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WHITEHOUSE — Two Whitehouse police officers under investigation were reinstated and a third fired on Friday. According to KETK, Fire Chief and Acting Public Information Officer Madison Johnson says Officer Shawn Johnson was offered the option Thursday to resign or be terminated. The officer had until 9 a.m. to respond, but neither he nor his attorney contacted the city with a decision. He was terminated Friday afternoon. The fire chief also says two officers were brought back to the force, Captain Curtis Dinger and Detective Scott Bradley. Continue reading Two Whitehouse Officers Reinstated, One Fired

NACOGDOCHES — Law enforcement officials have released the names of two people who died in a Thursday murder-suicide in Nacogdoches County. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges says Ira Burgay, 81, shot and killed Dawn Lang, 72, then turned the gun on himself. The two had lived together since 2000. Authorities believe the crime was spontaneous. It’s not yet known what led to the shooting. Shortly after 4 p.m., a 911 caller reported receiving a text from a man on FM 138 near Garrison, who claimed he had killed his wife, according to Bridges. Responding deputies found two people dead when they entered the home’s living room. Justice of the Peace Dorothy Thompson sent the bodies for autopsy. The deaths remain under investigation.

JACKSONVILLE — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Monday, July 20, at 12 noon in Cherokee County. KETK reports the center is for homeowners, renters, and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19. Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community will be on hand. Officials say the specialists will answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish. Continue reading Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Jacksonville

QUITMAN — A Quitman mother accused of murdering her two children was indicted on two counts of injury to a child on Thursday. KETK reports the new charges have an offense date listed as January 1, 2013. It’s not known what the incident involved. Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels is already facing two counts of capital murder. Those charges were leveled after Quitman police responded last July to reports of two young children who were not breathing and would not wake up. When authorities arrived, they found two girls, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. It was determined the children died from blunt force trauma. The bond set on the injury to a child is $50,000 for each charge.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials have identified the victims of a Friday morning Smith County crash. According to KETK, the deceased was Brodi Marsh, 20, of Lindale, and the injured victim is Jennifer Hurd, 36, of Tyler. According to the preliminary DPS report, Hurd was traveling west along FM 2767 and tried to turn left onto FM 850. Hurd turned in front of a City of Tyler solid waste truck and was hit. Hurd was taken to a local hospital, but Marsh died at the scene. The driver of the city truck was not immediately identified.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety after a wreck that left one person dead. According to KETK, it happened in the 3500 block of Farm to Market Road 2767. Officials said a City of Tyler solid waste truck collided with a car. Details are limited at this time.

GILMER — An Upshur County man has been arrested by Gregg County authorities on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Being held on a $150,000 bond is Jacob Levi Boaze, 44, of Diana. He is said to have assaulted an 8 year old boy numerous times over a one year period. The last time it was said to have occured was back in January. Boaze was arrested Wednesday night on Mary Lawson Road. He was later turned over to Upshur County authorities and booked into the Upshur County Jail early Thursday morning.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder. The Longview News-Journal reports Jason Stevens Rand was sentenced for his role in the 2013 death of James Cherry Jr., 28. Also charged in Cherry’s death is Oriel Alexander, who has been released from jail on bond.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, the Longview Police Department, and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office announce this year’s National Night Out (NNO) event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6. Authorities say all Longview and Gregg County residents are encouraged to participate by hosting an NNO party in their neighborhood. The parties are designed to promote neighborhood alliances that strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas, according to officials. If you can’t host a party, you’re asked to find one in your area to attend. A kickoff event is set for September 1. Go to http://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=183 to learn more.

QUITMAN — A Mineola man has been indicted in Wood County on twelve counts of theft of property from a grave. KETK reports Chad Hennessey is accused of stealing brass headstone markers — many from deceased veterans — in mid-April. Authorities became aware of the thefts when they were tipped off that a man had been stealing brass from two cemeteries. Evidence eventually led to Hennessey, who was arrested on a parole warrant. Officials said 11 of the 12 markers belonged to veterans. The suspect’s bonds total $300,000.

