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TYLER — It’s official — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert has filed for re-election. Gohmert, currently in his sixth term, has served in the U.S. House since January 2005. He’ll be challenged in the March GOP primary by Lufkin-area resident Simon Winston. Shirley McKellar of Tyler is the lone announced Democratic candidate.

EAST TEXAS – Purchasing officials for Smith and Gregg counties are working together to form a local chapter of the National Procurement Institute. Smith County Purchasing Director Kim Gould and Gregg County Purchasing Agent Kelli Davis were recently selected to serve as directors for the national organization and hope to get area purchasing officials involved. According to a Smith County news release, Davis will serve as president, and Gould will serve as vice president of the local chapter.

As quoted in the news release, Davis says a lot can be accomplished when officials “work together with a common goal of saving taxpayer money.” Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt says in the news release that Gregg County officials are “extremely pleased with Mrs. Davis’s performance and the co-leadership role she is playing in this project with Kim Gould.” Smith County Judge Joel Baker says forming a local purchasing group will be beneficial for the entire region.

Nine officials from several counties attended an initial meeting in November in Gregg County. They are hoping to spread the word to get more participation at their second meeting, planned for 1:30 p.m. on December 17 in the Smith County Commissioners Courtroom. All purchasing officials who work for nonprofit and governmental entities, including school districts, colleges and universities, are invited to attend. Davis and Gould are inviting all purchasing professionals within a 13-county region — including Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties — to become involved in the local association.

LONGVIEW – The race for state Senator Kevin Eltife’s seat is heating up between state Representatives David Simpson of Longview and Bryan Hughes of Mineola. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Simpson is accusing Hughes of slander. During a forum in November, Hughes claimed Simpson has played “both sides” in the debate over granting Texas drivers’ licenses to undocumented workers. However, Simpson says he has never supported that sort of legislation and that his voting record backs up his position. In an open letter, Simpson said Hughes is misleading their constituents and called for a public correction. A spokesman for Hughes says Simpson’s interpretation of the legislation is quote “simply just wrong.”

TYLER – Tyler police have named the people involved in a fatal crash just before 10:00 Tuesday night on County Road 2120. The deceased passenger was Jason David Cook, 37. The driver was Chasity Khan, 32, of Tyler. Officers said it appears that the vehicle ran off the road and struck several trees. Khan was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation, but alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

LONGVIEW – More details are released following a police involved shooting last month. The suspect police shot had stolen ammunition and a container of explosives, according to an arrest warrant after a break-in at a sporting goods store last month in Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Nathan David Lanicek, 35, of Longview was held Wednesday on bonds totaling $500,000, charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant. Police said Lanicek broke into Academy Sports and Outdoors store off McCann Road and exchanged gunfire with police in the early morning hours of November 17. Several officers responded to the store after multiple security alarms were triggered. The Texas Rangers still are investigating the shooting, the fifth this year involving Longview police. All three officers placed on leave in the shooting were back on the job Tuesday. Lanicek was arrested by Gregg County sheriff’s deputies at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

LONGVIEW — Organizers say you should be prepared to see amazing floats, local celebrities, live performances, marching bands, equestrians, animated characters, giant balloons, and Santa at the Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade. The City of Longview Main Street and Longview AMBUCS invite you to the parade at 6:30 this evening. The parade will begin at the intersection of Whaley and Green, travel West on Whaley to Horaney, South on Horaney, turn left to go East on Methvin past the beautifully lit Gregg County Courthouse and past the reviewing stand in front of the Regions Bank Parking Lot. The parade will disband at Methvin and Third.

TYLER — The 30th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza immediately following the Tyler Rotary Club’s Christmas Parade, kicks off tonight at 6:00 in Downtown Tyler. Parade floats will follow the same route used in previous years, moving southward on Broadway Avenue from Bow Street, turning west on Ferguson Street, south on Bois D’Arc Avenue and east on Erwin Street before returning north on Spring Avenue. Immediately following the parade, the Texas Miracle Child, Luke Skinner, will light the Christmas Tree with Mayor Martin Heines. There will be performances by the Sold Out Jazz Orchestra (SOJO), the Clarkston Elementary Chorale and the TJC Apache Belles. Santa Claus will be available for photos and to take gift requests.

