LEAGUEVILLE – Henderson County authorities have released a sketch of a man accused of assaulting a deputy sheriff. It occurred last Thursday night when the deputy stopped to check on a suspicious man walking on Farm Road 607 south of Leagueville. The suspect reportedly hit the deputy in the face with a pistol and ran. The deputy was treated and released from the hospital. The suspect is described as a white man wearing dark clothing and should be considered armed and dangerous. Henderson County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information to the suspects arrest.
Tyler Art Professor Selected as Texas Biennial Exhibitor
TYLER – Tyler Junior College art professor Philana Oliphant Pace has been chosen as an exhibitor for the sixth edition of the Texas Biennial. This is a geographically focused exhibition of contemporary art. Oliphant is one of 33 artists selected from among 1,217 applicants from a statewide open call. The Texas Biennial, which runs through November 11in Austin, celebrates the many cultures and identities that influence and impact our daily. There are 78 Texas Biennial Participating Organizations throughout Texas, including TJC, who will have scheduled events throughout 2018.
Smith County Road to Be Closed
TYLER – County Road 1261, also known as Big Eddy Road, is scheduled to be closed to through traffic beginning Wednesday. The action is needed to replace a concrete culvert pipe that crosses the road. The work is expected to take 6 to 8 hours. It’s part of the project to widen and overlay Big Eddy Road, from Farm-to-Market Road 2661 to Texas Highway 155, west of Noonday. Work on the roadway improvements will begin this month. If the work scheduled for Wednesday is delayed due to weather, a revised closure date will be issued.
Tyler Soldier Killed by IED in Iraq
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) – U.S. Army officials say a soldier from Texas serving with the 10th Mountain Division’s Louisiana-based brigade combat team has been killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. Officials at Fort Drum in northern New York say Spc. Alexander Missildine, 20, Tyler, was killed Sunday when an IED detonated near his convoy. Missildine served with the division’s 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The division’s other two brigade combat teams are based at Fort Drum. Continue reading Tyler Soldier Killed by IED in Iraq
Fatal Kilgore Accident
KILGORE – One person has been killed and one injured in a one vehicle accident in Kilgore. Dead on arrival at a Tyler hospital was Catherine Michelle McCarty, 19, of Kilgore. Injured was the car’s driver, Zachary Paul Vick, 20, of Kilgore. The accident happened just before 4:00 Sunday morning on Farm Road 349. The vehicle is said to have left the road and rolled and hit a concrete culvert. The vehicle then flipped and rolled again. Evidence gathered at the scene indicated alcohol may have been involved in the crash. The wreck remains under investigation.
Funeral Services Scheduled for Tyler Couple Killed in Arkansas
TYLER – Funeral services have been set for a Tyler Fire Department captain and his wife who died after an Arkansas accident. According to Stewart Family Funeral Home, funeral services for Marty and Jean Lawrence will be Thursday morning at 11:00 in the worship center of Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Flint Cemetery. The preliminary crash report says the two were heading east on Interstate 30 around 12:15 Saturday morning in Clark County when an 18-wheeler also heading east, swerved and hit their car. Both vehicles left the road and came to rest in the tree line. The driver of the 18-wheeler, Raad E. Hamdeh Abu of Illinois, was injured.
Excessive Speed Involved in Fatal Longview Wreck
LONGVIEW – A Longview man was driving over 100 miles an hour just before a Longview accident that killed two persons and injured two on September 21st. The wreck killed Rylee Malone and Meshebia Renee Johnson, both 17 and both from Longview. The two drivers, Palmer Malone, 19, of Longview and Christa Tamara Wilson 32, of Harleton, were injured. Wilson remains hospitalized. The Longview News Journal, quoting a search warrant, says data from the airbag control module in Malone’s car showed he was going 109 mph two seconds before the air bags were deployed. Continue reading Excessive Speed Involved in Fatal Longview Wreck
Some Tyler Lane Closures
TYLER – The Tyler Street Department has announced some lane closures.
Lane closures have been announced at Rieck Road and New Copeland Road. it will be on the northwest corner of New Copeland and Rieck Road intersection. It will be Tuesday through Friday, or until work is complete, from 8:00am till 3:00pm each day. It is because of excavation of a major drainage channel. The lane closures will allow safe staging of large equipment needed to complete the work. Continue reading Some Tyler Lane Closures
The Probe of Atwood’s Burglary Continues
TYLER – Tyler police continue their investigation of the Sunday morning burglary at Atwood’s on WNW Loop 323. The suspects, driving the pickup pictured here, stole five rifles, ammunition and a variety of other items. The store manager discovered when he arrived at work that the front glass doors had been broken out. Five suspects were observed in the store video. If you know who drives this pickup, or can supply other information about the burglary, you are asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime stoppers at 903-597-2833.
Area National Night Out Activities
EAST TEXAS – Tuesday night, police departments in East Texas are taking part in National Night Out activities, which helps promote police-community partnerships. It is celebrated in Texas the first Tuesday night in October, when its cooler. The rest of the country does it in August. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events. Some include safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much more. Among the area cities where activities are planned are Longview, Marshall, Kilgore, Gladewater, White Oak, Palestine and Gregg County. Tyler’s annual Texans Against Crime block parties will be held on Tuesday, October 10th.
