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WHITEHOUSE – After over six months of construction, the new bridge constructed on County Road 2138 (Black Jack Road) is complete and the road is once again open. According to Smith County Engineer Frank Davis, the bridge, south of Whitehouse, was designated as a load zoned bridge and was narrow, restricting the use by heavy vehicles. The bridge was replaced by the Texas Department of Transportation through the Highway Bridge Program. The program is funded through the federal government to replace bridges that are restricted or substandard.

PALESTINE – A Leon County man is facing a variety of charges after a high speed ambulance chase. Armando Vinaja, 18, was brought to Palestine Regional Medical Center Saturday after a state trooper found in lying in a Leon County ditch. Authorities say he left the hospital and stole a hospital ambulance. He led authorities on a chase that neared speeds of 100 miles an hour. He was arrested after he jumped from the ambulance after it hit a cub and the motor died. Vinaja is charged with DWI, reckless driving, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest. His bonds total $115,000.

LONGVIEW – Nine new Longview police officers are hitting the streets. Municipal Court Judge Larry Merriman administered the oath Monday. Then, the new officer badges were pinned on by their family and friends. Over the next 18 weeks, the new officers will be training with veteran officers. When that training is complete, they will complete the department’s 172 officer staff. The department will be at full force for the first time in several years. Just a couple of years ago, there were 18 vacant positions on the police force.

TYLER — Tyler Police were called out to Kensington Place Apartments on Paluxy Drive in reference to several reports of shots fired Monday night. Witness said a dark SUV might have been involved. One individual was outside when the shooting took place and pointed officers in the direction of four vehicles that had been shot. Officers were able locate at least two dozen expended cartridges, from two different types of weapons. Several buildings were also struck. No injuries reported. The case is under investigation. It’s unknown if the person outside was the target or the vehicles. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police immediately by calling 911 or 903-531-1000. You may also contact Smith County Tyler Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

LONGVIEW – The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Longview Regional Medical Center has been recognized with a national award for clinical excellence. The center at LRMC achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months. This includes patient satisfaction higher than 92%, and a wound healing rate of at least 91% in less than 31 median days. Out of 630 Centers eligible for the Center of Distinction award, 334 achieved this honor in 2017. Continue reading Longview Hospital Gets National Recognition

TYLER – Texas Spine & Joint Hospital announced it is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2017 Patient Safety Excellence Award. This designation recognizes superior performance in hospitals that have prevented the occurrence of serious, potentially avoidable complications for patients during hospital stays. The award places Texas Spine & Joint Hospital among the top 10% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data. Continue reading Patient Safety Excellence Award for Texas Spine & Joint Hospital

LONGVIEW – A state district court judge is stepping down when his term ends. At the end of 2018, 188th District Court Judge David Brabham is retiring after 21 years on the bench. Braham told KETK, “I’m ready to move on, but I do love the work. What I’ll miss the most is the people. The relationships you make coming to work every day is what I’ll miss most.” He is only the third judge in the history of the 188th District Court.

AUSTIN — There’s strong bipartisan support to fix the state’s crumbling mental health infrastructure, with some key backing coming from Tyler. The Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed legislation to begin that process. The state estimates that it will take at least a billion dollars in repairs to save the infrastructure. State Senator Charles Schwertner’s bill would set up the State Hospital Fund. Many of the hospitals in question were built as far back as the 1880s. Former State Health Services Commissioner Dr. David Lakey (pictured) endorsed the bill. Lakey is now senior vice president for population health at UT Health Northeast and associate vice chancellor for the UT System.

GUN BARREL CITY – Gun Barrel City authorities are looking for a man they consider to be armed and dangerous. He is Timothy Berry, 41. According to their Facebook page, Berry is said to have held his estranged wife, a homeowner and the homeowner’s son hostage for around 1 1/2 hours Monday morning. They were able to distract him and escape. When Berry couldn’t start one of the victim’s vehicles, he fled on foot. Berry is known to frequent the Tool, Seven Points and Scurry areas. He is wanted in connection to a robbery in the Willowwood area Berry is armed and considered extremely dangerous.

