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TYLER — A Tyler jury has found James Calvert guilty of capital murder. KETK reports jurors came to the decision in the nearly three-year case around 2:30 Thursday afternoon in the court of Judge Jack Skeen. Pre-trial hearings began in November 2012. In Calvert’s arrest affidavit, Officer Kenneth Gardner gave his sworn account of the tragic events that unfolded on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Gardner says he was contacted by Sergeant Billy Yates to respond to a reported shooting at 3315 Bain in Tyler. When he arrived, he noticed a door leading to the carport had been forced open. Gardner recalled a woman was lying in the doorway with half of her body inside the residence and half in the carport. There were also several shell casings from a firearm on the floor near the body. The woman, who was later identified as Jelena Calvert Sriraman, was deceased from apparent gunshot wounds, and there was blood around her head. Continue reading James Calvert Found Guilty in 2012 Murder-Kidnapping

TYLER — A Smith County man who was facing aggravated sexual assault of a child, bond forfeiture, and several indecency with a child warrants was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday after being on the run for 13 years. KETK reports that on May 15, U.S. Marshals in Spokane, Washington, arrested Robert Dean Reese, 54, who had been on the lam since 2002. Reese had been wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Longtime Fugitive Gets 20 Years

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro police say a new investigator from the attorney general’s office is taking over the the homicide case involving the death of 16-month-old Madison Cannon. KETK reports that according to a police statement, the new investigator is reviewing evidence and will be in Winnsboro within the next few weeks to discuss the next steps in the case. Police say they were told by the investigator that such cases are extremely time consuming and that the investigation would be a lengthy one. Continue reading New Investigator Named in Child Death Case

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a local school after a report that a pedestrian had been hit by a car. It happened just before 8:00 Thursday morning at Bishop T. K. Gorman, in the 1400 block of East Southeast Loop 323. Authorities said a school employee was walking across the faculty parking lot when they were reportedly struck by another employee. Officials believe the sun might have been a factor in the accident. The injured employee was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teen, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully carrying a weapon, has been identified by police as a member of the TYB gang. According to the Longview News-Journal, Malik Quran Bridges, 18, was jailed Wednesday on bonds totaling $501,000 on the two charges. He was arrested Tuesday on West Marshall Avenue after police helped him push his disabled vehicle out of the road. While pushing the car, officers saw Bridges drop a .22-caliber pistol in front of the vehicle, reports said. TYB is a gang exclusive to Longview, Longview police spokesman Kristie Brian said.

LUFKIN — A Wisconsin man has been convicted in federal court in Lufkin on drug and money trafficking charges. Henry Korvett Bams, 41, of Milwaukee, was found guilty by a jury Wednesday after a three day trial. Bams was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine in an amount of five kilograms or more and use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering. Bams faces a minimum of 10 years to life in federal prison for the drug distribution violation and up to five years for the interstate transportation in aid of racketeering violation. A sentencing date has not been set. Continue reading Drug Conviction in Lufkin Federal Court

GILMER — Upshur County has joined a growing number of East Texas counties under burn bans. According to KETK, the Upshur County Commissioners Court reports the ban was put into place Wednesday. Anyone who violates the order is subject to a large fine. You can go to http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/ for the latest map of counties under burn bans around the state.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Home-state presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz says he’s secured endorsements from 36 Republican Texas state representatives and five state senators. Cruz announced Wednesday that those backers joined fellow Republicans and U.S. Reps. Louie Gohmert, Randy Weber, Michael Burgess, John Culberson, John Ratcliffe, and Brian Babin in formally endorsing his 2016 White House bid. Gohmert, of Tyler, announced his backing of Cruz in June. Tea party-backed Cruz has angered members of the Republican establishment in Washington, but remains popular with grassroots activists and top conservatives back home. Continue reading Cruz Announces Endorsements of Numerous Lawmakers

TYLER — County officials say Blake Duerler was sworn in Wednesday as the newest volunteer Smith County deputy fire marshal. The 26-year-old will follow in the footsteps of several Smith County fire marshals who started their careers as volunteers with the department, according to a county news release. Current Fire Marshal Jay Brooks volunteered as a deputy for nearly eight years before becoming the fire marshal last year. The county’s first and second fire marshals, Charles Shine and Jim Seaton, also served as volunteers. “It’s a good training program for the office,” Brooks said. Duerler will keep his full-time job and will be “on call” for large, complex fire scenes or other events, when it is good to have as many people working as possible, Brooks said.

TYLER — From 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, the City of Tyler Street Department, in conjunction with Oncor Electric, will close the eastbound outside lane of the 200 block of West Southwest Loop 323 to remove a dead tree from in front of B.J’s Brewhouse. The work zone will start at Old Bullard Road and extend east towards South Broadway Avenue. City officials ask that you obey all traffic warning signs. Through traffic on Loop 323 should be prepared to stay left as you approach Old Bullard Road. Officials say aouthbound traffic from Loop 323 to Old Bullard Road will flow as normal.

