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ANGELINA COUNTY — A Pollok man was arrested Wednesday on accusations he stole more than $100,000 from his employer, East Texas Open MRI. Jon LaCount was released from jail the same day on a $20,000 bond. An arrest affidavit stated LaCount was in charge of keeping the financial records, but those responsibilities were taken from him in 2009 when the managing partner found discrepancies. An investigation into the matter showed LaCount was using company money to pay his personal credit cards, property taxes, dental work, vehicle repairs and groceries bought at Sam’s Club.

The total amount stolen is reportedly more than $100,000, the affidavit stated. Workers and the managing partner gave written statements to police saying LaCount did admit he used company money to pay his bills. If convicted of the charge of second-degree felony theft, LaCount faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER — Postal Service managers got an earful last night from area residents who don’t want a Smith County mail processing operation shut down. They were in Tyler to give an overview and gather community input regarding a proposal to move some mail processing operations from the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center. None of those who showed up at the Tyler hearing last night approved the plan.

The AMP proposal supports consolidating some mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center in Owentown by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Austin, North Texas and Shreveport postal plants. The proposal is an effort to increase efficiency and improve productivity and save money. While no final decisions have been reached, Postal Service managers will gave an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes. A summary of the proposal and presentation materials will be made available on usps.com.

McKinney Boyd with the Dallas district of the postal service tells KETK, he realizes people nationwide are passionate when it comes to closing facilities. “It’s like part of the community. It’s like the library or a police station. They become passionate, we understand that. But at the same time, we’re losing $23 Million a day. We have to do something to offset those expenses.”

ALBA – A third person has died from a three vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 69 near Alba. The latest to die from that Tuesday Wood County wreck was Margaret Miller, 69, of Sherman. She had been in critical condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Dead at the scene of the crash was Michael West, 38, Alba and Suzan Fincher, 74, Sherman. Fincher was a passenger in a car driven by Angela Ann Shoffstall, 74, Fairview, who remains in critical condition at ETMC.

Investigators say that a car was traveling north on US 69 when it slowed to make a left turn into a rest area. While the vehicle waited for traffic to clear from the southbound lanes, it was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The impact sent the car into the oncoming southbound traffic where it was struck broadside by a another car.

LONGVIEW – A Longview family has escaped their burning home uninjured. The fire was reported around 8:00 last night in the 1300 block of Young Street. Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen when a pan of grease ignited. About 30% of the home was damaged.

CANTON – A car stuck in the mud has turned into a drug arrest in Van Zandt County. Officers answering a trespassing call found the car on County Road 1804. A man and a woman were in the car, which was registered to the man, Michael Lee Herrera of Quitman. Herrera was taken into custody when it was discovered he was wanted on a narcotics warrant for methamphetamine out of Dallas County.

During an inventory of the vehicle, deputies found about 30 grams of meth, scales used to weigh and measure drugs and small baggies used for the distribution of narcotics. Herrera is being held with no bond. He is also facing additional charges of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. The woman was released.

HAWKINS — Water has been restored to Hawkins. It was disrupted yesterday morning after an eight-inch water main ruptured, causing water to gush from an area on Farm Road 14 near Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hawkins. That forced the system to be shut down while repairs were made. City officials announced last night that the repair was completed and that water service had been restored.

WELLS – Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a home in Wells. It was reported at the Jose Zapata residence on Homer Street just before 7:30 Wednesday night. Zapata was at home when the fire started but was able to escape without being injured.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin couple ended up in jail after the breakup of their 15 year relationship turned violent. Arrested on charges of assault/family violence, were Christopher Hill and Monita Bryant. Bryant told investigators that Hill punched her in the jaw, tried to back his car over her, grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground.

Hill said Bryant started hitting him in the face as he drove her to a friend’s house. When she got out of the car, he claims she returned and started punching him in the head through an open window. Both had injuries that required medical attention. At last report, both remained in the Angelina County Jail.

CUSHING – Nacogdoches County authorities are investigating the break-in at Texas Bank and Trust in Cushing. Someone disabled the alarm system and then pried open a rear door to get into the building. Employees found the break-in when they arrived around 8:00 yesterday morning. It is believed the break-in occurred around 7:00 hours earlier, that’s when records indicate the power was lost to the building. Anyone who might have seen some suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department.

