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MARSHALL – Authorities report a fourth suspect was arrested May 3 and charged with third-degree felony theft of livestock after allegedly helping three other suspects in an East Texas cattle theft case. Twelve head of penned yearling cattle were taken from a Harrison County ranch on Sept. 30, 2014. All four suspects are now under indictment as of April 30 and were arrested on various dates. A joint investigation was conducted by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand and Harrison County Sheriff’s Investigator BJ Fletcher. Continue reading Fourth Suspect Arrested in Harrison County Cattle Theft Case

TROUP — The beloved mayor of an East Texas town has passed away. City of Troup Mayor Bill Lacy suffered a massive heart attack Wednesday at his home. According to KETK, he was with family members when the medical issue occurred. According to a family friend, around 1:00 on Thursday, doctors informed the family Mayor Lacy’s CT scan revealed brain swelling. Doctors then prepared the family to take the 46-year-old off life support.Continue reading Troup Mayor Passes Away Following Heart Attack

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has voted to expand rules governing raw milk to allow producers to sell it at farmers’ markets or customers’ homes. Representative Dan Flynn of Van assured his colleagues Thursday that the bill would not mean a blanket legalization of raw milk sales, which have been closely regulated for decades. Licensed producers are already allowed to sell raw milk directly to consumers at the point of production, usually farms. Flynn’s bill would let those same producers sell milk elsewhere, including at separate businesses they run away from farms, at farmer’s market stands or while visiting the homes of customers. Flynn, a Republican from Van, said it was about protecting small business from overregulation. His bill passed 122-14 and now needs a final, largely ceremonial vote to clear the lower chamber.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is warning East Texas job seekers to be aware of individuals posing as potential employers in an attempt to collect personal information by offering non-existent jobs. The Tyler office of Workforce East Texas has received 35 to 40 calls from job seekers who have received unsolicited text messages from bogus employers using the names of established businesses to interview job candidates via online chats in an attempt to retrieve personally identifiable information. This includes bank account information. BBB is warning job seekers about job offers which promise what may appear to be a lucrative job opportunity, but is nothing more than a sophisticated scam. “We always advise consumers to do their homework before making a purchase”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “They should likewise do so during a job search.” Continue reading Warning About Bogus Employer Scam

TROUP — The mayor of Troup, Bill Lacy, is hospitalized in Tyler after suffering a heart attack at his home Wednesday afternoon. KETK reported late Thursday afternoon that its news staff had been told doctors had prepared the family to take the mayor off life support. We will provide updates on his condition as they are made available. Lacy had been planning on hosting his first prayer breakfast Thursday morning. It was still held at the First Baptist Church in Troup. The branch manager of Kilgore National Bank in Troup, Lacy was first elected mayor in May of last year.

TYLER — Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics Thursday announced plans to construct and operate a new community hospital in Tyler, expanding access to high-quality health care across East Texas. According to a news release, the new hospital will be located on the northwest corner of Cumberland Road and Broadway Avenue in south Tyler. Construction on the initial three-story, multi-million-dollar hospital is expected to begin by the end of the year with a projected opening in the third quarter of 2016. The initiative is expected to create more than 100 permanent jobs in the Tyler area. Continue reading TMF Announces Pact with Emerus, Construction of New Hospital

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – The Texas Senate has approved a limited medical marijuana bill presented by Tyler GOP Senator Kevin Eltife, authorizing the sale to eligible patients of Cannabidiol oil. The upper chamber voted 26-5 to support limited legalization of what’s also known as CBD oil. It’s an extract from the marijuana plant that doesn’t produce the high associated with other parts. The oil is used to help control seizures associated with intractable epilepsy, which advocates say affects about 150,000 Texans. Eltife’s measure now heads to the House. A companion House bill has cleared committee, making it potentially eligible for a lower chamber floor vote. Texas hasn’t legalized marijuana in any form, even for medical reasons. So, while a small step, passage of CBD oil exceptions would be unprecedented — should they eventually clear the Legislature.

TYLER — Hundreds attended Tyler’s 24th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Harvey Convention Center Thursday, coinciding with the National Day of Prayer. The event included prayers for the medical community, non-profits, the educational system, the military, first responders, Tyler, and the nation. Music, videos, and other ceremonial touches were also part of the observance. Mayor Martin Heines introduced various participants and offered some thoughts of his own. Heines said, “Let us go forth from today refreshed, excited about our faith — but excited about what we can do in this community to make someone else’s life better.” Also on the docket yesterday was a “come and go” prayer on the downtown square from 9:00am till 9:00pm. .