TYLER – Because of a donation from Smith County, Mustard Seed Ministries has been able to give computers to local school children. Dr. Karen Jones, founder and president of Mustard Seed Ministries, along with three technicians, picked up surplus technology equipment Monday that had been collected by the Smith County Information Technology Department. Smith County Commissioners voted last week to donate the surplus computer equipment to the local ministry. Mustard Seed supplies schools in Tyler, Whitehouse and Mineola. Continue reading Smith County Donates Surplus Computers

ATHENS – Things are picking up for some inmates at the Henderson County jail. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse has started using supervised jail inmates to pick up trash on rural roads. The “Trustee Trash-Off” started in Precinct 4 Saturday in the Moore Station area. The Sheriff said the trustees in the program have been personally selected by him because of the nature of the non-violent crimes they committed and their good behavior while serving time in jail. Continue reading Henderson County Jail Inmates Cleaning Up the County

COFFEE CITY – A toddler has died in a Tyler hospital after being pulled from Lake Palestine. The drowning occurred around 3:00 Saturday afternoon in the lake off Brierwood Drive in the Coffee City area. Henderson County authorities say a babysitter was watching several children and went for a walk when a child ran away from her. While the babysitter chased after that child, a nearly 21 month old youngster wandered into the lake. He was taken to a nearby residence and CPR was administered, and then taken to a Tyler hospital. The youngster’s name has not been released. Child Protective Services is assisting the sheriff’s department in the investigation.

LONGVIEW – East Texas Baptist University junior elementary education major Taylor Rowlands of Houston was crowned Miss ETBU 2017 over the weekend. Rowlands competed against 6 other contestants in the 61st Miss ETBU Scholarship Pageant in Baker Chapel of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center on April 1. Junior speech communication major Harleigh Parrish of Huntington was selected first runner up. Selected second runner up was junior elementary education major Mallory Kauffman of Sugar Land. Kauffman was also named Miss Congeniality.

LAS VEGAS (AP/STAFF) — Miranda Lambert has extended her streak at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Lambert, who was born in Longview and raised in Lindale, has won female vocalist of the year for the eighth straight year. She broke the record that was previously held by Reba Mcntire. Lambert said in her acceptance speech, Carrie Underwood can sing her under the table and they agreed on that. She said she’s glad to see females kicking butt this year. And she said she was glad to be part of that. She also won album of the year for her double disc, “The Weight of These Wings.

TYLER – The City of Tyler Stormwater Maintenance Department will close Reed Road from Kent Drive to Meadors Cemetery Road to replace existing culvert drainage pipe at the intersection with Meadors Cemetery Road (County Road 2121). Southbound traffic on Kent Drive will be detoured east onto CR 2213, then south on Monarch, then east onto CR 2121 (Meadors Cemetery Road). Northbound traffic for Reed Road will be detoured eastbound on Meadors Cemetery Road (CR 2121), then north on Monarch, then west on CR 2213, then north on Kent Drive. Work is to begin on Tuesday and run through Friday.

TYLER – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System broke ground Monday on a massive new expansion project at the Tyler hospital. The multi-million dollar expansion project will see a new 200,000-square-foot Tower to be built on the south side of the Tyler hospital. There will be a a skywalk leading to a new 850-space parking garage across Dawson Street. The Tower will house a state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center, advanced Intensive Care Units and multiple support services. There will also be space for future growth. Construction of the multi-level garage is scheduled to be complete by this December. The tower is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2019. Continue reading Expansion Project Starting at a Tyler Hospital

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the victim in a Sunday morning accident. Troopers responded to a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 59, about one mile north of Nacogdoches. According to KETK, around 10:35 a.m., a car entered U.S. 59 North in front of tractor-trailer and was hit by the semi. The driver of the car, Jeannie Oeffner, 64, of Katy, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was identified as Tony Smelser, 67, of San Angelo. Smelser was not injured. The wreck remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — Four men have been indicted in connection with what police said was a home invasion and robbery in September on Clearwood Drive in Longview, according to the Longview News-Journal. Markerrion D’shon Allison (pictured), 20, and Trekeymian Jamal Allison, 19, both of Carthage; and Reginald Darnelle Jones, 17, and Sean Owens-Toombs, 18, both of Longview, were indicted on charges of aggravated robbery. Police said the men forced their way into the home Sept. 8 and shot a man while trying to steal drugs.

TYLER — Due to weather conditions in Tyler, numerous intersections in South Tyler are without traffic lights, according to Tyler Police. Authorities advise drivers to use caution and watch for officers in the roadway directing traffic. Remember to treat an intersection as a four-way stop if the lights are out and no officer is present. Officers ask you to report any tree limbs or debris in the roadway that may be a traffic hazard. So far, no flooding has been reported.