All parking in the Fair Plaza Garage will be free after 5:00pm on Thursday in honor of the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. The Salvation Army will provide free hot chocolate to parade viewers and concessions will be available for a fee.

The following streets will be closed for the parade from approximately 5:00 to 8:00pm: North Broadway Avenue from Gentry Parkway to Elm Street, Ferguson Street from Bonner Avenue to Center Avenue, Bois D’Arc Avenue from Ferguson Street to Erwin Street, Erwin Street from Bonner Avenue to Center Avenue and Spring Street from Elm Street to Valentine Street. Those already parked in this area will be able to exit after the roads have been closed. Anyone who uses North Broadway Avenue on their route home is asked to use an alternate route on either Glenwood Avenue or Beckham Avenue.

Following the parade, Liberty Hall will feature the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7:00pm. Tickets are $7 and may be purchased at http://www.LibertyTyler.com or at the door.

PALESTINE (AP/Staff) – A Palestine judge has backtracked on an earlier order that placed extraordinary restrictions on media coverage of the man suspected of killing a family of six at an Anderson County campsite. District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans on Nov. 20 approved a motion by the attorney for William Hudson that forbids reporting on the evidence compiled against him and any photographs of him. The motion also required that all pretrial hearings be held in her chambers and not in open court. Evans issued a revised order Tuesday removing those restrictions following complaints by media companies, including the Palestine Herald-Press. Evans was not available Wednesday for comment. Hudson is charged with six counts of capital murder in last month’s killing on rural land adjacent to his.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating a shooting. KETK reports that police got a 911 call just before 5:30 Wednesday morning. It occurred on Loop 390 North near Tolivar Road. Upon arrival, members of the Patrol Bureau found Gantry Green, 52, of Ogden, Arkansas, lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken by the Marshall Fire Department’s EMS to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall, where he is being treated for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. A juvenile has been detained pending further investigation by members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.

TYLER — Two people are in custody following a crash and manhunt overnight in Smith County. According to KETK, Lindale police say authorities arrested Willie Anthony Jeffrey, 24, of Lindale, and Rosemary Susie Frame, 33, of Tyler, at a Walmart in Tyler. At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to a crash on Interstate 20 in the Lindale area. When police made it to the crash site, witnesses said a man, woman, and child ran into a wooded area. The man was believed to be the driver. The truck involved was found mangled in the trees.

While law enforcement officials searched for the people involved, investigators determined the driver was wanted on warrants in Texas and out of state. Authorities began forming a perimeter around the crash site, but the suspects were able to make it through to a La Quinta on Centennial Boulevard in Lindale. The group then hopped in a cab to a Walmart in Tyler.

Smith County deputies were sent to the store and quickly arrested Jeffrey and Frame. The 3-year-old girl, who is Jeffrey’s child, was taken to a local hospital and released to a family member. Both adults were charged with endangering a child. Jeffrey also faces additional charges of accident involving injury and four warrants outside of Smith County: possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana (Comal County), and principal to grand theft auto and organized fraud (Marion County, Florida). Jeffrey is being held on no bond. A DPS helicopter and K-9 officers assisted in the search.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man involved in a November shootout with police was booked into the Gregg County Jail Tuesday. Nathan David Lanicek, 35, is being held on two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, according to online jail records. His bond has not been set. Lanicek was taken to Longview Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries Nov. 17 after a shootout with police that started after police say a suspect broke into Academy Sports and Outdoors.

Meanwhile, three Longview officers involved in the shooting with Lanicek at Best Buy on November 17 are back at work. KETK reports the officers had been on paid administrative leave, per department policy. Longview Police Public Information Officer Kristie Brian said the officers would return to their shifts Tuesday night. Lanicek (pictured), was shot during a gunfire exchange with the officers after allegedly breaking into the Academy Sports Center on Forest Square. He later phoned 911 from the roof of Best Buy and said he had been shot.

The case remains under investigation by the Texas Rangers and Longview Police Department. The findings will be turned over to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for review and presentation to a grand jury.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Commissioners met Tuesday and one of the items on the agenda, open carry in the courthouse. The open carry act is effective starting January 1, 2016, but the court still needs to decide whether they will allow guns in the courthouse. Sheriff Larry Smith spoke out saying he believes they should not be allowed in the courthouse. According to KETK, he said he disagrees with Governor Greg Abbott, who has said they cannot be banned from government buildings. Abbott says if a court is inside of a multipurpose building, guns can only be banned from the areas considered premises of the court. Commissioners did not make a decision Tuesday. They said they’ll await comment by Attorney General Ken Paxton.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a fatal accident just before 10:00 Tuesday night on County Road 2120. Officers said it appears as though the blue Hyundai Santa Fe ran off the road and struck several trees. The driver, a 32-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger, a 37-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation, but alcohol is believed to have been a factor. Names are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners voted Tuesday to add two more safety zones for completion of online deals. According to a news release, the sites will offer citizens a safe place to make quick, one-time exchanges involving deals arranged on Craigslist and similar social media sites. Commissioners designated the Smith County Emergency Operations Center west parking lot on Spur 248 in Tyler and the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office on S. Main St. in Lindale. Precinct 5 Constable Kenneth Bibby said sometimes those kinds of meetings can become volatile and he hopes the presence of law enforcement can help with those exchanges. He said his staff is in and out of the office and is sometimes there during evening hours and on the weekends.

Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said he recommended the two additional safe zones because of requests made by the public. The law enforcement sites in Tyler and Lindale have security cameras monitoring the property at all times. Commissioners Terry Phillips and Cary Nix urged residents to use caution and common sense when setting up meeting times after hours, when the offices may not be staffed.

The new safe zones are a continuation of what Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin began offering at his office on Highway 155 South in Noonday in April. In light of a robbery during a Craigslist exchange, Dunklin decided to provide his parking lot for private, legal exchanges conducted through online services. Dunklin said at the time that he would not allow people to use the inside of his building, and he wanted the exchanges to be held during business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

TYLER – The 2016 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Child for Tyler is Luke Skinner, who will light downtown Tyler’s Christmas tree following the Tyler Rotary Club Christmas parade Thursday evening. According to a news release from Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, Luke survived a turbulent birth while his mother was on vacation at 31 weeks pregnant. She began suffering abdominal pain that was diagnosed as a life-threatening complication, and Luke had to be delivered early by an emergency C-section performed at Mother Frances Hospital. He weighed just two pounds, 12 ounces at birth and was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit while his mother spent two days in a coma. Eventually, Luke and his mom became healthy, and according to the news release, “by the way he runs, jumps and plays, you would never know that Luke…had a turbulent entrance into the world.” The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, with the tree lighting to follow.

RUSK – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in its investigation of a man arrested on child sex charges. Officials are asking parents who have concerns about any of their children who have stayed with or visited Thomas E. Scroggins at his home to contact the sheriff’s office and provide that information to one of the investigators. If a child has been to the Scroggins residence and makes statements to a parent, guardian, friend, or counselor, officials urge parents not to question the child in depth about the contact, and to contact an investigator with that information. The sheriff’s office says interviews will then be scheduled to speak to the child about the situation.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, “We understand, as parents and law enforcement, how difficult it may be to resist wanting to know all the details and will work diligently to identify other potential victims; however, we do not want to compromise the criminal investigation with influenced information from the victims if or when they come forward. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.”

The sheriff’s office reported Monday that detectives had executed a search warrant Friday at Scroggins’s home on Lake Road in the Shady Brook subdivision near Bullard and arrested the 25-year-old. Scroggins was jailed on $102,000 bond on two counts of indecency with a child and one count of displaying harmful material to a minor. At the time of his arrest, Scroggins was employed with the Frankston ISD Maintenance Department. He also attended a Frankston church and was involved with Little League Baseball in that community. Cherokee County detectives have made contact with Frankston ISD and the church he attended to make them aware of the ongoing investigation so they could make a determination on his status with them upon his release from Cherokee County.

