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EAST TEXAS — A Longview woman found dead in Upshur County apparently knew the couple charged in her murder. According to the Longview News-Journal and our news partner KETK, Lindsey Jo McFadden, 29, of Longview and Carlton Lamar Grant, 37, of the Dallas area were charged with capital murder in the death of Rachel Rhoads, 24. McFadden and Rhoads were said to be friends who attended drug rehab classes together. McFadden told investigators that the three of them had left Rhoads’ apartment March 29 in Rhoads’ car. A short time later, she was choked with a zip tie. Her official cause of death was strangulation. Continue reading Suspects Strangled, Set Fire to Body of Longview Woman

HENDERSON COUNTY — A suspected Henderson County drug dealer is arrested. 47-year-old Jarrod Barton is charged with selling meth. He was arrested after officials served a search warrant at a mechanic shop in the Lake Palestine area. Along with the meth, deputies found a Harley Davidson motorcycle reported stolen in 2015 from the Texas Panhandle. Charges for possession of the stolen motorcycle are pending. Miranda Roberts, 35, was also arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Nueces County for possession of a dangerous drug.

TYLER – You have four weeks to go in Smith County’s bi-annual cleanup program. Smith County residents can use vouchers to redeem at the landfill on the Old Kilgore Highway. The vouchers are available at the courthouse annex and all JP and constables’ offices. You can take 3 cubic yards of solid waste, which fills the bed of a regular sized pickup, and bulk items to the landfill. Then, the last week of the month, Tyler is having its free bulky item collection. This is where the city picks up large bulky items you put on the curb. Such things as furniture, appliances and large items that would normally require a special fee. Great help with your spring cleaning.

LINDALE – Lindale police are asking the public’s help in identifying a theft suspect. She is said to have stolen some items from Walmart, some of which have been recovered. She was an in a dark colored, possibly Maroon or black 4 door passenger car. If you know her, you are asked to contact detectives Curtis Philpot or Chris Dworaczyk at 903-882-3313.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault following a late Sunday night accident. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police say 46-year-old Christopher Roman Darden was traveling north on Eastman Road near the East Marshall Avenue intersection when he veered into oncoming traffic and struck a southbound vehicle head-on. The driver, Gloria Guillermo Arrerola, was killed, and her passenger, Joselyn Esparza, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Darden was released from a hospital and jailed around 4:10 Monday morning. No bond was immediately set. Darden has a lengthy criminal history dating to 1995.

TYLER — This past weekend was the first of the season for the Rose City Farmers Market. According to our news partner KETK, it opened in downtown Tyler across from the Off Square Downtown shopping center. The market is within walking distance of the square and the Azalea District. The past three years, it’s been operating at Juls, which has since converted from a restaurant to an events venue. Now organizers say they hope to reach more people in the new location.

KILGORE — Kilgore College alumnus Mike Clements, owner of Energy Weldfab, is continuing his philanthropy with a $45,000 donation. The money will endow three Culinary Arts student scholarships at KC in memory of Clements’s late wife, Amy. The Culinary Arts program began at KC in 2012. According to a news release, it prepares students for careers in the nation’s second-largest private sector business –- food service. The program offers two certificates and an associate of applied science degree. Scholarships endowed by Clements will benefit Culinary Arts students each year.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Department of History announces its 2018 scholarships that recognize outstanding academic success among UT Tyler history majors. According to a news release, this year’s Edwin Morgan and Frank H. Smyrl Endowed History Scholar is Jeanna Mankins, and the Phil Stacy Jackson History Scholar is Taylor Foster. Mankins and Foster, both of Tyler, received $750 and $500, respectively.