One Nailed in Longview Drug Bust
LONGVIEW – A Longview man is facing drug charges after a large quantity of narcotics was found in a South Green Street home. Carteris Loyd-Robbinson, 24, was arrested after a warrant was served at the south Longview home. The warrant was served by the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit with assistance of the Longview SWAT team and the Special Investigation and Apprehension Unit. Along with the drugs, officers also seized two handguns during the search. Besides the drug charges, Robbinson is also charged with evading arrest or detention. He is in the Gregg County Jail with bonds totaling $112,500.
Burglary Suspects Arrested in Tyler
TYLER – Two burglary suspects have been arrested by Tyler police. The officers responded to an alarm at Honda of Tyler on the Chandler Highway, Sunday morning at 4:00. They saw two persons running into the woods at the rear of the business. They left behind three motorcycles that they were in the process of stealing. Two teens were later found hiding in a car on the Old Chandler Highway. Arrested were James Earl Warren, 18, of Tyler and a 15 year old Tyler juvenile. They believe one more person may have been involved in the burglary.
TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the week of Oct. 2. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. District seal coat operations move to Henderson County on Monday morning, where work will be conducted on FM 3079 from FM 324 eastward to FM 315. On Tuesday, work moves to Business 31 in Athens from East Loop 7 to Business 19 at The Square. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during this work, which wraps up Thursday, completing summer seal coat operations. Go to http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/049-2017.html for a more detailed look at roadwork in the Tyler District.
Tyler Fire Captain, Wife Die in Arkansas Crash
TYLER — A Tyler Fire Department captain and his wife have died after an Arkansas accident. According to KETK, fire department spokesman Paul Findley names the victims as Marty and Jean Lawrence. The preliminary crash report says the two were heading east on Interstate 30 around 12:15 Saturday morning in Clark County when an 18-wheeler also heading east, swerved and hit their car. Both vehicles left the road and came to rest in the tree line. The driver of the 18-wheeler, Raad E. Hamdeh Abu of Illinois, was injured. According to Stewart Family Funeral Home, funeral services for the couple will be Thursday morning at 11:00 in the worship center of Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Flint Cemetery.
Bulky Item Collections in Tyler
TYLER – Tyler’s bulky item collection week starts on Monday. The pickup of those large items is sponsored twice a year by Tyler’s Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful. It’s a great time for residential customers to get rid of those large items that would normally require a special fee to pick up. All you have to do is place the items on the curb Monday and a city crew will pick it up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office. But you need to note that items may be collected on a different day from your usual scheduled garbage collection. Items that will be picked up, at no charge, include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four non-commercial vehicle tires, old toys and other such large items. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Continue reading Bulky Item Collections in Tyler
Warhol Exhibition at Tyler Museum of Art
TYLER — One of the most highly anticipated exhibitions in recent years comes to the Tyler Museum of Art with “Andy Warhol: Screen Prints & Snapshots,” according to information from the museum. It’s open to the public now through January 7. The exhibition features close to 40 works by the late Pop Art icon, including a series of Warhol’s signature silkscreen prints and a collection of his celebrity-centric Polaroid photographs. General exhibition admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors. Admission is free for TMA members, students, children under 12, Tyler Junior College faculty/staff, and City of Tyler employees. For information, visit http://www.tylermuseum.org or call 903-595-1001.
In Focus: 10/1/17 – Christina Fulsom, East Texas Human Needs Network
Arrests Made in Shooting Case
TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says three suspects have been arrested in a September 17 shooting near the Eagle Creek Mobile Home Park off State Highway 271 North. Deputies responding to a 911 call found the victim in a wooded area. It was determined he had suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound during an alleged robbery. The suspects were identified the following day. Tarrance Reggie, 19, was arrested September 19. Joel Camacho, 23, was captured September 28; Carlos Ochoa, 17, was brought in September 29. All three were jailed on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Tyler Police Investigate Atwood’s Burglary; Eight Rifles Taken
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a burglary in which eight rifles were stolen from Atwood’s on WNW Loop 323, near the Highway 69 intersection. Police got the call around 4:50 Saturday morning. The store manager discovered when he arrived at work that the front glass doors had been broken out. Five suspects were observed in the store video of the incident. They stole the rifles from the gun case and tried to gain entry into another gun case. They also stole ammunition and other assorted items. If you have any information related to this crime, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime stoppers at 903-597-2833.
Lindale ISD Uses App to Curb Bullying
LINDALE — Lindale ISD has announced the implementation of “David’s Law” and an app to help curb bullying in the district. KETK reports the school district has put into place STOPit, a program used to anonymously report inappropriate behavior and bullying, among other offenses. Parents have been given a code to log in to STOPit. Once a student sends in a concern, LISD officials say a school administrator will be able to quickly respond and talk about the issue. “David’s Law†makes it a Class A misdemeanor to harass a student 18 or younger through electronic means. The suicide of 16-year-old San Antonio high school student David Molak spurred Texas senators to write the legislation.