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing teenager. KETK reports Cheyenne Cantrell is a white 15-year-old female who stands 5′ 4″-5’7″ tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds. She has strawberry-blonde hair with blue eyes and has a a scar above her right knee and on her left arm from surgical pins. She was last seen Saturday at approximately 3:00 a.m., wearing a white tank top with a black overshirt, faded denim shorts, and brown square-toe cowboy boots. She has ties to Terrell, Van, Ben Wheeler, Tyler and Henderson. Cantrell was last seen with three males from the Ben Wheeler area whose names will not be released at this time, according to officials. Any information on her whereabouts should be forwarded to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office 903-567-4133.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a drive-by shooting. Police received a 9-1-1 call on Patton Drive just before 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. A car drove by and shots were fired at a house. The homeowner is said to have stepped outside and fired shots at the driver. No one was injured. When police arrived, both shooters had left the scene.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is holding an open house today to update the public on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The event is set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tyler Development Center, 423 W. Ferguson St. in Tyler. The Tyler Area MPO is responsible for transportation planning within the Tyler Metropolitan Area, which includes Tyler, Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Whitehouse and Bullard. The purpose of the TIP is to list the transportation improvements that are scheduled to be implemented during the 2015 through the 2018 fiscal years, according to a news release. Continue reading Open House Today on Transportation Improvement Program Update

LONGVIEW — Longview police say they’re investigating several reports of two white males presenting themselves to elderly people as city of Longview employees — including one case that led to a theft. Police say in two cases the citizens did not believe them and denied them access to their homes. However, in the third case the victim allowed the men to come in and “inspect” her home. According to police, one of the suspects distracted the victim, allowing the second suspect to take valuables from the victim. The suspects are said to be driving a gray or tan Chevrolet truck. If you have any information on the possible identity of either suspect call Longview Police at 903-237-1199. Continue reading Items Taken from Home by Men Posing as City Employees

WHITEHOUSE — With the close of a third-party investigation into a May incident involving several Whitehouse city employees, a timeline has developed for actions expected to be taken this week. According to KETK, City Attorney Keith Mayo says Interim City Manager Stefani Wright will make a decision by Friday on what action to take in regard to Police Chief Craig Shelton’s job. Mayo added he believes the city has enough evidence to take action prior to the outcome of a criminal investigation by the Texas Rangers. Continue reading Timeline Develops for Actions Regarding Whitehouse City Employees

ANGELINA COUNTY — Several suspected drug dealers are arrested on numerous charges. Officials said on July 14, a combined task force, including federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, began executing arrest warrants for numerous suspects indicted after a two year investigation into trafficking methamphetamine in East Texas. Five individuals were arrested as a result. Ruben Enriquez, 42, Agustin Enriquez, 48, and Alonso Enriquez, 33 all of Diboll, along with Jorge Enriquez, 33 and Douglas Wayne Williams, 40, both of Lufkin were indicted on federal drug and firearms violations. Continue reading Five East Texans Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges

MARSHALL — Government representatives are in another area of Texas this week offering help to those affected by storms. Both FEMA and the Small Business Administration will be in Marshall and Henderson this week, offering assistance to East Texans affected by recent tornadoes and floods. David Reetz of the Small Business Administration says homeowners, business owners, faith-based organizations, and renters may all be eligible for aid, and there are a variety of grants and loans available. According to Reetz, “It doesn’t cost anything to come in and check and see. It’s something that people should come in and ask.” Check with fema.gov for the deadline to apply for disaster aid in your county.