TYLER — Police arrested Tyelor Wingfield, 22, after he led police on an extremely slow paced chase. According to KETK, the chase started Saturday on Erwin Street and ended on Chandler Highway. Wingfield was driving at 25 mph with one flat tire. When police finally got him to pull over, he reportedly spit on one of the officers. Wingfield was charged with DWI, evading arrest, resisting arrest and harassing a public officer. Tyelor was also arrested February 25 for DWI.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating an attempted armed robbery that resulted in one person being shot. Just before 4:00 Saturday afternoon, officers were dispatched to Boost Mobile on East Grand Avenue. A black male wearing a black hoodie reportedly entered the store and attempted to rob the business. A business owner from a neighboring store heard the commotion and went to see what was happening. Shortly after entering the store, gunfire was exchanged between the business owner and suspect. The business owner, whose name has not been released, was shot and transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. The suspect fled the scene with no money. It is unclear if he suffered any injuries. Anyone with information is urged to call Marshall Police, 903-935-4575 or Marshall- Harrison County Crime Stoppers, 903-935-9969.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Thursday after police said they found drug paraphernalia and marijuana in his possession and a bottle of pills inside his person. According to KETK, Colton Tre-el Johnson, 24, was held Friday on bonds totaling $7,000, charged with possession of a controlled substance measuring less than 28 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana measuring less than 2 ounces. Police were called Thursday to Best Buy in the 400 block of West Loop 281 in reference to several people leaving with possibly stolen items. After stopping Johnson, police said they searched his vehicle and found less than 2 ounces of marijuana and a digital weight scale. Continue reading Man Jailed Following Traffic Stop, Cavity Search

NACOGDOCHES – Three men from Houston, returning home from Arkansas, have been arrested on drug charges in Nacogdoches County. The Men’s SUV was stopped for a traffic violation. After talking with the three, deputies became suspicious of drug activities. When they refused a search of the vehicle, a K-9 was brought to the scene and the dog alerted deputies to the presence of drugs. Inside the vehicle they found Over fifteen thousand pills ranging from Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, hydromorphone and amphetamine. They also located a small quantity of marijuana. Continue reading Traffic Stop Results in Drug Charges in Nacogdoches County

TYLER – Seven new police cadets who graduated from the Tyler Junior College Police Academy last week have been officially sworn in by Chief Jimmy Toler. Two of the cadets ended up receiving two most highly sought after awards for the academy. The “Valedictorian” for this class was awarded to Abby Rodseth, who had the highest grade point average of all the previous valedictorians with a 98.7 GPA. The “Top Gun” award for the highest score of shooting was awarded to Stephen Thomas. Continue reading New Tyler Police Officers Receive Oath of Office

NACOGDOCHES – Two Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies were injured Friday morning while fighting with a suspect. It happened after a report of a suspicious man who appeared to be selling drugs. He was found in the parking lot near the jail visitation area. When the deputy tried to stop him from walking away, he starting fighting with the deputy. Another deputy tried to help, but the fight continued. Additional deputies arrived and Haward Johnson, 47, of Nacogdoches, was taken into custody. Continue reading Man Arrested After Fighting With Nacogdoches Deputies

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Jacksonville man has been found guilty of 34 counts of child abuse. Kevin Ray Morris Sr., of Jacksonville, was handed 11 life sentences. In addition to the life sentences stacked with 450 years in prison, the jury also assessed a $340,000 fine against Morris. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, on March 30, a jury found Morris guilty of child sexual abuse including, aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child, and indecency with a child. Judge Chris Day ordered all possible counts stacked, and told Morris after sentencing, “Mr. Morris, there is really no other way to put it, you are a monster.” Continue reading Man Gets 450 Years in Prison for Sex Crimes Against Children

TYLER – Last year the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant left the Metroplex, after over 20 years, for Tyler. And it was announced Friday at a news conference at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway, the pageant will be coming back to Tyler. It will be at the Holiday Inn September 22nd through 24th. The pageant’s state director Peggy Wagner said, returning to Tyler was a no-brainer. She said the city opened their arms to the pageant and contestants. They even received a key to the city from Mayor Martin Heines. According to Wagner, “when we thought about where we were going to have it in 2017, it took no rocket scientist to advise us, we’re going back to Tyler.” Continue reading A Senior’s Pageant Returns to Tyler

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested on a charge of public indecency. William Larry Foley, 40, was arrested around 10:00 Thursday night. A woman told officers that Foley had exposed himself to her and two children as he stood between two house on Claude Street. Foley is in the Smith County Jail under a $10,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is going to prison for a murder over two years ago. Aaron McCoy, 25, had been arrested and charged with the murder of Garrett Neal. The Longview News Journal reports McCoy pled guilty Friday morning and was sentenced to 33 years in prison. Neal was found shot in a home on Sandlin Street in January of 2015. McCoy was arrested in the case in May of last year after an inmate who had been in the same cellblock with him, told investigators McCoy had admitted to the murder. The inmate also said that McCoy had left his cell phone at the scene of the murder.