Recognition for a U-T Tyler Professor
TYLER – The Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration has named U.T. Tyler professor Dr. Jennifer Jones as ‘Advocate of the Year.’ At school since 2015, Dr. Jones is an assistant professor within the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. With 20 years of educational experience in both urban and rural districts, Jones served as a past public school educator, school superintendent, principal, counselor and special education teacher. She will be recognized in a ceremony in Dallas next month.
Tyler Burglary Suspect Arrested in Henderson County
TYLER – A man wanted by Tyler police for numerous burglaries has been arrested in Henderson County. Tyler detectives had obtained 5 arrest warrants for Timothy David Himes Jr., 41, of Larue. The U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department found him Thursday at a residence in Larue. As they tried to arrest him, Himes is said to have resisted arrest and escaped from custody, but was captured and booked in to the Henderson County Jail. He is facing numerous charges, including escape from arrest, resisting arrest, evading arrest and burglary of a habitation. His bonds total $577,000. And There are numerous other warrants pending from other law enforcement agencies.
Palestine Football Player Injured, Teammate Charged
PALESTINE – A Palestine High School football player has been arrested for assaulting a teammate. Arrested Thursday evening was Le’George Marquez Gray, 17, a high school junior. He has been booked into the Anderson County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. He is said to have assaulted senior Michael Stanczyk, 18, after practice Wednesday. He is in stable condition in a Dallas hospital following surgery for facial injuries.
Henderson County Manhunt Underway
HENDERSON COUNTY – Numerous law enforcement agencies are searching for the armed suspect accused of assaulting a deputy. It started Thursday night when a Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped to check on a suspicious man walking on FM 607 south of Leaugeville. The suspect reportedly struck the deputy in the face with a pistol and ran. The deputy was treated and released from the hospital. The suspect is described as a white man wearing dark clothing and should be considered armed and dangerous. Henderson County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information to the suspects arrest.
Marshall Confirms New Police Chief
MARSHALL – The Marshall City Commission voted to confirm City Manager Lisa Agnor’s appointment of Cliff Carruth as Marshall’s new police chief at the Thursday commission meeting. He replaces Ron Davis, who was hired in May as Interim Police Chief. He will begin his new role at the end of October. Curruth has a total of 26 years of experience in law enforcement, six of those years were as a police officer with the Longview Police Department. He will be retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he most recently was the Senior Supervisory Resident Agent at the Little Rock Division of the FBI.
Businesses in a Longview Strip Mall Burglarized
LONGVIEW – Longview police are trying to determine who broke into 8 businesses in a shopping center at Loop 281 and Bill Owens Parkway. They broke out walls and windows in the businesses in the early Thursday morning burglary. In one business, money was taken from a safe. It could have taken the burglars several hours to rummage through the stores at the Oak Forest Center.
Longview Names Keith Bonds as Acting City Manager
LONGVIEW – The Longview City Council has named Keith Bonds as Acting City Manager. The action becomes effective following the retirement of City Manager David Willard at the end of the year. Mayor Andy Mack said Bonds will serve as Acting City Manager for a period of six months. After that time he will be evaluated to see if the word “acting†will be removed from his title. Bonds has served as Assistant City Manager since 2014. He has worked for the city since 1999. Bonds is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer with a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. Prior to becoming Assistant City Manager, he served in a variety of roles including Director of Public Works, Director of Water Utilities, and Utility Engineer.
Tyler ISD to Offer After School Care
TYLER – The Tyler school district is coming to the aid of families impacted by the closing of the YMCA. They are offering after school care. It was announced Thursday Tyler ISD will offer affected families after school enrichment opportunities. The plans were developed and tailored to meet the current enrollment and participation needs of each affected campus. Jones and Peete elementary schools will have a temporary after school enrichment program for kindergarten through 5th grade students available every day until 6:00pm. This will be offered through November 16th. After school care at Andy Woods Elementary School will continue through the remainder of the school year. Continue reading Tyler ISD to Offer After School Care
East Texas Teacher Sent to Prison for Sex With Students
LUFKIN (AP) – A 39-year-old East Texas kindergarten teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault with a child and improper relationship with a student for having sex with high school students. A judge in Angelina County also has ordered Heather Robertson, of Lufkin, to surrender her teaching certification and register for life as a sex offender. Robertson was a teacher in the Hudson school district, just outside Lufkin, for 13 years. Prosecutors said an investigation showed she had sex at her Lufkin apartment with at least six Hudson students between last November and February this year. She resigned as a Hudson teacher April 20 and was arrested the next day. She could have received up to 20 years on each count.
Tyler Represented at the State Fair
DALLAS – The State Fair of Texas opens a 24 day run on Friday, and volunteers from Tyler will be there to welcome the crowds. Volunteers from Visit Tyler will be there from 10:00am till 6:00pm, highlighting Tyler’s many events and attractions. They will help staff the Texas Heritage Travel booth in the historic GoTexan Pavilion, next to the State Fair Wine Garden and close to the Cotton Bowl. Tyler’s community banner and promotional literature will also be on hand.