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MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating an attempted ATM theft that caused extensive damage to an E-Z Mart on West Pinecrest Drive shortly before 6:00 Tuesday morning. Surveillance video at https://youtu.be/6NWLH69v8kw shows the unsuccessful pair in action. The vehicle used has been reported stolen and not recovered. It’s described as a red Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck with Texas plates AC11120. This is the second time this summer this EZ Mart has been targeted in an attempted ATM theft. The first crime occurred May 19 and the suspects in that case have not been identified. Continue reading Marshall Police Probe ATM Theft Attempt

TYLER – A 30-year-old Longview man has been indicted in Tyler federal court in a student financial aid fraud scheme, and his sister has pleaded guilty. Robert Brisco is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, multiple counts of mail fraud, and multiple counts of student financial aid fraud. From June 2013 to September 2015, Brisco and others are accused of conspiring to use wire communications and the mail to fraudulently obtain student financial aid funds through the Pell Grant Program and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If convicted, Brisco faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Continue reading Longview Man Indicted for Financial Aid Fraud Scheme; Sister Pleads Guilty

TYLER — A well-known musician who owns a music store in the Flint area is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says 55-year-old Grant Edward Cook of Flint was arrested Monday. The incident reportedly took place July 4 on Highway 155 in the Flint area, at a location where the suspect’s girlfriend and two grandchildren were spending the night. The victim, who is under age 14, made an outcry to her sister, who in turn told the grandmother. Authorities received word about the alleged crime on July 9 from the grandmother. Continue reading Local Musician Arrested for Child Sex Assault

TYLER — With an eye on improved safety, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority held a news conference Wednesday to announce a two-phase project that will see some upgrades for Toll 49. Both phases will include adding pavement to the existing roadway to create a four-foot flush median between travel lanes, repaving with new asphalt, adding rumble strips, restriping, adding reflectors, and additional signage. Segment 3B (from SH 31 to I-20) is being widened by four feet. Work has already started, and it’s expected to be done by the end of this year. The second phase involves 15 miles of Toll 49, from SH 32 to SH 110. That phase will start next year.

TYLER — Tyler police say a vice investigation has spurred two arrests in a case of aggravated promotion of prostitution, but one suspect remains at large. According to a news release, On April 20, Tyler officers responded to the Rodeway Inn Hotel on SSW Loop 323. The 17-year-old caller said she had been picked up the day before from a restaurant in Fort Worth and brought to Tyler by three men. They were later identified as 25-year-olds Cederrick Monshod Shaquil Clarkson (pictured) and Demarcus Franshun Davis, along with 24-year-old Kentrell Dewayne Davis. Continue reading Two Jailed, One Sought in Prostitution Promotion Case

GREGG COUNTY — A Tyler woman was arrested Monday after police said she pulled a small plastic bag of methamphetamine from her bra. According to the Longview News-Journal, Michelle Nicole Coward, 30, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug and tamper/fabricate physical evidence with intent to impair. Coward was a passenger in a car stopped around noon Monday in Kilgore for a defective brake light. A Gregg County Deputy Constable reportedly found several prescription pills in Coward’s possession, which she said she got from her grandmother. The deputy also said she was in possession of a glass pipe and two small plastic bags she had hidden in her bra, one of which contained meth. Coward was booked into the Gregg County Jail with bonds totaling $11,000.

LUFKIN — Tony Houston, 37, Lufkin, was arrested Tuesday night after the Lufkin Police Chief witnessed him stealing tires from a Jeep Cherokee in the parking lot a restaurant. Cops initially received a report around 4:30 regarding a suspect stealing two tires from the vehicle in the parking lot of parked in Cafe Del Rio. The suspect was gone when officer arrived. Around 7:10, Chief Gerald Williamson was at the restaurant when Houston returned and saw him remove the remaining two tires. A chase ensued and Houston was arrested at his home. He was booked into the Angelina County Jail. The tires were recovered and officers put the wheels back on the vehicle.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says a man has been found in Overton after being reported missing in May. According to KETK, Lt. Jay Webb reported Tuesday that 54-year-old Daniel Leroy Knox is “well and living in Gregg County.” The case has been closed.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department announces the promotion of Kevin May to fire marshal and public information officer. May has been an employee of the Longview Fire Department since August 2000. He had served as a deputy fire marshal since February 2012.

