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LONGVIEW – One robbery suspect is in custody and Longview police are looking for a second in a robbery earlier this week. The robbery occurred Monday night on San Augustine Lane. The victim said the suspects shined a flashlight in his eyes making it difficult to see, displayed a pistol and robbed him of his wallet, and other items, including several firearms. About an hour later, officers found the suspects’ vehicle on West Radio Street. In the car they found the items taken from the victim. Juan Jose Solis,18, of Longview, was arrested for Aggravated Robbery. The police continue to work to identify the second suspect.

TYLER – The word out of Alanta, Georgia is that Tyler Junior College has moved from being a level one institution of higher education to level two. The announcement came during the annual meeting of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges. Level II status means TJC has the same level of staff and procedures required of four-year institutions. School President Dr. Mike Metke says it means “Our professors, library services and financial standards all meet the same criteria required of colleges that award baccalaureate degree.” He says, this means everyone wins. “You can come to TJC and receive the same high quality education you’d get at a four-year college, but you’ll pay community college prices.” Continue reading TJC Now a Level II Institution

WASKOM – One person has been killed and one injured in a one vehicle accident in Harrison County. Dead at the scene was Gabrielle Anastasia Barrett, 18, of Waskom. The pickup driver, Maximino Iniguez-Ulloa,21, of Karnack, is hospitalized. According to the Department of public safety, the pickup hydroplaned on a curve, left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened around 10:30 Tuesday night on Farm Road 134, about 6 1/2 miles south of Waskom.

LONGVIEW – A protest has caused the Longview Fire Department to remove a cross from in front of a fire station. The cross went up at Station 6 last year along with the Christmas lights. But after complaints, the cross has come down this year. Longview Spokesman Shawn Hara told KETK, “displays that are religious of nature that are placed on public property face challenges, so our practice is that we don’t do that.” But today, there is still a cross in front of the fire station. A family across the street from the fire station put one up. They said they did it to show that they appreciate what the fire department does for the community.

AUSTIN – The state comptroller’s office is sending out over $627 billion in local sales tax allocations. This is up slightly from December of last year. But some area cities will be getting less than a year ago. Tyler’s sales tax allocation for December is $3,004,127.71. This is down over 5.28% from a year ago. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocation is $39,141,185.50 or down 4.19% from the figure a year ago. Longview’s December sales tax allocation is $2,017,274.28 or down 11.11% from a year ago. For the year, Longview has received from the state $29,525,351.76. This is off $4.07% from a year ago.

SMITH COUNTY — One person was killed, two others injured following a three vehicle wreck Tuesday evening. According to the Department of Public Safety report, just before 6:00, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Destiny Simpson, 31, Arp, was traveling west on SH-64 when she struck a Ford Explorer making a left hand turn. The Explorer, driven by Geraldine Clark, 71, Troup, was sent into oncoming traffic where it was hit head-on by a Toyota Camry, driven by George Brown, 64, Henderson . Clark was pronounced dead at the scene. Simpson and Brown were transported to Tyler hospitals in stable condition.

TYLER — The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas surprised a 17-year-old boy with the truck of his dreams. Make-A-Wish offers once in a lifetime opportunities to children with life threatening medical conditions. KETK reports, it was a wish in the making for more than four months. Nick Hill loved his 2002 Chevy but it needed some upgrading. Davis-Green Paint and Body in Tyler worked on the truck to make it close to new. “I feel like a kid on Christmas” Nick Hill, Make-A-Wish kid, said. Nick thought his truck was just getting minor fixes in the shop, but to his surprise, the whole truck was remodeled. “It’s like a brand new truck, it looks better than I’d ever imagine.” Nick Hill said. Continue reading Teen’s Make-A-Wish Granted

DALLAS (AP) — A memorial service has been planned for a prominent personal injury attorney who died Sunday. The memorial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday for Brian Loncar. The service will be at Munger Place Church. Visitation will be at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery from noon until 7 p.m. Thursday. The burial will be private, according to the Dallas Morning News. Dallas police said the 56-year-old was found unresponsive Sunday morning in the front seat of his vehicle, which was parked in front of his downtown law office, Cesar Chavez Blvd. Police say the manner and cause of death are still under investigation. Continue reading Memorial Service Planned for Dallas Lawyer

TYLER – Some Tyler 9th graders signed up for a new program Tuesday night. It’s the TJC Promise Scholarship program, where the students can get two free years of college at Tyler Junior College. The Director of Counseling for TISD, Leigh Ann Barber, said the students who sign the pledge now must meet certain academic, attendance and community service standards throughout high school. The program is not just for TISD students. It’s also for students in the TJC taxing district. Besides Tyler, this includes Chapel Hill, Grand Saline, Lindale, Van and Winona.

