LONGVIEW – A Longview burglary suspect has been busted with the goods. A police officer was responding to a call around 9:00 Wednesday night when he saw 34 year old Jose Luis Carnejo of Longview walking down Bolten Street. And he was carrying a television. As he stopped to investigate, he heard a call of a burglary on Birdsong Street. He was told a TV had been stolen. The TV Carnejo had matched the description of the stolen TV. He’s been charged with burglary of a habitation. Bond was set at $20,000.
Casserole Recalled from Brookshire’s Stores
WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration reports the recall of a green bean casserole sold in Brookshire’s Grocery Stores. Farm To Market Foods of Santo, Texas is recalling the green bean casserole, because it may contain undeclared Peanut Allergens. The green bean casserole was sold as 32 oz. retail trays and were included with Holiday Smoked Turkey and Ham Dinner Kits at the retail deli departments. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanut allergens run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product. No illnesses have been reported to date. Continue reading Casserole Recalled from Brookshire’s Stores
Texas Man with Life Sentence for East Texas Woman’s Slaying Free On Bond
HOUSTON (AP) — A Houston-area man whose life prison sentence for the 1999 killing of his pregnant wife was vacated by Texas’ highest criminal court has been freed on bond. David Mark Temple walked out of the Harris County Jail late Wednesday afternoon after nine years in a Texas prison. He had been accused of staging a burglary at his home in Katy and fatally shooting his wife because he was having an affair. His wife, Belinda, grew up in Nacogdoches. Her husband played football for Stephen F. Austin State University. Temple, who was charged 5 years after the slaying, is due in court next week for a hearing. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals last month ruled the outcome of Temple’s trial would have been different if a Harris County prosecutor hadn’t withheld evidence from his attorneys and had disclosed other evidence to them sooner.
Tyler Business Robbed
TYLER – A Tyler robbery is under investigation. The robbery occurred shortly after 11;30 Wednesday night at the Game Room on South Vine Street. An employee told officers she had been robbed by a Hispanic male. He was about 5′ 10″ with a heavy build. He was wearing a face mask, hooded shirt and shorts. left the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of currency. No injuries were reported.
Stepped Up DWI Enforcement
TYLER – Once again over the New Year’s holiday, area law enforcement agencies are stepping up enforcement of DWIs. Through Sunday, extra patrols will be out looking for the drunk driver. And they will participate in the ‘No-Refusal’ DWI Campaign once again. If a suspected drunk driver refuses a breath or blood test, they will get a search warrant from a judge to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin says the blood is then analyzed to determine whether the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for driving in Texas. Martin says they encourage everyone to be smart over the holiday. Don’t drink and drive. If you find you have had too much to drink, then get a designated driver. Make it a safe holiday for everybody.
Planning Could Lead to New International Rail Crossing
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A large-scale study in the works could lead to the eventual relocation of railroad tracks in southern Dona Ana County, N.M., and the establishment of a new international rail crossing west of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports options are being considered in conjunction with a bigger-picture proposal to relocate rail shipping yards of major railways from downtown El Paso, Texas, to Santa Teresa. BNSF Railway spokesman Joe Sloan says the company is in talks with New Mexico officials about improving rail crossings and possibly re-routing tracks. Documents show at least three routes have been proposed, but no decisions have been made. Border economic development officials say a feasibility study also is being done by the Mexican state of Chihuahua since coordination would be needed on both sides of the border.
Lufkin Jailer Arrested and Fired
LUFKIN – An investigation has led to the firing of an Angelina County jailer. Fired Wednesday was Roger D. Grimes. He was arrested and charged with official oppression, a class A misdemeanor. Sheriff Greg Sanches said the arrest came after Grimes was alleged to have assaulted an Angelina County inmate on December 19.
Body Discovered in Gregg County
LONGVIEW – Gregg County authorities are investigating a body found around noon on Wednesday. A sheriff”s deputy check of a car turned up the body nearby. It was found near the intersection of State Highway 42 and Red River Road. Currently, authorities do not believe this case is criminal in nature. No other information has been released about the case.
A Reminder About Firework Safety
EAST TEXAS – East Texans are preparing to usher in a new year. Local officials are urging people to keep safety in mind. They’re fun, but they could be dangerous. Each year thousands of people, often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature which is hotter than the temperature that it takes to melt glass. Nearly 90% of emergency room firework related injuries involve fireworks consumers are permitted to use. There are city ordinances in Tyler and Longview that bans using fireworks within the city limits. And remember, you cannot discharge a firearm in the city limits. Those bullets are going up in the air and they have to come down somewhere.
Longview Wreck Turns Fatal
LONGVIEW – One person has died from a injuries received last week in a Longview accident. Lisa Gail Wiley of Longview, 52, died Saturday at Good Shepherd Medical Center. She was involved in an accident shortly before 7:45pm on December 21st at the intersection of Pine Tree Road and East Sycamore Lane. Police say her vehicle failed to yield the right of way to an SUV driven by 27 year-old Kimberly Breanne Ward, of Longview. Ward and two passengers in her vehicle were injured. Police believe that Wiley may have been under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the accident.