BOSSIER CITY, La. — A registered sex offender from Gladewater has surrendered to police in Bossier City, Louisiana, after being charged with video voyeurism. According to KETK, police say 34-year-old Russel Cole Harty is accused of placing a cell phone under a dressing room partition at Old Navy in Bossier City to view a 17-year old girl who was trying on clothes in a dressing room stall. Police say the victim and a store employee confronted Harty as he left the store. Video and photos, reportedly of Harty and his vehicle, were taken by a customer who was inside the store at the time of the incident. The customer then posted what she captured on Facebook.

SMITH COUNTY — 57-year-old Abraham Silverio Lopez of Grand Saline is dead in a Monday accident in northern Smith County. The DPS says according to a preliminary investigation, Lopez was driving westbound on U.S. 80, some six miles west of Mineola. Sgt. Jean Dark says for an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene.

KILGORE — Kilgore attorney Tom Watson has announced he’s running as a Republican for Gregg County District Attorney. In a news release, Watson cites his “energy, dedication and over 22 years of experience in law enforcement, prosecution, and litigation in Gregg County.” Watson will challenge incumbent and fellow Republican Carl Dorrough. Watson says he’ll “aggressively act to convict murderers and violent offenders in a timely fashion…improve teamwork and communications with all Gregg County law enforcement, and represent Gregg County in court as a fearless and effective prosecutor.”

TYLER — Some East Texas schools are in need of intervention according to the Texas Education Agency. But KETK reports at least one local school official questions the report, which is based on reading and math scores as well as graduation rates. The TEA used data from the 2016 accountability report to place schools into categories regarding their need for intervention. In Tyler, Dogan Middle School, Griffin Elementary, Jones Elementary, and Robert E. Lee High Schools are listed as priority and focus schools. But TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford says, “What’s really puzzling and a little bit comical is one school on the list actually received six out of seven academic distinctions from the state of Texas.” Continue reading Crawford Questions New TEA Data on Local Schools

TYLER — The National Transportation Safety Board has released their preliminary report regarding a fatal plane crash in Tyler July 13. The pilot and passenger were killed. According to KETK, the pilot of the plane was retired Southwest Airlines pilot, Bobby Walls, 62, of Huntsville. According to his Facebook page, he worked for the airline for 23 years. Walls is a 1977 graduate of Baylor University. The passenger, Trevor Morris, 39, was a pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. Morris served as a missionary in Ecuador. He was also a husband and father of five. Morris was also the General Manager at Burton Oil Service Operations in Midland. Services for Morris were held Tuesday at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. Continue reading NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Tyler Plane Crash

TYLER — All lanes of Loop 323 in Tyler are now open after an 18-wheeler overturned. But all southbound lanes of Troup Hwy. south of the loop will remain closed till sometime this evening as crews work to right the truck. Police advise you to continue to avoid the area if possible. There are no injuries.

TYLER — Longtime Smith County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cary Nix has announced he’ll be seeking another term. The Republican says in a brief media statement that he’s enjoyed his service to the citizens of the county and his home precinct. Nix adds that he looks forward to working with the new leadership on the Commissioners Court “as we continue to address the needs of this growing county.” Nix has no announced opposition thus far.

AUSTIN (AP) – Two convicted felons on separate Texas 10 Most Wanted lists, including a man from East Texas, are back in jail. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday announced the arrests of 57-year-old Briggs Clinton Lawhon of Palestine and 45-year-old Erasmo Zapata of Corpus Christi. DPS says Lawhon, who was on the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitives list, was captured last Thursday near Angleton. Records show Lawhon, a gang member and fugitive since December 2015, was wanted for parole violation and theft. A tipster will receive a reward of up to $7,500. Continue reading Two Most Wanted Felons Arrested, One from Palestine

TYLER — Services for Trevor Morris (pictured) will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. The 39-year-old pastor at Brownsboro’s Union Hill Baptist Church was one of two people killed in a small plane crash last week near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Meanwhile, KETK reports the crash investigation continues. The NTSB worked to reconstruct the debris Saturday and look over it to see any signs to point to a cause. After about a week or two, officials expect to release a preliminary report. But due to extensive review requirements, it could be a year before a full factual report is released — then another three months before a cause is made public.

