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TYLER — A man and woman from Tyler have been arrested for reportedly promoting prostitution. According KETK, on Thursday, DPS Troopers arrested Crystal Leshae Lilly, 25, and Dekenndrick LeKeith Ross, 40. They were booked into the Smith County Jail on charges including: trafficking of a person for benefits from forced labor and promoting prostitution. Bond was set at $350,000 each.

ATHENS — A Henderson County Grand Jury has indicted an East Texas for his role in a fatal crash. Joseph Daniel King, 35, was indicted on one count of criminally negligent homicide and possession of a controlled substance. According to KETK, Charles Gifford, 75, of Brownsboro, was killed after his pickup was rear ended on Highway 31, one mile east of Murchison. The DPS report said King’s truck hit the back of Gifford’s vehicle, forcing him off the road and into a tree. He was taken to an Athens hospital where he was pronounced dead. King was treated and released. He remains behind bars on bonds totaling $110,500.

GILMER – An Upshur County jury has sentenced a Dallas man to a lengthy prison sentence for bail jumping and failure to appear in court. Jud Waymond Smith, 68, was found guilty shortly before 1:00 Thursday afternoon. About 3 hours later the jury sentenced him to 75 years in prison. Upshur County DA Billy Bird said Smith had 7 prior felony convictions ranging from aggravated assault with a deadly weapon to retaliation against a peace officer. Bird said his crimes, including assaulting women, go back to the early 80s.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is hand delivering letters to up to 20 residents in the immediate area of Tyler Welder Supply. They are being told that Shaw Environmental will send crews to clean up debris around the neighborhood. Residents are asked to no to touch or removing any debris until it can be cleaned up. The crews will also be cleaning debris from the business site. The cleanup will begin on Friday and is expected to be completed by Sunday evening.

MARSHALL – The East Texas Baptist University School of Nursing is relocating to the historic Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall. The building is the newly-renovated circa 1929 former Hotel Marshall located on the Harrison County Courthouse Square in downtown Marshall. School officials say that moving the school to downtown Marshall will give students and faculty enhanced and expanded space, giving them room to grow. The School of Nursing at ETBU and been in operation since 1992. Continue reading ETBU School of Nursing is Moving

KILGORE – Kilgore College trustees will be considering closing three programs when they meet on Monday. A trustee’s committee has recommended closing the surgical technology, drafting and design and commercial photography programs. The three programs offer an associate of applied science degree and certificate of completion. According to a news release from the school, should trustees decide to close the program, selected drafting courses would still be offered as part of its manufacturing programs. The college also said it will still offer academic transfer photography courses in support of the transfer curriculum for journalism. Continue reading Some Programs at Kilgore College Could Close

TYLER – Keep America Beautiful has announced that Keep Tyler Beautiful is the recipient of a 2017 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Grant. The $5,000 will be used to combat cigarette litter in Tyler. Keep Tyler Beautiful will use funds to improve to install 26 cigarette waste receptacles throughout the city. They will focus heavily on the Downtown area and areas where foot traffic is predominant. Research by Keep America Beautiful has shown that for each cigarette waste receptacle installed, cigarette litter is reduced by 9%. Keep Tyler Beautiful is one of 37 organizations to receive grant funding for 2017. Communities that implemented the this program in 2016 saw an average of 60% in cigarette litter. This is an 8% increase in comparison to 2015 results.

TYLER – The Tyler Public Library has been awarded a $6,000 grant through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. With the grant, funded through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, The Tyler library now becomes a Family Place Library (FPL) site. A FPL is established through a network of children’s librarians nationwide who believe that literacy begins at birth and that libraries can help build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families. Now, children three and younger and their caregivers will have designated activities and programs at the Tyler Public Library specifically designed to lay a strong foundation for literacy. Continue reading Tyler Public Library Is a Family Place Library

LONGVIEW – The Longview police department is alerting residents about work at home and online jobs scams. The way it works, the victim submits an application by email for the job. Then they receive a fraudulent check for payment of their duties. They are told to deposit the check in their account, then remove the funds and wire the money to another account. That money ends up in the hands of the overseas scammer. Most of these jobs are linked to Nigerian scammers. The bank then tells the victim the check is fraudulent and they are responsible for the money. You can get more information on this scam from the FBI and Federal Trade Commission websites.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been indicted for intoxication manslaughter in connection with a fatal Tyler wreck. The Smith County grand jury indicted 24 year old Terry Lee Jr. last week. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals in May in connection with the death of 58 year old Harold Wayne Coleman of Tyler in February. Lee’s car crashed on Gentry Parkway at Shawnee Boulevard. Lee’s toxicology test shows his alcohol blood content level was at .092 following the wreck. The legal limit is .08. He remains in the Smith County Jail under a $500,000 Bond. The accident occurred on February 9th. Lee’s car veered across the southeast bound lanes, left the roadway and struck a guide wire for a telephone pole. The vehicle rolled and struck a building. Four others in the car were injured.