TYLER – Following Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, the new Smith County Animal Control facility in downtown Tyler is now open to the public. You can go to the shelter, at 322 East Ferguson, to adopt a dog. Dogs were brought in from the old shelter on Tuesday. The new location was selected because it is in downtown Tyler, which is centrally located within the county. The old facility in Winona has room for up to 40 dogs. The new facility will quadruple the capability of Smith County Animal Control Services, making room for up to 169 dogs. Continue reading Animal Control Facility Opens

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners have adopted a resolution urging TxDot to make improvements to U.S. Highway 271. The county is asking for funds for safety improvements, re-striping and maybe even widening the road. Other area entities are expected to take similar action. The Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board members meet Wednesday. They begin a a 30-day public comment period on proposed revisions to the road’s improvement plans. The Longview city council will consider a resolution to speed up improvements to Highway 271 when it meets on Thursday. In Texas, Highway 271 runs from Tyler northward to the Red River.

LONGVIEW – The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee has announced its unity honorees. The lifetime achievement award pays homage to people who have demonstrated leadership in promoting harmony, understanding and social justice in the Longview area. The 2017 award winners are Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt and Evalonia Barrett-Bolton, a former trustee at Wiley College. The two will receive their awards at the Unity Honors Luncheon. It will be held in February at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Also, two Special Recognition Awards will be presented at the luncheon. They will go to to Habitat for Humanity of Longview and MyView.

HAWKINS – One person has been killed and one injured in a one vehicle accident in northern Smith County. The accident happened just before 1:00 Monday afternoon on Farm Road 14, about 4 miles south of Hawkins. Killed was the driver, 68 year old Rita Schaaf of Holly Lake ranch. A passenger, 70 year old David Schaaf, of Holly Lake Ranch, is hospitalized in Tyler. According to the Department of Public Safety, Their car was heading north and tried to pass another vehicle. The driver lost control of the car, which hit a guardrail, and came to rest upside down in a creek bed.

TYLER – The first case of the Zika Virus has been identified in Smith County. Northeast Texas Public Health reports the case was not contracted in the county. But a person who lives in the county traveled to an area endemic with the Zika virus. NET Health said it is monitoring the situation closely in regards to what this means for our residents and visitors of east Texas. There are no other cases of suspected transmission of the Zika virus in Smith County at this time, and no local transmission of the Zika virus from a mosquito bite has been detected in east Texas. Continue reading Zika Case in Smith County

TYLER – For the 4th time this year, the Lavanderia Express on South Vine in Tyler has been robbed. The latest was shortly after 3:15 Tuesday morning when two men with handguns entered the business. They demanded cash from the register and safe, then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The two are described as black men, thin build, wearing all black clothing and face masks. In March, the business was robbed by a man with a knife. It was robbed on October 31st by a man with a gun and was robbed a couple of weeks ago by three men with guns.

EAST TEXAS – Marshall’s Christmas parade has been rescheduled. The parade had been set for last Saturday, but was cancelled over concerns about the weather. After receiving some complaints over the cancellation, the Marshall Convention and Visitor Bureau announced the Wonderland of Lights parade is being rescheduled for this Saturday at 6:00pm. The parade route will be the same. But. in White Oak, it’s a different story. The White Oak Christmas Parade, which was scheduled for Monday night, has been canceled due to the threat of bad weather. The parade will not be rescheduled.

TYLER – The ribbon has been cut, officially opening Smith County’s new animal control facility. It is located at 322 East Ferguson. The location was selected because it is in downtown Tyler, which is centrally located within the county. The old facility in Winona has room for up to 40 dogs. The new facility will quadruple the capability of Smith County Animal Control Services, making room for up to 169 dogs. Smith County Animal Control plans to move the dogs to the new facility and open it up to the public this week. Continue reading New Animal Control Facility in Tyler

DALLAS – Dallas has announced the five finalists for the city manager’s job. And one has Tyler ties. One of the candidates is Dallas Assistant City Manager Mark McDaniel. He was the Tyler City Manager from 2008 to 2014. He started his new job in Dallas on September 2nd, 2014. The finalist will be meeting with city officials this week. The public is invited to meet them Tuesday night. And there will be a called meeting on Friday so council members can discuss the candidates and and their next course of action. There are those in Dallas who say that McDaniel is the odds-on-favorite to land the job.

TYLER – An Oklahoma murder suspect has been seen in Tyler. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office tells KETK that 25 year old Baltazar Sanchez-Garica was seen in Tyler following the slaying in late November. The suspect, an illegal immigrant, is accused of stabbing to death a woman he once dated. She broke up the relationship and married someone else. The man is said to have stolen the victim’s husband’s pickup and may be trying to make it back to Mexico. If you see the suspect, you are ask to call your local law enforce agency.