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, in partnership with R&K Distributors is preparing to provide a “Safe-Ride-Home” on New Year’s Eve. For the fourth consecutive year, Longview Transit will give free rides to anyone within Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve between 8:00pm and 3:00am. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext.10.

Transportation service will be available to or from any Longview destination. The service is offered to the general public, including individuals that have had a couple drinks or those that simply do not want to drive that evening. If possible, Longview Transit encourages riders to schedule trips in advance.

According to Longview Transit General Manager Rob Stephens, “Longview Transit is proud to be able to offer this unique service for residents celebrating the New Year. We want to be able to provide a safe and easy alternative to getting behind the wheel.”
The Safe-Ride-Home initiative is made possible by the financial contribution of R&K Distributors. For more information about Longview Transit or Safe-Ride-Home, visit http://www.LongviewTransit.com or call 903-753-2287.

HAWKINS — An eight-inch water main ruptured this morning causing water to gush from an area on FM 14 near Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hawkins. No residents are without service, but service will be stopped to about 670 customers when service on the line begins. According to Janis Smith, Hawkins City Secretary, repairs cannot begin until ordered equipment arrives. City crews are expected to be working all night. “Exxon must uncover a pipeline located in the same area as the eight-inch water lines before the city crews can try to repair the water lines buried 12- to 14-foot deep. Exxon has not uncovered their pipeline yet,” Smith said. The City of Hawkins does not know how long it will take to repair the leak.

QUITMAN — A suspect wanted for the abuse of a child under the age of 14, David Bowman, 25, has been added to Wood County’s most wanted list. Meanwhile, Wood County officials said another suspect, Roni Michelle Curry, 24, turned herself in Wednesday afternoon on a charge of continuous sexual assault of a child younger than the age of 14. Her bond is set at $200,000.

HALLSVILLE — The only Hallsville police officer who had not been fired Wednesday resigned Wednesday night in the middle of his shift, police chief Lukas Reynolds said. Reynolds said Earl Dykes, the department’s lone patrol officer after administrators terminated the former chief and two police officers, resigned at around 10:00.

Hallsville Mayor Jerri Medrano terminated former chief Greg Scott, Sgt. Mack Fuller and patrol officer T.C. Livingston Wednesday morning without severance pay. City administrators changed the locks Wednesday at Hallsville’s police station after the police chief and officers were fired. The city’s new police chief, Lukas Reynolds, was there to watch the fired officers clean out their desks and patrol cars and see them out the door.

“This decision was taken as a result of routine evaluation of personnel employed by the city at the Hallsville Police Department,” Medrano said. “During this evaluation, it became apparent to the city that the affected officers were not performing their official duties to the standards necessary for employees of the city. Their continued employment by the Hallsville Police Department was not in the best interest of the citizens of Hallsville.”

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide public safety assistance, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety to the Hallsville Police Department.

LONGVIEW — The skeletal remains found in a Longview creek bottom December 21st have been identified. Pathologists have confirmed the man’s identity as Silas Eugene Moore, 62, of Longview. He was reported missing in July. A wallet with Moore’s ID was found at the scene. Authorities withheld the name until it was confirmed by the pathologist.

The body was found in the creek bottom by a man and his son who were looking for minnows in the creek. Because of the condition of the remains, the cause of death has yet to be established. That could take months. But investigators say they do not expect foul play.

At the time, police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said investigators found a wallet with identification in Moore’s pants pocket, but they were waiting on a positive confirmation of his identity from the pathologist. Fort said he had not received an official ruling on the man’s death, and didn’t expect one for a few months due to the condition of the remains when they were found. Officials said foul play is not suspected.

EAST TEXAS — Texas wildfire survivors in 23 counties have just one week to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for potential state and federal recovery
assistance. The registration deadline is Jan. 6, for survivors in counties designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration of Sept. 9, 2011.