TYLER – A north Texas woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to drug conspiracy charges. Nimrose Khan, 35, of Carrollton entered her guilty plea Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. A combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, executed federal arrest and search warrants in Plano, Carrollton, Dallas and Tyler. The warrants stemmed from a joint investigation in which the Smith County Sheriff’s office took part. Federal prosecutors say Khan and her co-defendants, conspired to distribute synthetic drugs at two businesses. One of those was the Minute Stop/Valero Gas Station on Highway 64 West in Tyler. Continue reading A Guilty Plea in a Federal Drug Case

TYLER — A Tyler man has been arrested for aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. According to Tyler police, Freddi Betancourt, 25, met a woman he had a previous relationship with at Noble Young Park around 8:30 Wednesday night. Police said Betancourt forced the woman into his car where he sexually assaulted her before driving off with the victim still in the vehicle. A witness at the park called police and reported the situation. Police received another call from a second witness who stated they saw a car matching the suspected vehicle’s description on Frankston Highway. A woman was reportedly trying to get out. Betancourt was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail. His bond has been set at $100,000.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s emergency sirens are now all working again. All 20 of the city’s emergency warning sirens sounded and rotated during Wednesday’s test of the system. However, a timing issue was identified which will be addressed as soon as possible. During the test, the sirens sounded for five minutes as scheduled, but only rotated for three minutes. It is believed that this was due to a setting within the electronic equipment. These settings will be examined and adjustments will be made as soon as possible. A follow-up test will occur next Wednesday, June 21 at noon, weather permitting, to confirm that the settings have been adjusted correctly. Continue reading Another Test for Longview’s Emergency Sirens

MARSHALL – A man responsible for numerous burglaries is in custody. On Tuesday, officers saw a man looking through business windows. When they tried to check on him, he ran. After a brief chase, officers caught Lavonta Moore, 18, of Marshall. It was discovered he was wanted for theft. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail. While talking with detectives, Moore admitted to burglarizing Blissmoor Valley Ranch, The General Store and Barbie’s Formal Wear, all last Saturday. He is now charged with three counts of burglary of a building, one count of criminal mischief, evading arrest, assault on a public servant and a theft charge from that separate case.

LONGVIEW – Today is the 12th annual National Dump the Pump Day. And Longview residents will benefit from it. Longview Transit is joining with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the activity. Longview transit is offering free rides on Thursday. The slogan of this year’s activity is “Dump the Pump, Ride Public Transit.” Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a convenient travel option that also helps people save money. According to the April American Public Transportation Association Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $9,312 annually by downsizing to one car. Continue reading Dump the Pump Day in Longview

TYLER – A Jacksonville man is going to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Abdul Kriem Lugman, 41, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute about 24 grams of cocaine. He was sentenced Wednesday to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. In December 2015, officers responded to a report of drug dealing at the Home Place Inn. They could see Lugman in a chair with a small white rock-like substance in his hand near a digital scale. A search of the room turned up crack cocaine, cash, digital scales, a police scanner, firearms and other drugs and drug paraphernalia.

MARSHALL — Next Step Community Solutions has three coalitions working across thirteen East Texas counties to combat underage drinking and drug use. Program specialist Staci Clark says, “Adults don’t think that prescription meds are as dangerous because they’re written by doctors, but we know that in this region, we have one of the highest…as far as insurance claims for opioid prescriptions as anywhere else in the state.” Clark says teens are increasingly abusing un-used prescriptions they find at home. Recently, the organization received a grant from the state that will fund a secure prescription drug dropoff location so left over, un-used prescriptions can be properly destroyed.

TYLER – The rescheduled test of Tyler’s Outdoor Warning System and Tyler Emergency Alert System will be on Thursday. At 11:00am, the City of Tyler will activate the Outdoor Warning System along with the Tyler Emergency Alert System (Sudden-link Communications). If you should have any questions concerning the operation of the Outdoor Warning System or the Tyler Emergency Alert System, please contact Amanda Cook, Tyler Police Department at 531-1030.