A Random Act of Kindness
KILGORE – A Kilgore police officer has exhibited a random act of kindness. To a mother with two small kids, he was an angel in uniform. Last month Corporal Jarrett Bradberry found a young mother with a three year old child and five month old child walking along US Highway 259. From another state, she was left stranded by her boyfriend with no means to return home. Bradberry and a concerned citizen helped put the family up in a local hotel until a member of her family could pick her up. They also provided meals. Corporal Bradberry even purchased some clothing items and toys for the children. The nursing staff at the Kilgore Good Shepherd Emergency Room learned of the situation and also chipped in to buy some items the family needed. According to their Face Book page, the department awarded Bradberry a Letter of Commendation for his actions.
Henderson County Man Charged with Murder
ATHENS – A Henderson County man is being charged in his wife’s death. Daniel Joseph Scott, 28, who lives near Log Cabin, was arrested at East Texas Medical Center in Athens early Wednesday morning. He has been charged with the shooting death of Alicia Scott, 29. Further details about the case have not been released. The woman’s body has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy. Scott remains in the Henderson County Jail under a $3,500,000 bond. He is also being held on an outstanding arrest warrant, which stems from an assault charge out of Henderson County.
Three Men Arrested in Palestine for Counterfeiting
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department has arrested three men allegedly involved in producing counterfeit money. KETK reports that after multiple reports of the counterfeit bills circulating through Palestine, early last week investigators received information that led to the alleged source of the crime. Arrest warrants were issued for Christopher Aherns, 43, Carlos Hull, 40, and Michael Sharples, 45. While serving the search and arrest warrants, police say they found several computers, printers, and counterfeit bills in denominations of $20s, $50s, and $100s.
Man Accused of Pulling Gun On His Sister
LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been accused of pulling a gun on his sister and threatening her. Arrested was Steven Wayne Gilliam, 54. The incident happened around 4:00 Monday afternoon on West Hope Drive. It was said that Gilliam got into an argument with his sister because of her boyfriend. Gilliam said, he didn’t like him. He has been accused of aggravated assault with a weapon. Gilliam remains in the Gregg County Jail under a $7,500 bond.
Anderson County Teen’s Death Investigated
PALESTINE – The death of an Anderson County teen will be taken to the grand jury for review. What appears to be an accidental shooting occurred around 8:45 last Friday night. It happened off County Road 350 in the Neches area. The 19 year old was shot in the head. He was first taken to a Palestine hospital, and then transferred to a Tyler hospital where he died. His name has not been released.
Razor Blades Found in Longview Shoes
LONGVIEW – An East Texas mother reports finding razor blades in shoes at a Longview Wal-Mart. Candi Mace of Tatum told the Longview News Journal she found four razor blades in different pairs of shoes on different parts of the aisle. The shoes were not near each other. She said the blades had been stuck inside the shoe alongside the paper and cardboard that is normally there, so they were pointing up. At last report, the store had not filed a report with the police department. Mace told police department spokeswoman Kristie Brian, the store’s manager told her the store’s security team would handle the matter.
A Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident in Longview
TYLER – A pedestrian in Longview has been ticketed after being hit by a car. The accident happened shortly after 6:00 Monday night just north of the intersection of South High Street and Betty Drive. Taken to to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries was 28 year-old Dexter Jamar Stoker, of Marshall. He told officers he was looking down at his cell phone as he was attempting to cross the roadway, 30 feet north of the intersection, when he walked into the car driven by a Longview man. Stoker was ticketed for pedestrian failed to yield right of way to a vehicle.
A Smith County Sexual Assault Arrest
TYLER – A Smith County man has been arrested on a charge of sexual assault of a child. According to the booking report from the Smith County Sheriff’s Departmnet, 31 year old Mark James Nunley of Lindale was booked into jail late last week. The charge, “Sex abuse of child continuous: victim under 14.” The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Tyler. During the interview, the youngster described being sexually abused repeatedly by Nunley for an extended period of time. An adult witness told investigators that they had actually caught the suspect in the act of abusing the child in the past. Nunley was arrested last Thursday after surrendering at the Smith County Jail. He is currently free on a $350,000 bond.
Traffic Heading East from Dallas was Backed Up for a Time
Time To Plan a Safe Celebration
EAST TEXAS – Plans are now being made to usher in the new year in East Texas. Let’s make this year’s celebration a safe one. Don’t plan to usher in the new year by firing guns into the air. Remember, what goes up, must come down. People have been killed and injured by those falling bullets. Keep your emotions and drinking under control at the new year’s eve parties. It’s not unusual to have stories of shootings and stabbing following those celebrations. And don’t drink excessively and then drive. Once again law agencies in Smith County will be out in force, looking for the drunk driver. And again, they won’t take no for an answer.