The counties are Anderson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Cass, Colorado, Fayette, Gregg, Grimes, Harrison, Henderson, Hill, Houston, Leon, Marion, Montgomery, Navarro, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Upshur, Walker, Waller and Williamson.

Jan. 6 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans for property damage.

To date, more than $13.3 million in grants has been approved for home repairs or replacement, rental assistance and other needs. Another $19.5 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans has been approved for 174 homes and businesses.

Survivors can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov until midnight January 6.

TYLER — Postal Service managers will give an overview and gather community input regarding a proposal to move some mail processing operations from the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center. The AMP proposal supports consolidating some mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Austin, North Texas and Shreveport postal plants in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity. While no decisions have been reached, Postal Service managers will give an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes, and will listen to community input and concerns. A summary of the proposal and presentation materials will be made available on usps.com.

The meeting will take place tonight at 6:00 at the Hampton Inn Conference Center 3130 Troup Hwy.

WOOD COUNTY — Officials have released the name of a man shot to death earlier this month in Wood County. Rogelio Elezar Mendoza-Alva, 23, was found dead on the morning of December 19, according to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. The department said the shooting occurred in the 6,000 block of County Road 4470, east of Winnsboro and near the Camp County Line. Responding officers found the Mendoza-Alva dead in bed with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Officials issued an arrest warrant for Abraham Mendoz Eusebo Lopez, 25. Police believe he might be in the Houston area. Lopez is a cousin of the victim and could be driving a blue and tan Ford Explorer. He’s described as a Hispanic man, 6′ tall, 170 pounds, driving a blue and tan 2002 Ford Explorer LP BV4T768.

LUFKIN – Lufkin police have arrested a man accused of stealing money from his employer to pay his bills. Jon Thomas Lacount, 37, is accused of stealing over $100,000 over several years from East Texas Open MRI. Investigators say Lacount used the money for his credit cards, dental bills, groceries, vehicle work and property taxes. The Angelina County grand jury indicted Lacount earlier this week. He is currently free on a $20,000 bond.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities have found the body of a missing man in a heavily wooded area south of Marshall. Officials received a call regarding a missing person from Marshall Tuesday night around 10:00. Jeremy Grinnell, 19, had last been seen at his workplace, but had left and did not clock out. The vehicle that the missing person had driven to work was at the residence; however, a motorcycle was missing. The family found a letter that the missing person left behind at the residence and in the letter, the missing person made several apology references to his family.

Deputies tried to find Grinnell during a search at night and received assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter unit in Longview. Around 11:30, Grinnell’s motorcycle and coat were found in a heavily wooded area south of Marshall, Leigh Road and Long John Road, in the Scottsville area of the county. Tracking dogs followed a scent path from the area of the discovery to the location where a body was found. The deputies blocked off the area and a crime scene investigation has been initiated. An autopsy has been ordered.

TYLER — Tyler Police confirm a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle around 11:30 in the 500 block of South Broadway this morning. The person was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

SMITH COUNTY — The Tyler Police Department along with Smith County Law Enforcement agencies will be out in force during the New Year Holiday on the lookout for drunken drivers and they won’t be taking “NO” for an answer. Starting Friday, December 30, through Saturday December 31, a multi-joint effort between the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and police agencies from all over Smith County will participate in the ‘No-Refusal’ DWI Campaign once again.

Upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked if they would submit to blow into a breath-test machine or take a blood test. If the driver refuses and says “No” officers will obtain an immediate search warrant signed by a judge on call to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. 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.

LONGVIEW — Five Longview residents have been displaced after a stove ignited in the home. Longview Fire Department Chief J.P. Steelman said firefighters were dispatched around 11:20 Wednesday morning to the residence in the 1400 block of Timpson Street in connection with a residential house fire.

Steelman said one of the residents had the stove on to help heat the duplex, when she left the residence to go next door. Steelman said the resident told investigators that when she came back the kitchen was on fire. There were five people in the duplex when the fire ignited, but no injuries were reported.

TYLER (AP) – One of only 15 Marines to survive the 1941 attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor has died at a Tyler hospice. Lamar Crawford Sr. was 91. Rev. Paul Howell, who conducted funeral services in Tyler Wednesday, described Crawford as a quiet man with a deep faith and trust in the Lord.

