your street, do not put more items out. Continue reading Bulky Items Collection in Tyler

LONGVIEW — Longview Community Ministries is preparing for the 11th annual TOUCH A TRUCK~ FEED A FAMILY fundraising event. The funis set for Saturday, October 5 from 11-3p.m. at the Longview Mall. Admission is free, however a donations of a jar of peanut butter or a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. There will be entertainment, great food, and lots of vehicles for you to see up close and personal. There will be trucks, buses, cranes, helicopters, children’s activities, entertainment and more! Continue reading Fundraising Event Coming to Longview