GILMER — 42-year-old Latonya Champion of Pittsburg is dead after a one-vehicle crash shortly after 9:00 Sunday night on U.S. 271 about a mile south of Gilmer. According to KETK, the DPS says the driver of an SUV headed north hit her brakes to dodge a slower-moving vehicle. The SUV left the road and flipped onto its right side. Authorities identified the driver as Deshanda Green, 31, of Pittsburg. Three other passengers were in the vehicle, including Champion. The driver, along with a 2-year-old and 4-year-old, were not hurt. Champion was taken to a Longview hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in solving the 2002 Cherokee County murder of 44-year-old Dennis Matlock. Also, an increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible, if the tip is received before next month’s featured case is announced. On Jan. 16, 2002, Matlock was found dead in his residence in Reklaw from injuries including blunt force and stab wounds. No arrests have been made. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating. Continue reading DPS Offers Increased Reward, Seeks Leads in 2002 Cherokee County Murder

LAKE TYLER — The City of Tyler is extending the closure of a portion of South Hillcreek Road, near Lake Tyler, to make repairs to the road and to the drainage channel that runs north of the road. According to a news release, the closure is being extended through August 4 due to weather and other unexpected delays. The affected section of road is closed to all traffic. Residences to the east of the project location may still be accessed from the east by Slack Road or CR 2133. The closure runs From FM 848 to a location slightly north of Whitehouse.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been arrested for child sex crimes. According to KETK, the United States Marshal Service arrested Frank Gray Jr., 58, Friday for indecency with a child by sexual contact. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $60,000. Additional details were not available.

MARSHALL — The Department of Public Safety said a Marshall man died early Saturday morning in an ATV wreck. According to KETK, around 2:20, Garfield M. Williams, 40, was driving the ATV in a ditch when it struck a culvert and rolled. Williams died after he was thrown from the vehicle.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 17, 2017. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

The SH 64 resurfacing project continues from Loop 323 to just west of the Tyler Pounds Airport. Seal coat operations kick off Monday, July 17, and include lane closures with possible delays for traffic. Motorists are urged to avoid the area if at all possible during this work. Flaggers will provide traffic control. More project information is available in the Smith County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of July 17

SMITH COUNTY — A child was taken to Children’s Hospital following a near drowning at Lake Tyler. According to KETK, it happened around 4:00 Sunday afternoon at Hill Creek Park in Whitehouse. Responding emergency crews said by the time they had arrived, the child had been pulled from the water but was not fully alert. She was taken to a Tyler hospital, then transported to Dallas as a precaution. As of Sunday evening, the toddler remained hospitalized.

TYLER — Rose Festival Queen Emily Kaye Evans is excited about this year’s 84th annual event, set for October 19-22. At Friday night’s Festival Kickoff, Emily told KTBB, “I’ve seen the full costume, which is very exciting for me, and I’ve met so many wonderful girls that have come in from out of town.” She added, “I’ve really enjoyed learning more about what the Rose Festival really means to the community, and the sense of pride and all.” A key purpose of the kickoff is to honor the Festival volunteers. Emily remarked, “This would not be possible without any of them, and I am very grateful for all that they’ve done — what they’re continuing to do every year.” The Rose Festival is Tyler’s annual salute to the local rose industry. Go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police continue to investigate a fatal accident at Estes Parkway and I-20. According to the LPD Facebook page, around 11:45 Saturday night, a Chevy Silverado truck left the westbound lane of I-20. It reportedly fell from the roadway and hit a stationary train below and caught fire. Nelda Holland Cooper, 77, Troup, was identified as the victim via partial VIN number. West bound I-20 was closed for several hours. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has received the 2017 Local Health Department of the Year Award, medium category. It was handed out in the annual conference of the National Association of City and County Health Officials in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In a statement to CCDPH Executive Director Christopher Taylor, NACCHO officials said that the Jacksonville based county health department “stood out . . . by showing creativity, innovation, sufficient evidence of outcomes and impact on the community, with partners, community and key stakeholders.”