DALLAS — A “normal, routine” play under Friday night lights put a well-known coach in the hospital, and there’s an update on Mark “Papa” Bachtel. Bachtel is still listed as critical after hitting his head on the ground when players ran over him during a game between Scurry-Rosser and Malakoff High Schools last week. Bachtel’s son is Scurry-Rosser’s head coach and says the players are not to blame. The Dallas Morning News quotes the elder Bachtel’s sons as saying they have seen some progress in his condition — but that head trauma cases can be a waiting game. “Papa” Bachtel’s coaching career includes time at Wills Point and Brownwood high schools, and at Howard Payne University.

NACOGDOCHES (Staff/AP) — A Stephen F. Austin State University professor was arrested on campus Tuesday morning for possession of child pornography. According to KETK, the university’s communications department says an investigation began when images were discovered on a server used by the business college. SFA’s Department of Public Safety worked with other law enforcement agencies to determine the origin and nature of the images. Once it was determined the pictures had been downloaded and disseminated from an SFA computer, officials say they were able to find no evidence linking the illegal images to SFA students in any way. Authorities arrested Dr. Michael Stroup, 52, of Nacogdoches, and charged him with possession of child pornography. Continue reading SFA Professor Arrested for Child Porn

CANTON, S.D. (AP/Staff) – A South Dakota man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. A Lincoln County jury deliberated more than five hours Tuesday in the trial of 29-year-old Joseph Patterson before the verdict was announced. The deliberations followed two weeks of testimony about the October 2013 death of Tyrese Robert Ruffin, the son of Patterson’s girlfriend and the former Palestine football standout. Patterson’s defense maintained that the child choked on a fruit snack. A doctor testified that autopsy photos indicate injuries consistent with a child being given CPR. Prosecutors argued Patterson assaulted Tyrese. Patterson could face a life prison sentence. Peterson has said he found out Tyrese was his son only about two months before the child’s death.

WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse hands out a conditional job offering for its vacant police chief position. According to KETK, city officials say the job is being offered to Ed Morris, a retired Grand Prairie police officer. The candidate has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience, including nine as a police chief with the city of Balch Springs. The job offer still hinges on a background investigation and drug screening. According to the city of Whitehouse, Morris was one of four final candidates and was unanimously selected by a board made up of department heads and local citizens. A start date has not been determined. Previous Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton resigned on July 27. Detective Scott Bradley has been serving as interim police chief. Continue reading Whitehouse Moves Closer to Hiring New Police Chief

TYLER — A Tyler man who was the subject of a Silver Alert was killed in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday Night. According to KETK, the office of Angelina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 reported that Marvin Louis Price, 68, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was traveling southbound on Highway 69 in Pollok when his truck left the roadway, hit a fence, then a utility pole. Price was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Subject of Silver Alert Killed in Wreck

TYLER — A local teen has been picked to be on a popular singing competition on NBC. Chance Peña, 15, belted out “I See Fire” on “The Voice” Tuesday night, before music superstars Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Adam Levine. In the end, the Maroon 5 front man picked the Tyler singer to be on his team for the competition. Continue reading Local Teen Competes on “The Voice”

LONGVIEW — Two professors at Longview’s LeTourneau have been awarded national grants. The school has received a National Science Foundation grant award for $299,820 over three years in support of Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Ben Caldwell’s research on improving engineering creativity and problem solving. Also, LeTourneau University received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant award for $220,913 over three years in support of engineering professor Dr. Seung Kim’s collaborative research with Texas Tech professor Dr. Jungkyu “Jay” Kim to improve early detection of disease. Continue reading Two Grants For LeTourneau Professors

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Police Department is seeking a thief who was looking to “win big” at a local grocery store. According to KETK, police said a person walked into Robert’s Grocery at 1610 N. Main Friday and took several lottery tickets. The thief and his vehicle were caught on video surveillance. If you have any information about this person, contact Sgt. David Burrows at 903-845-2166.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are seeking leads in a shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning and left the victim with what are termed life-threatening injuries. Police were dispatched shortly before 4:00 yesterday morning to the 100 Block of West Pliler Street. When officers arrived they found a man who had been shot in the neck. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Police say the suspect or suspects fled the scene prior to officer arrival. Police say they are following up on information they have received about the shooting. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Longview Police at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867. The tipster can also report an online tip at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org and remain anonymous.

RUSK — A Cherokee County murder suspect is in custody after being found in Tyler. Officials say shortly before 10:00 Tuesday morning, Doye Allen Haney Jr., 26, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in the Monday death of Tony Scott Brazier, 47. Authorities say Haney and another person were at the Hampton Inn on Troup Highway in Tyler and Haney was taken into custody without incident. Investigators began executing a search warrant at the hotel following the arrest. The person who was with Haney at the time of his arrest was detained and questioned by Cherokee County investigators, but no charges were immediately filed against her. Haney was transported to Smith County Jail and held for a short time before being picked up by Cherokee County authorities and brought back to Cherokee County Jail pending arraignment. Continue reading Cherokee County Murder Suspect Arrested in Tyler

EAST TEXAS – The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is holding “Secure Your ID” Day events next month in Longview and Lindale. The first is set for Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at A Shred Ahead/East Texas Shredding 1114 W. Harrison Road in Longview. The other event is Wednesday, October 21, from 9:00 a.m. till noon at the Lindale Chamber of Commerce, 205 S. Main. Individuals can shred up to three bags or boxes of paper per vehicle at no charge. Consumers are encouraged to attend the event and take a key step in identity protection by shredding and properly disposing of their sensitive paper documents, according to a BBB news release. Officials say BBB experts will be on hand offering advice and simple steps everyone can take to prevent ID theft.