MT. ENTERPRISE — The woman and teenager at the center of an East Texas Amber Alert have been found. KETK reports multiple agencies were searching southern Rusk County and Northern Nacogdoches County for Tanner B. Jordan, 15, and Katie Miller, 34, the woman suspected of taking him. Rusk County Sergeant David Roberts said an oil worker came upon an oilfield site where he spotted the white Dodge truck described in the alert. The worker called the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office to report the vehicle. When officials arrived at the scene, they found Miller and Jordan in the truck. Jordan was taken to the NCSO, while Miller, who was placed in handcuffs, was complaining of a leg injury. Authorities called EMS to the scene to evaluate Miller before she was taken into custody. Continue reading East Texas Teen Found; Amber Alert Canceled

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners have set two public hearings to gather community input as the county considers implementing Election Day voting centers in November. According to a news release, the centers would allow residents to vote at any polling location on Election Day instead of being restricted to their precinct. On Tuesday, July 28, public hearings will be held at 9:30 a.m. during Commissioners Court and at 6:30 p.m. at the R. B. Hubbard Center (The Hub), 304 E. Ferguson — though only one public hearing is required. The elections department will then send in its application to participate in the state’s Countywide Polling Location Program. Continue reading Commissioners Court Sets Public Hearings on Voting Centers

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding Jerry Wayne Potter, 61. Officials say he stands about 5 feet 4 inches and weighs about 120 pounds. Relatives last heard from him in April. If you have any information regarding Potter’s whereabouts, please contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation Tuesday announced the discovery of archeological sites along the U.S. 175 expansion project in Anderson and Henderson counties that officials say contain artifacts dating to the 1400s. The findings suggest that the locations could have been a temporary Native American settlement, according to a TxDOT news release. Continue reading Archeologists Uncover Ancient Artifacts on Project Route

KILGORE — Kilgore College has eliminated close to 40 positions in several departments. According to KETK, it comes after the state cut more that $1 million from their budget. College employees say on top of receiving less money from the state, the school has also seen a decline in student enrollment. Due to the shortage in students, departments have had to cut back on the amount of classes offered.

MARSHALL — City commissioners in Marshall passed a resolution naming Marshall a “no colors, no labels” city. Marshall’s Police Chief has the support of the city commission in his new initiative dubbed “no colors, no labels.” Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa plans to continue the social media campaign already in place, but also add a grassroots effort of educating the community about the different cultures in the community. Campa said this is a pivotal movement for Marshall, a community that has a rich history in the racial turmoil of the 1950s and 60s.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse city officials are scheduled to receive today a report on the investigation of some city employees, including the police chief and city manager. The investigation was conducted by Smith County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Mark Simmons. The report will then be viewed by city council members. KETK reports Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton (pictured) expects to give his an answer to an ultimatum made by Interim City Manager Stefani Wright on Tuesday, according to his attorney, David Dobbs. An extra day was requested by Shelton’s attorney to look over the resignation terms. Continue reading Report Due Today on Whitehouse City Employees

LONGVIEW — Bond has been increased for a Longview woman in connection with the wreck that killed her son. Dekeshia Charity Thomas, 24, of Longview, had been free on a $50,000 bond on an intoxication assault charge. She was arrested in February after her SUV hit another vehicle and a tree and rolled over. A few weeks later, her 8 week old son, Terrence Demarcus Crayton, died in a Dallas hospital from injuries received the wreck. Investigators say the child was not in child safety restraints. Thomas was brought back to 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles’ courtroom, accused of failing to live up to a condition of her bond. The judge set a new bond of $200,000, and she is back in the Gregg County Jail.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A shooting in Henderson County has left one person injured and one in custody. Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is Rickey Murry, 55, of Mabank. He remains in the Henderson County Jail on a $25,000 bond. The victim was flown to a Tyler hospital treatment. The victim’s name has not been released. Henderson County Authorities tell KETK the shooting took place on the 200 block of Longhorn Road in the Cherokee Shores subdivision. Deputies drove to the home, but could not locate the suspect. They eventually were able to reach Murry by phone and he returned to the location.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s litter index has gone up slightly. A team of community, business and government representatives conducted a visual analysis of the city. This year’s scorers were: Rhodora Bivens, David Simmons, Billy Lee, Jan Simmons, Dionne Lott, Mike Wigington and Kim Droege. They used a scoring system ranging from 1-4, with “1” being the best to “4” being the worst. The Litter Index for Longview rated 1.75. This number is slightly higher than last year when the number was 1.68. Continue reading Longview’s Litter Index Moves Up