LONGVIEW — Longview City Council will soon begin its annual process of appointing new members to boards, commissions, and committees, and residents are encouraged to submit their applications. Members advise the City Council on issues ranging from parks to community development. Residents are encouraged to apply at https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2200/Boards-and-Commissions by April 30. The annual appointments will be made in June. You can go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1378 for more details.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’S Tyler District during the week of April 9. Tyler Maintenance plans to conduct overlay operations on FM 1252 from FM 757 eastward for about two miles. A second crew will be performing pavement repairs on SH 64E just west of Arp. Longview Maintenance plans to continue mill and inlay hot mix asphalt operations on SH 31 from BU 259/FM 349 toward I-20. Go to http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/015-2018.html for a full rundown of work around the district.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department handed out numerous honors during its 27th Annual Awards Banquet Saturday at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Jim Mullicane (pictured with Fire Chief David Coble) was honored as Firefighter of the Year. The Chief’s Certificate of Valor went to firefighter Clint Herron, and firefighter Robby Roberson won the Life Saving Award. The District 2 C-Shift earned the Outstanding District Award, and several retirees were recognized for their long tours of duty with the fire department. Other honors were given for customer service and teamwork. The department also recognized personnel who have been promoted over the past year.

TYLER – Smith County authorities have arrested a woman on gambling violations. In the Smith County Jail under a $100,000 bond is Monica Prado, 39, of Tyler. She is charged with gambling promotion and possession of gambling device/equipment/paraphernalia. Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Darrell Coslin tells KTBB, she was arrested on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation from November 2017. It involves a location on Highway 64 East. Detectives discovered that the location was operating as an illegal gaming room. And Sgt Coslin says the investigation is continuing.

PALESTINE – The Texas State Railroad has decided to increase local management. Named as general manager of excursion operations and guest experiences is Daniel Adair. Named as sales and marketing associate is Jennifer Price. Adair comes to East Texas by way of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Price has spent most of her life in East Texas

GILMER – Two persons have been charged with capital murder in the death of a Longview woman, whose body was found last Sunday. At a news conference Friday afternoon, Upshur County sheriff Larry Webb announced Lindsey McFadden, 29, of Longview and Carlton Grant, 37, from the Metroplex, have been charged with the death of Rachel Rhoads, 24. She was reported missing March 31st. Her body was found a day later off Farm Road 726, just north of Highway 154 in Upshur County. Officials say they can’t discuss the autopsy results because of a gag order in the case. They did say, they filed capital murder charges in the case because Rhoads was killed as she was being kidnapped.

BIG SANDY – A shelter in place alert has been lifted in the Big Sandy school district. It was issued Friday morning following a threat made on social media. The school district said on its Facebook page, treating the threat very seriously, all students were kept in their first period classes as a safety precaution. When they felt confident that there was no threat at the school, the shelter in place alert was lifted early in the second period. No word on what type of threat was made.

HENDERSON — Henderson officials have pulled the body of 17-year-old Carlisle High School student Jonathan Cano from a lake after he reportedly tried to help a person in distress. According to KETK, police say the teen died at Lake Forest Park on Highway 64 near the Henderson Police Department. Police say they were called around 7:10 Thursday evening to the park’s gazebo after reports of a possible drowning. The body was recovered around 8:40 p.m. Authorities say two fishermen were able to save the other person. The Carlisle ISD is offering its condolences. School officials added that counselors would be available beginning Friday and in coming days to students and staff who need to deal with their grief.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office seeks a suspect in a predawn March 25 attack at a home on County Road 192 near the Hayes soccer fields. Deputies say a woman suffering from multiple injuries told them 24-year-old Michael Xavier Medlock had entered the residence while she was asleep. She said he put his hands around her neck and began choking her, pulling her back as she tried to escape through a window. She said Medlock took off after he saw a large amount of blood coming from her arm. The woman was taken to a hospital. An arrest warrant obtained Thursday charges Medlock with aggravated assault; bond is $200,000. Authorites believe Medlcok is in the Tyler area. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Hill at 903- 590-2720.

LONGVIEW — Longview police urge you to be on the lookout after a card skimmer was found at the Walmart gas station on Gilmer Road. A victim contacted our news partner KETK, saying her card was compromised and $400 had been charged to her account. Police say to be proactive when using credit cards at gas pumps. You’re urged to avoid pumps at the end of the line at gas stations. They are often too far away for the store clerk to have a clear view of the pump. You should also check for tampering, loose credit card readers, or broken seals. Another suggestion: turn on your cell phone’s Bluetooth and search for a device. If you see a long string of numbers, that could indicate a skimmer in the area.