EAST TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that 25 schools nominated by the Texas Education Agency have been awarded Blue Ribbon honors for 2015, including three in East Texas. KETK reports those are Grace Community High School in Tyler, Malakoff Elementary School, and Mt. Vernon Intermediate School. Blue Ribbon Schools is a U.S. Department of Education program that recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels.

HALLSVILLE — A Hallsville ISD coach who is on leave from the district has resigned for personal reasons. According to KETK, Dean McDaniel will remain on paid administrative leave until Dec. 31, at which time his contract will expire. McDaniel said he wanted to assure the community his decision to resign is not related to praying with students on Hallsville ISD property. McDaniel has been with Hallsville ISD for 13 years.

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one man dead. According to KETK, officials say Monday at 3:30 a.m., they responded to a call in reference to a gunshot victim in the 4000 block of Farm to Market Road 235. A man identified as Tony Scott Brazier, 47, was found dead in his residence. Witnesses said Brazier had been arguing with a white male over money on the telephone and via text messages. The man then arrived at Brazier’s residence with another white male and white female. The argument continued and Brazier was shot at close range. Doye “Duke” Haney, 26, a female named Crystal, and a male named J.D. are wanted by the sheriff’s office for questioning. No arrests have been made at this time. Contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers with information regarding this crime.

ARP — An Arp police officer has been placed on leave, per department policy, after a Sunday night wreck involving two law enforcement vehicles. According to KETK, Police Chief Craig Robinson says at around 11:00 p.m., the officer was in a pursuit on Highway 135 and Bradford Street when a rollover crash occurred involving a Smith County deputy. While the officer is on leave, authorities will await a toxicology test result, per standard protocol. Smith County Lt. Gary Middleton said the deputy was taken to a local hospital after the vehicle flipped several times. The deputy was treated for minor injuries and released. Middleton said it was not immediately clear how the two vehicles collided. DPS is investigating.

LONGVIEW — A portion of Longview’s Guthrie Trail is temporarily closed for a reconstruction and drainage project between Johnston and Meadowbrook. The work began Monday and is due for completion in thirty days, according to officials. Barricades will be placed in the area to prohibit use while improvements are being made. The construction is being conducted by City of Longview staff.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dallas-based Congressman Jeb Hensarling, whose district includes much of East Texas, now says he will not try to become House speaker after John Boehner’s resignation announcement last week. SMU political science Professor Cal Jillson says Hensarling likely tested the water and found he didn’t have enough support. According to Jillson, “Hensarling already had an important committee chairmanship, of Financial Services, and so he has chosen to…try to…stay as chair of Financial Services rather than risk a long shot.” Jillson says Hensarling angered some in the business wing of the Republican Party when he succeeded in getting the U.S. Import-Export Bank shut down for a time. Jillson does think Dallas Congressman Pete Sessions has a good chance at becoming majority whip

LINDALE — A public hearing will be held at 5:15 p.m. today at the Lindale Rural Water Supply Corp. to discuss funding for water improvements through the Small Towns Environment Program (STEP) within the Texas Department of Agriculture. According to a Smith County news release, the improvements will address the need to increase water line sizes within the Lindale WSC. Smith County is requesting grant funding on behalf of Lindale Rural WSC to assist households located in an area previously served by the Duck Creek WSC. The Duck Creek water system became part of the Lindale Rural WSC two years ago. Since that time, Lindale Rural WSC has spent more than $2 million to upgrade this portion of its system and also completed a STEP project replacing nearly seven miles of water lines. Continue reading Public Hearing Set for Water Improvements in Lindale

VAN – A one-vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20 near Van has killed a Texas College baseball player and left two others injured. The Department of Public Safety reports the wreck occurred shortly after 2:30 Saturday afternoon near the 535 Mile Marker. Killed was Chandlor Allen, 18, of DeSoto. He died late that night at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital. In serious condition is Anferne Allen, also of DeSoto. Both were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the pickup when it blew a tire, left the road and rolled over. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, Kennan Clark, 18, of DeSoto, is listed in stable condition.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of September 28. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Interstate Highway20 concrete repair work continues Monday with work moving to the eastbound outside lane at Mile Markers 546 to 548 in Smith County. Crews will be working from 6:30am to 7:00pm. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when driving through these work zones. Lane closures and brief delays with traffic stopped are possible so look for signage and other traffic control devices to assist you through the work zone. Law enforcement is also providing assistance at these locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects