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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.

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.

WASHINGTON – Two area schools are among the 342 schools around the country named by the Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017. Among the nearly two dozen Texas schools to receive the honor are Tyler’s Grace Community Elementary School and, in Whitehouse, Stanton-Smith Elementary. According to a news release from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, “National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future.” The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The schools will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. November 6th and 7th.

LONGVIEW – With one arrest, Longview police have recovered a car stolen in Mississippi and a dog stolen in Texas. Cam Albert Robbins, 33, of Union, Mississippi, was said to have been unsteady as he walked to his car in a restaurant parking lot late Sunday night. He was arrested for public intoxication. Then it was learned the car had been stolen the day before in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Robbins was then charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The English Bulldog found in the front seat was turned over to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center. A microchip in the dog showed the owner lived in Lone Star. The dog and owner were reunited on Thursday.

DALLAS – A former Henderson County police officer has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $6.3 million to the family of an Iowa man who died in the officer’s custody in 2013. Judge Roy Payne ruled that Ernesto Fierro used excessive force when he arrested William Livezey Jr., 70, while off-duty. The judge said in his final judgment that Livezey suffered a heart attack induced by the arrest. Livezey was transporting lumber from his business in Iowa, to a client in Houston, when the encounter occurred. Fierro claimed Livezey was driving aggressively but witnesses said it was Fierro who was operating his motorcycle erratically. Fierro later was convicted of aggravated assault and fired from the Malakoff police force.

WINONA – The second person killed in a Winona crash and fire has been identified. Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger says the passenger in the car has been identified as 34 year old Subhrajit Paul. He has family in both Bangladesh and India. The driver had previously been identified as 34 year old Dhaval Ajay Bhatt, of Frisco.The preliminary autopsy shows both died from blunt force trauma. Around 4:30am on September 21st, their car slammed into Mike’s Pizza and Pasta, starting a fire that destroyed the business, which had only been open for six days.

AUSTIN – An East Texan has been appointed to the Board Of Pardons and Paroles. Governor Greg Abbott has named Brian Long Of Kilgore to the board. His term will expire on February 1st, 2023. Long is currently a hearing officer for the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles. The Board makes parole decisions for Texas prison inmates, determines conditions for parole and mandatory supervision, and makes recommendations on clemency matters to the governor.

TYLER – In federal Court in Tyler, a Van Zandt man has been sentenced to prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations. Corey Lance Parish, 28, of Ben Wheeler, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced Thursday to ten years in prison. According to federal prosecutors, last December, Parish was pulled over for a traffic violation in Canton. A search of his vehicle produced a pistol, over 77 grams of marijuana and 329 grams of methamphetamine.

TYLER — Smith County just made it easier for job seekers to see what positions are available online. The Smith County Human Resources Department this week launched a new tool — http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/smithcountytx — to showcase to the public which positions are available. The link can be easily found at the top right corner of the county’s website — http://www.smith-county.com — under “careers.” Two new Smith County positions, created in the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget, have opened up to applicants on the new website. They include the Fleet Administrator, who would oversee all of the vehicles for Smith County; and the County Budget Analyst. Check the county website link posted above for more information.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man is back in jail to face intoxication manslaughter charges. According to the Longview News-Journal, Thomas Elliot Henkel, 34, is accused of causing a wreck June 8, 2016, on Loop 281 that killed 16-year-old Lauren Elrod of Harleton. He had been on the lam since failing to appear in court Aug. 11. Henkel was arrested Wednesday, and 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles increased his bond to $250,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again Oct. 6. Continue reading Kilgore Man Back in Jail on Intoxication Manslaughter Charge

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Tyler man has been charged with murder following a Wednesday night shooting. Dennis Odell Metcalf, 40, was found at a home in Chandler and surrendered to deputies without incident. He reportedly admitted to fatally shooting a 24-year-old man from Murchison. Metcalf was booked into jail. Bond has not been set. The unidentified man’s body was sent to Dallas for autopsy. No word on a motive.

LONGVIEW — A Texas man was busted in Longview allegedly moving more than two pounds of heroin on a bus. According to KETK, on August 16, the County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, assisted by a DPS K-9 unit, was checking for drug trafficking on a bus owned by Tornado Bus Lines when the discovery was made. Law enforcement found about 2.5 pounds of heroin in possession of Daniel Miranda, 42, of Carrollton. The suspect was arrested and charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail. Miranda was released two days later on $100,000 bond.

TYLER – Seal coat operations have moved to Farm Road 850 in Smith County. It is being conducted along about an 8½ mile stretch from State Highway 31 to Farm Road 2607. This work is expected to be finished Thursday evening and then move to Farm Road 2767 from Farm Road 757 eastward through the Gregg County line and back to State Highway 31. TxDOT reports that the work is anticipated to be completed Sunday. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during these operations. This is a fast-moving construction project with work scheduled generally between 7:00am and 7:00pm.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches County mother is arrested and her children, who were said to be living in horrible conditions, have been removed from the house. Authorities were called to the Garrison home Wednesday morning after two of the five children swallowed paint. Sheriff Jason Bridges says conditions in the home were were horrendous and unsafe for the children. He said there were there were feces all over the residence, on beds, walls and floors. Sinks were clogged there was no way of bathing the children inside the house. The mother, Meggan Barstow, 28, was arrested for child endangerment. The children, from infant to six, were removed from the home by Child Protective Services.

RUSK – Cherokee County authorities have arrested two person in connection with a stolen pickup and a chase last week. Now in the Cherokee County jail in the case are Zachary Banks, 18, (pictured) and Carlos Dominguez, 17, both of Rusk. The stolen pickup was reported near Rusk. It was spotted several hours later at the Whataburger in Bullard. The chase that followed came through Tyler where police used spike strips on Grande Boulevard. When the truck didn’t stop, they laid down another spike strip. The two suspects bailed out of the vehicle and ran into the woods Near Sam’s Club on the Tyler Loop. They were arrested earlier this week.

ATHENS – A Henderson County man is facing a variety of charges after trying to run away from law officers. Clifton Denean Dora, 58, of Moore Station had been linked Dora to six ranch burglaries from Eustace to Larue. When officers found him in the Sand Flat area, he fled. He was later found and arrested at a Leagueville gas station. He has been charged with burglary. He was also charged with evading arrest. When illegal drug were found on him at the jail, he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance. And, to add to all of that, at the time of his arrest, Dora was violating terms of his parole for previous burglaries.

TYLER – Expect lane closures and delays during night work on the turn lane project at Loop 323 and Old Bullard Road in Tyler starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Crews will be applying the new surface. On Thursday night, the same work will be conducted at Broadway Avenue and Independence in front of Broadway Square Mall. TxDOT’s urging you to avoid these locations if at all possible. Motorists should use caution and look for detours and signage installed to help navigate traffic through the work zone.

TYLER — 17-year-old East Texans Keon Thomas and L’Keveion Stewart have been indicted for reportedly engaging in organized crime in Longview. KETK reports Thomas was arrested on five counts of burglary and an aggravated robbery. Stewart was arrested for the burglaries of two buildings. He says he was promised jewelry in return for carrying out the crimes.

WINONA – One victim has been identified in last week’s double-fatal crash and fire in Winona. According to Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger, Frisco resident Dhaval Ajay Bhatt, 34, was killed; he was driving the car that crashed. KETK reports the passenger’s identification is being withheld pending positive dental identification. The two died when the car slammed into Mike’s Pizza and Pasta around 4:30 last Thursday morning. The following fire destroyed the business, which had only been open six days. The restaurant owners and their son, who had been living upstairs, were able to escape. A preliminary autopsy report shows the two died from blunt force trauma.

TYLER – Two firms have been retained to prepare a comprehensive storm master plan for Tyler. The plan will help identify flooding issues within the city, to address some of the prominent drainage issues and limit future losses. Halff Associates has been retained because they specializes in storm water master planning. The C.T. Brannon Corporation was chosen because they have extensive knowledge of the city’s storm water infrastructure. The project will be funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax Fund and the contract amount will not exceed $500,000.

TYLER – Tyler has a new Managing Director of Public Works and Utilities. At Wednesday’s meeting, the city council approved the city manager’s appointment of Scott Taylor to the post. The position has been vacant since previous Managing Director, Gregory Morgan, retired in April Taylor will oversee Tyler Water Utilities (water and wastewater), the Street Department, Engineering Department and Capital Improvement Projects. He comes to Tyler from Conroe where he has been the Director of Public Works since October 2013. His first day on the job in Tyler is October 23rd.

EAST TEXAS — Two men are sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking. 40-year-old Quentin Brown of Gilmer and 23-year-old Saihaine Freeman of Longview (pictured) pleaded guilty May 30th to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Brown was sentenced to 144 months, Freeman was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. The two were sentenced Tuesday.

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas oil worker has been abducted in Yemen. According to KETK, it reportedly happened in a busy street, in the middle of the day. Danny Burch, 62, moved to Yemen about 15 years ago. He was working in the oil field as a mechanic. Friends of Burch said he grew up in White Oak and lived in Kilgore for years. Danny’s family isn’t sure why he was abducted. But with a military background, his brother Ron believes Danny is being held to barter for another prisoner of war.

KILGORE — A 62-year-old Kilgore man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after officials said he inappropriately touched a 6-year-old child multiple times, according to the Longview News-Journal. Roy Lynn Avance was charged with two counts of indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced this past week in the 124th District Court by Judge Alfonso Charles, court records show. In addition to his prison sentence, Charles ordered Avance to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

VAN – State Representative Dan Flynn has announced his bid to seek re-election to House District Two, which 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.

NECHES – Farm Road 2574 in Anderson County will be closed at the railroad bridge from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Wednesday for repairs. Traffic will be detoured during this work. The roadway will be closed at the east end at U.S. Highway 79 as well as at the Farm Road 19 intersection. Alternate routes are encouraged to avoid delays. A news release from TxDOT says motorists should use caution and look for detours and signs to help navigate traffic through the area during the closure.

TYLER – The director of distance education at Tyler Junior College, Ken Craver, has been appointed to the Learning Technology Advisory Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The committee serves as a forum for problem-solving and generating ideas to improve online education that reflect the goals of Texas’ higher education plan, 60x30TX. Craver came to TJC in 1989 as a computer science professor. He was named director of distance education in 2005.

HENDERSON – A Henderson man has been convicted on animal cruelty charges. Last October, Larry Antone Cadwell, 51, reported two of his horses missing. When authorities went to his property off Farm Road 1251, they found nearly two dozen emaciated horses. KETK reports authorities believe all the horses had parasites because of bad pond water, their only drinking source. Also, there was no grass to feed on in the area, and the animals were forced to eat leaves from trees. He could get up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A suspect in a credit card scam is being sought by Tyler police. The man opened a fraudulent Target Credit Card account and immediately used it to buy two iPads. If you know who he is please contact Tyler Police Detective Wayne Allen at 903-535-0121.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Whitehouse during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. City Manager Aaron Smith discussed activities in the city with a population of 8,300. Smith said they could reach the 10,000 mark by the next U.S. Census. The city has a paid, full-time fire department; traffic counts are up; 346 permits for new construction were filed last year and there are six new additions or apartments under construction. Smith reported that new batting cages and a play area are being planned for the city’s sports complex and a new operator has taken over the former YMCA facility to provide similar services with a savings to taxpayers. Continue reading Whitehouse Highlighted Before County Commissioners