TYLER — Police say a woman went to the hospital early Tuesday after she was hit by a city of Tyler vehicle around 6:30 that morning. According to our news partner KETK, police say she was struck when the city marshal was driving east on Houston Street and turned onto Beckham. They say she had the right of way in the crosswalk. The woman was wearing all black clothing. Her condition is unknown, and her identity has not been released.

TYLER — Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler follows up on some comments he released Wednesday evening in favor of President Trump’s plan to send troops to the Mexican border. Noting that such actions have been taken before, Gohmert singled out Woodrow Wilson, who did likewise in the early 20th century during the era of revolutionary Pancho Villa. Gohmert also comments that the border needs to be secured — not sealed. He told KTBB, “We need to have people coming in. It’s a good thing to have immigration, but it has got to be lawful — and there’s the distinction.”

PALESTINE – A student has been arrested for a recent threat against Palestine High School. Detectives have arrested Daniel Hayes, 17, and charged him with false alarm or report in a public secondary school, which is a state jail felony. He was taken to the Anderson County Security Center. He is charged with the threat that occurred on Tuesday. Two similar incidents at the school, on March 27 and April 5, remain under investigation. A threatening note found on the campus around 8:30 Thursday morning caused a lockdown. According to the school district, the note is “of a more specific nature than last week’s threat and will be able to be investigated in less time.” Nothing was found and the lockdown was lifted at 10:30.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is heading to prison for attacking an elderly couple in their home last April. Malique Makail Henderson, 21, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison. He is said to have hit an elderly woman in the head with a rock and forced his way into her South Green Street home. He is then said to have hit an elderly man. After stealing some items from the house, he ran away. Neighbors chased him and help police locate him. They found the items taken from the couple’s home.

GILMER – An illegal alien, who has been wanted for four years, is back in jail in Gilmer. Noe Paz-Aguillon, 31, was charged in 2014 with intoxication manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was released to federal authorities for an ICE detainer in February of that year. They put him in house arrest in Dallas, and he fled back to Mexico. He had previously been deported twice from the U.S. He illegally entered the courty again and was arrested in Oklahoma on Wednesday. He is currently in jail awaiting trial on the two felony offenses. No bond has been set.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been found guilty of prostitution and human trafficking charges. During a bench trial, state district judge Judge Kerry Russell found Dekenndrick Lekeith Ross, 41, guilty. He could get up to 20 years in prison when sentenced later this month. Last June, Ross and Crystal Leshae Lilly, 26, also of Tyler, were arrested following a Department of Public Safety investigation of a human trafficking organization in the Tyler area. They were booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of trafficking of a person for benefits from forced labor and promoting prostitution. Lilly’s trial date has not yet been set.

HOUSTON – A former Tyler resident is reported missing in southeast Texas. She is 36 year old Greta Payne. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, she was last seen around 1:00am on March 17th. She is said to have left her apartment in Houston and did not return. She was driving a pearl white 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV with a sun roof and Texas license plate number JTD 1593. The report says she is 7 months pregnant. If you know where she can be located, you are asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-274-9360. Her case number is HC-18-43545.

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.

LIBERTY CITY – Investigators are continuing their probe in Gregg County into a fire that destroyed a church’s 3 buses. The vehicles caught fire around 5:00am on March 26th. The vehicles were in the church’s parking lot. The fire was quickly put out by the Sabine Volunteer Fire Department. At the time, the church’s pastor Paul Michael Vacca said he had no reason to believe it’s a hate crime. Investigators say they know the fire was started by someone, but they have not determined at this time if was accidental or intentional.

AUSTIN – An East Texan is one of among 5 persons Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board. Among those reappointed to the panel is Nacogdoches lawyer Paul Robbins. They were appointed for terms set to expire on February 1, 2020. Robbins, who has his office in Lufkin, serves as a regional attorney for the Texas Municipal Police Association. He is also immediate past president of the East Texas Peace Officers Association. The board reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the center on its function, budget, and strategic planning initiatives.