The investigation into Scroggins began when an alleged victim claimed inappropriate conduct by Scroggins toward that person and two others. Officials say other victims were also identified. An initial interview with Scroggins after his arrest indicated there may be other victims who have not come forward or been identified. Each of the incidents in question reportedly occurred at or near Scroggins’s residence in Shady Brook. Officials say further details of the investigation cannot be released due the involvement of children.

SMITH COUNTY — The subject of a Smith County manhunt has been taken into custody. Officials said Allan Ray Burson, 49, Harleton, was booked into the Smith County Jail. He was wanted on an outstanding armed robbery warrant out of Harrison County. His new charges include evading arrest. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, around 9:45 Monday night, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 271 and FM Road 2015 in northeast Smith County. Burson gave the deputy his license, then sped off, igniting a chase. A short time later, Burson abandoned his truck, he fled on foot into a wooded area. Additional units were called in, including Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, a unit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden, along with a DPS helicopter. At 2:40 Tuesday morning, TDC canines tracked Burson to the I-20 service road near its intersection with FM 2015 where he was taken into custody.

SMITH COUNTY – A manhunt has been under way north of Tyler overnight for a Harrison County armed robbery suspect. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith advises motorists against picking up hitchhikers near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Farm Road 2015. The suspect is said to be white male, 6’1″, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen around 10:30 last night wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans.

TYLER — A Panola County man has been sentenced in Tyler federal court prison for conspiring to distribute over 50 kilograms of marijuana that was stolen from the Tenaha City Marshal’s Office in 2010. Roderrete Dewrayne McClure, 43, of Carthage, pleaded guilty on March 6, to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced Monday to 56 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

According to federal prosecutors, sometime before August 22, 2010, McClure and a confederate removed over fifty kilograms of marijuana from the Tenaha City Marshal’s Office evidence room. Fire starter logs were substituted to cover the taking of the marijuana. On August 17 and 19, 2010, McClure took digital images of the stolen marijuana and transmitted them to a person identified only as “T.F.” in order to facilitate the sale of the drugs in the Dallas area. In July 2010, McClure provided some of the stolen marijuana to another person, identified as “K.M.”, to sell in the area of Shreveport, Louisiana. McClure admitted that he received payments in exchange for the marijuana.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Tyler has fully transitioned to an in-network hospital in the Blue Cross Blue Shield preferred provider organization. That word came as BCBS filed Monday for an appeal of the November 12 injunction that granted in-network provider status to ETMC Tyler. ETMC Regional Healthcare System President/CEO Elmer Ellis says he believes the appellate court will uphold the injunction. A news release from ETMC says Blue Cross Blue Shield has fully complied with the court’s decision to make ETMC Tyler an in-network provider. Earlier this year, ETMC Tyler filed suit against Blue Cross Blue Shield, saying the hospital’s exclusion from the organization’s preferred provider networks has created serious and negative impacts on a large group of consumers. BCBS has not responded to a request for comment made earlier by KTBB.

TYLER – Blue Cross Blue Shield has filed an appeal of the November 12 injunction that granted in-network provider status to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The hospital’s president/CEO, Elmer Ellis, feels the appellate court will uphold the injunction. Ellis said in a news release, “We expected that the appeal would be filed, and we are confident that consumer choice will be protected as the legal process continues.” Ellis said the filing the appeal does not change ETMC Tyler’s in-network status. ETMC has now fully transitioned to an in-network hospital in the Blue Cross Blue Shield preferred provider organization. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, 30,000 East Texans in Smith County alone are now covered under its PPO network.

Earlier this year, ETMC filed suit in excess of $1 million against three of the largest health insurance carriers in East Texas. A news release at the time claimed that the hospital’s exclusion from the preferred provider networks (PPO) of these companies has created serious and negative consumer impacts. The insurance companies named in the suit are Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas, a division of Health Care Service Corporation; Aetna Health, Inc., Aetna Life Insurance Company; Cigna Healthcare of Texas, Inc.; and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company. The hospital argued in its suit that its exclusion lessens consumers’ choice of quality health care providers and increases healthcare costs for some patients. The suit also states that the exclusion of ETMC Tyler is contrary to the provisions of the Texas Insurance Code. Blue Cross Blue Shield has not responded to a request for comment made earlier by KTBB.