TYLER – Tyler Junior College’s online program has received national recognition. The Community for Accredited Online Schools says the TJC program is one of the best in the nation. In its annual rankings for the 2016-17 academic year, TJC was honored for:
* Best Online Colleges
* Best Online Vocational Schools
* Best Two-year Art Degree Program
* Best Ultrasound Technician Program Continue reading TJC Gets Online Recognition

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December 5th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

In Tyler, a couple of repair jobs are planned for Loop 323. Monday and Tuesday from 9:00am to 3:00pm., crews will be performing base repair work on the Loop 323 Extension. The work requires lane closures with periodic detours around the extension using US 271. Continue reading TxDot Road Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Score one for East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert and his barbecued ribs. Gohmert had been ordered by the house architect to stop grilling ribs on the office balcony of another congressman. But he says Republican Whip Steve Scalise and Speaker Paul Ryan have intervened to allow Gohmert to continue smoking his tasty ribs, which are popular with Republicans and Democrats alike. Gohmert says, “When I cook, it’s probably the only time here on Capitol Hill when I actually leave a good taste in people’s mouths instead of a bitter taste.” The architect had said the barbecuing posed a fire hazard.

SMITH COUNTY — A two vehicle wreck on Highway 31 leaves one person dead and three others injured. It happened just after 4:00 Saturday afternoon on SH-31 about nine miles west of Kilgore. The DPS report indicated that a 2006 Ford Expedition was traveling eastbound on 31 when it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a 2015 GMC Traverse head-on. The driver of the Expedition, identified as Keith Nelson, 32, Longview, was listed in serious condition. The driver of the Traverse, Traci Tippitt, 50, Kilgore, was taken to ETMC-Tyler in stable condition. A passenger in the Traverse, Mark Tippitt, 56, Kilgore was pronounced dead at the hospital. Another passenger in the Traverse, Jack Ward, 78, Henderson, was transported to ETMC-Tyler in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Pittsburg man has died in a one vehicle accident early Sunday morning . According to the Department of Public Safety, around 12:25 Robert Benton Mumma was traveling north on FM-2454, 7 miles south of Gilmer, when the vehicle drifted off the roadway. Officials said the 61-year-old attempted to get back onto the roadway and over-corrected, sending the vehicle into a side-skid. The vehicle then crossed over the road and struck a tree. Mumma was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One man was killed, two injured in a wreck Saturday night just east of Jacksonville. According to the Department of Public Safety, a truck, driven by Kenneth Lee Lambert, 41, was headed east on FM 22 when he attempted to pass another vehicle. The DPS report said Lambert lost control of the truck on the wet roadway and drove through a bar ditch and into a tree. Lambert was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers, Lincoln Austin Kirby, 25, and Corey Wayne Benedict, 24, both of Jacksonville, were listed in stable condition.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department released the names of those involved in a fatality Friday night. Officials said Elaine Stanley, Lufkin, was killed after she was hit by an unlicensed driver. Lufkin Police said Stanley was crossing the street on East Denman Avenue when she stepped in front of a Ford Expedition. The driver of the vehicle, Erick Leyva, 15, reportedly had difficulty seeing the woman due to rainy conditions. Leyva immediately turned his vehicle around and parked in the middle of the road in an attempt to shield Stanley from further injury. According to witnesses, Leyva was traveling at a normal speed when the accident occurred. He was ticketed for no driver’s license. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER – A pilot had to make a belly landing at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport after his landing grear failed to fully extend. The City of Tyler told KETK the pilot was flying a King Air private plane. After flying around to burn off fuel, he successfully landed Friday afternoon as emergency crews looked on. No injuries were reported.

EAST TEXAS – The weather is causing problems for holiday events planned in East Texas this weekend. Heavy rain is predected Saturday through Monday. KETK is reporting over 4 inches of rain will be seen in some areas. Because of the weather, holiday events are either being cancelled or rescheduled. Continue reading Weather Putting a Crimp in Some Holiday Events

GLADEWATER – A report of a suspicious person resulted in the arrest of a Gladewater man. Early Thursday evening, Gladewater police had received a report of a man parking at a vacant house and walking down the street. They found Anthony Ross Turner, 52, on Maple Avenue. As they started to pat him down, Turner is said to have started to pull something out of his coat pocket. As the officers physically restrained him, a gun dropped to the ground. They then used a taser on him, in case he had another weapon or tried to reach for the dropped gun. A check showed Turner to be a registered sex offender and a convicted felon. He has now been charged with resisting arrest, search or seizure and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.