Donations Raise $11K for Longview Animal Shelter
LONGVIEW — A nonprofit group supporting the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center says it raised more than $11,000 from its Home for the Holidays fundraiser. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “Every penny of that will benefit the animals in our care,” said Kristen Ishihara with Longview PAWS, which raises money to support the city’s six-month-old animal shelter. The fundraiser included a raffle for nine custom-made doghouses, and 1,500 raffle tickets were sold along with additional donations, Ishihara said. DCH Custom Carpentry, Johnson & Pace engineering firm, Thacker/Davis Architects, RLM Construction, Hugman Architecture and Construction, Chris Botto, Steve Pirtle Construction, Bates Construction, and Satterwhite Log Homes donated the doghouses. Continue reading Donations Raise $11K for Longview Animal Shelter
Time to Recycle Christmas Trees
EAST TEXAS – Christmas tree recycling is now underway in the area. There are two Tyler locations for Christmas tree recycling. There are designated areas at Golden Road Park and Fun Forest Park. All lights, ornaments, garland and tinsel should be removed from the trees before dropping it off near the sign that says “Christmas Tree Recycling.” The trees at the parks are available for area fisherman to pick up and sink in nearby lakes to create fish habitats. In Longview, Christmas trees may be taken to the city’s compost site at 2020 Swinging Bridge Road. And in both Tyler and Longview, the trees can set out curbside with other yard waste.
Fiery Collision Just North of Tyler
TYLER – A Tyler man has been critically injured in a Christmas morning accident. It happened shortly before 1:15 on Highway 69 North, just south of the Tyler Market Center Pavilion. Taken to East Texas Medical Center was Darrus Evans, 46. At this time his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The accident occurred when a vehicle pulled out in front of an 18-wheeler. The truck took evasive action and pulled into the path of Evans pickup. The pickup became stuck underneath the eighteen-wheeler and caught fire. Police officers used handheld fire extinguishers and were able to keep it under control long enough to remove Evans from the burning vehicle. The vehicle that caused the accident did not remain at the scene.
Two in Custody in Marshall Shooting
MARSHALL – Two Longview teenagers are in custody in Marshall after shots were fired. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred shortly before 10:45 Saturday morning at the Decker Place Apartments on East End Boulevard South. One of the rounds went through an apartment just above a couch where a young child was lying. Witnesses gave officers a description of the two suspects, who fled the area on foot. A short time later, a patrol officer spotted two young men matching the description. Arrested were Robert Rayson and Dallas Moore, both 17. Each teen was charged with possession of drugs and unlawful carrying of a weapon. More charges may be filed.
One Killed in Tyler Accident
TYLER – One person has been killed in a two vehicle accident in Tyler. It occurred on Paluxy Drive near its intersection with Brandon Drive around 1:15 Friday afternoon. Killed was Kali Faye Randolph, 21, of Rusk. A Passenger in her car is hospitalized. Two persons in the other vehicle, an SUV, were treated at the scene and released. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Longview’s Latest Homicide
LONGVIEW – The death of a woman whose body was found in a car, is now being investigated by Longview police as a homicide. The death is that of 28 year old Victorria Jasmine Sam of Longview. A report of a shooting resulted in officers going to Duncan Street shortly after 5:30 Monday afternoon. According to a police department statement, “Based on evidence investigators gathered at the scene and autopsy results, police are investigating this case as a homicide.†They have not released the cause of death. The victim’s mother told the Longview News Journal that her daughter had been shot. Continue reading Longview’s Latest Homicide
Man Found Dead in Marshall Identified
MARSHALL – A man found dead in Marshall has been identified, and officials are now referring to the case as a homicide. On Thursday at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Marshall Police Department received a call regarding a welfare concern. When officers arrived on the scene on North Hazelwood Street, they located a deceased male, lying in the yard of a residence, with what are believed to be gunshot wounds. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Carlos Flores of Marshall. Chief Jesus “Eddie†Campa says officers are “working tirelessly to determine the circumstances leading up to the death.” Anyone with information is urged to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.
First Christmas Kettle Spirit Award Handed Out
TYLER – The cheer and drill teams from John Tyler High School and Robert E Lee High School faced off for the Salvation Army earlier this week. Friday, it was announced which of the two teams was the winner of the 1st Annual Christmas Kettle Spirit Award. Each team manned two separate doors at their respective locations. After the first day, only $17.07 separated the two schools. In the end, Robert E Lee won by only $87.60. The two schools raised a total of $3,249 for the Salvation Army. The goal for the local Red Kettle Drive is $400,000. This has been the goal the past two years, a goal that has not been met. And it appears it will fall short again this year. Continue reading First Christmas Kettle Spirit Award Handed Out
Window Shot Out in Tyler
TYLER – Tyler police are looking for three or four persons responsible for shooting out a window on the city’s southeast side. It happened around 2:00 Thursday afternoon on Varsity Drive, near the University of Texas at Tyler. One round was said to have been fired from a moving vehicle, described as a 2014 blue Nissan Sentra. It was last seen heading south on Highway 110 toward Whitehouse. The suspects are said to be black males. There were no reports of any injuries.
A Gaming Arrest in Cherokee County
MT. SELMAN – There has been another arrest in the area concerning an illegal game room. Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies served a warrant this week at the Hot Spot convenience store in Mt. Selman. The action came after the sheriff’s department received reports of people placing bets on gambling devices and winning cash prizes. At the business, they seized gaming equipment, a large game table, money and documents. Arrested was the store’s owner, Feroz Abdul Aibani. He is currently free after posting a $1,500 bond.