Crawford, who died last week, was born in Union County, Arkansas. He joined the Marines in 1940. On December 7, 1941, he was at his battle station just below the crow’s nest on the Arizona’s rear tower when the ship exploded and began sinking. He dove into the water and was rescued by sailors in a small boat. Crawford worked as a postal inspector after the war, retiring in 1976.

KILGORE — A vehicle wrecked into a southeast Kilgore doctor’s office, rupturing a gas line but causing no injuries. According to Kilgore police spokesman Roman Roberson, authorities responded shortly after 9:30 yesterday morning to a one-vehicle crash at 2019 South Henderson Boulevard. McNabb Chiropractic Clinic is at that address, according to yellowbook.com. Roberson said no injuries were reported, and gas service has been temporarily disconnected. The name of the driver in the wreck has not been released.

MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK. — No injuries reported after a plane carrying at least two East Texans crashes Tuesday in northern Arkansas. Officials say a single-engine 1974 Piper plane piloted by Tony Clowers, 62, Texarkana, Arkansas, was attempting to take off when it lost lift and crashed into an open field past the end of the runway. Clowers and passengers Ann Clapp, of Texarkana, Texas, and her son, Zack Clapp, of Kilgore, were not injured in the cash. The FAA is investigating.

Ann Clapp said a burst of wind blowing from the north might have played a role in the failed take off. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the crash. The damaged plane will remain where it stopped until FAA officials arrive and conduct an investigation.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Crime Stoppers and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office are seeking information concerning the recent burglaries of a business located on Highway 149 near the Farm Road 349 intersection. The business, TD Mart at 8753 Highway 149 in Longview, was broken into on December 4th around 1:00am by a white male with brown hair, a beard, wearing bib overalls and a dark color hoodie. He reportedly threw an object through the front window and reached in taking several cans of tobacco products and placing the items in his pockets, all captured on the store’s video recording system. The same suspect is seen again on the store video on the morning of December 27th throwing an object through the store window and then reaching in taking several cans of tobacco products.

Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect is encouraged to contact either the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-236-8409 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER – A Tyler home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 7:00 yesterday morning at a home on Sunnyside, near the East Texas Fairgrounds. An extension cord is believed to be the cause of the fire. It was a small cord and a TV and a space heater was plugged into it. Investigators say the extension cord was too small for that many amps. No injuries were reported.

ALBA — A three vehicle crash located on U.S. Highway 69 in Wood County just south of the city of Alba, has left two persons dead and two injured. The crash was reported just before 10:00 Tuesday morning. Preliminary investigation shows that a Honda passenger car was traveling North bound when it slowed to make a left turn into a rest area. While the vehicle waited for traffic to clear from the southbound lanes, it was struck from behind by a Ford pickup truck. The impact sent the Honda into the oncoming southbound traffic where it was struck broadside by a Toyota Camry.

The driver of the Honda passenger car has been identified as Margaret Miller, 69, Sherman. She was airlifted to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center in critical condition. The Dodge truck was driven by Michael West, 38, Alba. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Angela Ann Shoffstall, 74, Fairview. She was also airlifted to ETMC, Tyler in critical condition. A passenger in her vehicle who was ejected at impact has been identified as Suzan Fincher, 74, Sherman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – Republican State Representative Leo Berman of Tyler has been awarded an A+ rating and endorsed for reelection by both the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association. Berman, a seven-term representative, has received these awards for each of his terms in the Texas Legislature.

Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, wrote: “Texas gun owners, hunters, and concealed handgun licensees are in your debt. Our 40,000 members could not have a better friend in the Texas House than Rep. Leo Berman.”

Berman said, “I am a strong advocate of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a life member of both the NRA and TSRA, and I am a concealed handgun licensee. I am proud to receive these endorsements.”

TYLER — Roadwork at Loop 323 and Donnybrook and Loop 323 and Copeland will begin this morning at 7:30. It should continue through Thursday. The City of Tyler will restructure lanes and lights in both areas. Drivers are urged to use caution and seek alternate routes if possible.