LONGVIEW – A Cass County woman has been killed in a two vehicle accident in Gregg County. Killed Monday morning was Amy Qualls, 42, of Avinger. She was killed when her car was hit by a pickup driven by Ellen Hicks, 31, of Longview. The Department of Public Safety reports Hicks was distracted by a pet dog in her pickup. Her vehicle crossed into the other lane of traffic, hitting Qualls’ car. Qualls was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center when she was pronounced dead about an hour after the accident. Hicks was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released. A 5 year old child in her vehicle remains hospitalized in serious condition. The accident happened just before 8:00 Monday morning 3 miles north of Longview on County Road 1466.

MINEOLA – State Representative Bryan Hughes of Mineola has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid for Texas Senate. As quoted in a news release from the Hughes campaign, Perry calls Hughes “a committed conservative fighting to secure our borders from illegal immigration,” adding that Hughes “has consistently stood to protect life and East Texas values.” Hughes faces state Representative David Simpson of Longview in the March GOP Primary. The two are trying to succeed Kevin Eltife of Tyler. You can go to http://www.bryanhughes.com/ or http://davidsimpson.com/ for more information on both campaigns.

TYLER – Based on what’s termed “the overwhelming response” to its first open carry and active shooter class, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled another session for 6:00 p.m. December 8 in Green Acres Baptist Church’s Galilee Room. Officials say the first event on November 14 drew an overflow crowd to the TJC West Campus. You’re asked to contact Laura Parsons at 903-590-2720 or Lt. Gary Middleton at 903-952-3619 for more information.

LONGVIEW – Longview police will be stepping up traffic enforcement during this holiday season in what they term an effort to gain voluntary compliance with traffic laws and reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents. Police point out that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend has passed and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. They remind you that this time of the year brings increased traffic to the streets of Longview, and that may increase the odds of being involved in a traffic accident.

Off-duty officers will be working overtime shifts to provide additional traffic enforcement, with an emphasis on speeding, seatbelt and child restraint violations, and impaired driving. That’s made possible by a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant the Department received from the Texas Department of Transportation. Additionally, officials say on-duty traffic and patrol officers will continue to step up traffic enforcement efforts during this time. Police remind you to be observant while driving and obey all traffic laws.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety confirms that there were six accidents reported Monday morning on I-20 westbound in Smith County. KETK reports the accidents were near exits 558 and 559 near Lavender Road. Further details are pending, but dispatch advised drivers to stay off this stretch of highway until the accidents were cleared.

FORT WORTH – A levee failure east of State Highway 34 in Kaufman County caused the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for a portion of the Trinity River. The warning officially expired at 9 a.m. Monday, but areas south of Highway 34, including the western portion of Henderson County, should be on the lookout for flooding of low-lying areas. Also covered by the warning were Kaufman, Ellis and Navarro Counties. Drivers in those areas are still urged to use caution and avoid roadways covered by water.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Meadows Gallery will feature the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Fall 2015 Exhibition beginning Monday. “The Last Moments of Face and Flipper” features the work of UT Tyler MFA degree candidate Samuel Brown of Austin, who works in mixed media. A public reception and gallery talk will be held from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the gallery. The exhibition will conclude Friday, Dec. 11. You can visit http://www.uttyler.edu/ for more information.

LONGVIEW — One person is in custody following an armed robbery at a Longview store just after 11:00 Saturday morning. According to KETK, police say Brandon Cole, 30, entered the Walmart store on East Loop 281 between North 4th Street and U.S. 259. Witnesses say Cole pulled out a gun and began demanding money from a clerk at the Money Center inside the store. They report Cole was given cash and then ran off. Officers say they found him a short time later in the area of Harmon Drive and Eubanks Street. Police report that the money stolen and the gun used have been recovered.

LONGVIEW — A 4-year-old girl was taken to Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center in critical condition Friday after she was struck by a vehicle. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, DPS officials said the girl was hit about 7:45 p.m. Friday on Tryon Road in Gregg County, about 3 miles north of Loop 281. They said she had gotten out of a house in the area and entered the road when a driver traveling south on Tryon Road saw her and hit his brakes, but was unable to stop. The girl’s name was not released by troopers or the Gregg County sheriff’s office.