TYLER – A Tyler hospital has been included in Becker’s Hospital Review’s recently published the 2017 edition of “100 Great Community Hospitals.” It is a list based on hospitals’ accolades, quality of care and services provided to their patient populations. For the 5th year in a row CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler has earned this honor. The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on analysis of several ranking and award agencies. This includes U.S. News and World Report’s 2016-17 Honor Roll and specialty rankings, CMS star ratings, Leapfrog grades, Truven Health Analytics top hospitals, Most Wired hospitals and Magne accreditation. The hospitals included on this list are recognized for quality, patient satisfaction and overall excellence. Continue reading Tyler Hospital On the List of Great Community Hospitals

JACKSONVILLE – A man accused of attempted sexual assault and impersonating a public servant is in custody in Cherokee County. Arrested was Emmitt Harrell Christian, 22. He is said to have impersonated a police officer and hand cuffed a woman and groped and kissed her. When another car came to the park where the couple were, Christian is said to have released the woman and left.The woman then alerted authorities. With a description of the suspect, Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies found Christian and his pickup at Love’s Lookout. Continue reading Attempted Sexual Assault by Man Claiming to be a Peace Officer

ARP – A man wanted by numerous agencies have been arrested in a traffic stop in Arp. Tom Rece McPherson, 47 of Arp, was stopped by Arp police on Tuesday. According to the department’s Facebook page, McPherson was wanted by multiple Agencies on 7 felony warrants for forgery of a financial instrument. During the stop, officers found narcotics on him. They also seized several items from his motor vehicle that are used to commit forgery. Besides the outstanding warrants, McPherson has also been charged with possession of a controlled substance. He remains in the Smith County jail. Continue reading Man Wanted by Five Agencies Arrested in Arp

TYLER – The Tyler Public Library’s Paranormal Adult Summer Reading Program is underway. A special activity in conjunction with the program will be held Wednesday afternoon at 5:00. This activity will give you a chance to meet Panola County wildlife expert and cryptozoologist Jeff Stewart. He’s also known as The Cryptohulk. He will be sharing information on finding Bigfoot and other outdoor creatures. If you enjoy stories about things that go bump in the night, this session is right up your alley. And we may find out if evidence of bigfoot has been found in East Texas.

LUFKIN – A man has died at a Tyler hospital following a hit and run accident. Manuel Escobedo, 80, of Lufkin, was walking home Monday night when hit by a car on Martin Luther King Drive. He was taken to CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin and then flown to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. Police say the car was driven by Shanna Ellison, 20, of Lufkin. Charges against Ellison are pending and the accident remains under investigation. Continue reading Fatal Lufkin Hit and Run Probed

JACKSONVILLE – One of two persons who hopped aboard a train in San Marcos, has been killed in Cherokee County. A Hispanic male was killed when he either jumped or fell from a Union Pacific freight train. The man’s body was found Tuesday morning on the railroad tracks just under a mile west of Jacksonville. A woman suffered a broken leg when she jumped from the train in the Troup area. The train, which had originated in Laredo, was carrying autos to Chicago. The Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation of the death.

TYLER – A Fishers, Indiana man has drawn prison time after pleading guilty to committing perjury. David Hernon, 56, formerly of Richardson, pleaded guilty in December 2015, to making false declarations before the court. He was sentenced Tuesday to 15 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. Prosecutors say Hernon and his business partner had filed a suit against a Korean company. They alleged breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition. During the 2014 trial of the case, the two men lied under oath and offered false exhibits to support their claim for damages. Continue reading Indiana Man Sentenced in Tyler Federal Court

CRYSTAL BEACH (AP) – Coast Guard officials say a body has been found near Crystal Beach on Galveston’s Bolivar Peninsula that matches the description of a Palestine woman. She went missing after trying to help her 4-year-old child struggling in the rough Gulf of Mexico surf. The Galveston County Sheriff’s office says witnesses told them Brandy Mosley, 33, went into the water Monday afternoon with a relative after a wave swept away her son. He had been playing in the sand at the edge of the water. The child, who was wearing water wings, and the relative made it back to shore but Mosley didn’t. Residents say visitors often are unaware of dangerous riptides along the beach.