LONGVIEW — A Mexican man wanted for the 2008 murder of his cousin in Longview has been arrested in Laredo. According to the Longview Police Department, Ramon Berumen-Campa, 28, of Mexico, was arrested in a immigration sweep by United States Border Patrol Agents. According to KETK, on June 29, 2008, Berumen-Campa shot and killed Eduardo Quezada, 25, at Quezada’s home in the 700 block of Travis Street before burning the house down. Continue reading Fugitive Wanted in Cousin’s Murder Arrested

WHITE OAK — The White Oak Police Department is investigating allegations concerning a White Oak Independent School District employee. According to KETK, police were contacted April 27 concerning reports that an employee was sending inappropriate text messages to a middle school student. Interviews are being conducted and the investigation is ongoing. The exact nature of the text messages has not been revealed. Continue reading School Employee Investigated for Alleged Relations with Student

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — A proposal seeking full legalization of marijuana on religious grounds has cleared an unlikely legislative hurdle. Republican state Representative David Simpson of Longview argues marijuana comes from God and therefore shouldn’t be banned by government. The tea party stalwart has repeatedly championed what he calls the “Christian case” for legalization. Simpson’s bill languished for weeks before the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Three committee Democrats and two Republicans surprisingly voted to support it Wednesday, though, and it passed 5-2. That makes Simpson’s bill eligible for consideration to reach the House floor before the legislative session ends June 1, although that’s still highly unlikely. State law currently makes no exceptions even for medical marijuana, making outright legalization unthinkable. Still, advocates hailed the committee vote as “unprecedented progress” for Texas marijuana rights.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The head of Texas’ law enforcement agency called Snoop Dogg a “dope smoking cop hater” in an email before reprimanding a state trooper who posed for a picture with the rapper. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw wrote in a March email that Trooper Billy Spears of Gilmer “must not understand” he was being lampooned in the picture that was taken during the South by Southwest music festival. Spears is now suing DPS over being disciplined. His attorney, Ty Clevenger, said Wednesday he obtained the emails through an open records request. DPS spokesman Tom Vinger confirmed the authenticity of the email. He said the agency holds employees to high standards of conduct and judgment. Snoop Dogg posted the picture to Instagram with the comment “Me n my deputy dogg.”

LONGVIEW — The Dean of the School of Aeronautical Science at LeTourneau University, Fred Ritchey, will testify today before the Texas Senate Committee on Higher Education in Austin. He will testify in support of H.B. 2167 by Representative Wayne Smith of Baytown and State Senator Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, relating to certain images captured by unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV). Currently, public institutions of higher education in Texas have the authority to operate UAV’s and capture images for research purposes. Continue reading LETU Avaiation Dean to Testify in Austin

RUSK — Farm Road 768 north of Rusk in Cherokee County has been closed at the bridge for emergency repairs. The closure is necessitated by recent rains that caused damage to pipes and slopes. Repairs are anticipated to take about two weeks to complete.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has arrested a woman in connection with a shooting at a local park. KETK reports officers responded around 12:23 Wednesday afternoon to the West End Park, at 1600 W. Rusk Street, on reports of gunfire. When authorities made it to the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound. Officials say he was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested Maurine Parker, who is in her 50s, and charged her with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was booked into the Harrison County Jail. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to the incident should call the Marshall Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at (903) 935-4540 or call Crime Stoppers at (903) 935-9969.

AUSTIN — A University of Texas System health care leader, who recently returned to Tyler, received the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Distinguished Service Award Wednesday for his leadership in improving birth outcomes in Texas. According to a UT System news release, David Lakey, M.D., associate vice chancellor for population health, was honored by ACOG at its annual meeting this week in San Francisco. Lakey, the former Texas health commissioner who joined the UT System this year, holds a dual role as the senior vice president for population health at UT Health Northeast in Tyler. Officials say the award is presented to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to ACOG in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, government, research, teaching or direct patient care. Continue reading UT Health Northeast’s Lakey Receives Distinguished Service Award

LONGVIEW — Two trucks were cleared from Interstate Highway 20 in Longview by around midday yesterday, and the highway returned to normal traffic flow following a Wednesday morning wreck and chemical spill. TxDOT first reported the accident shortly after 7:00 a.m. I-20 eastbound had been down to one lane from Estes Parkway to Eastman Road after the two 18-wheelers collided. The right lane had to be closed, with all traffic using the left lane while the incident was addressed. The Longview police and fire departments worked the crash, with TxDOT taking over traffic control. A hazardous materials team was called in to clean up the chemical spill.

CANTON — Law enforcement officials have made an arrest in connection with a string of fires in Canton. KETK reports several agencies were involved in the arrest of Judy Jackson Dalton, 65, of Canton, on Tuesday. She was taken into custody by the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal, the Canton Police Department, and agents from ATF at her home on Slaughter Street at around 3:30 p.m. Authorities believe Dalton is responsible for a fire on the night of May 2 in the 300 block of Slaughter Street. Two people were inside the home when the blaze was set. Continue reading Woman Arrested in Canton Fires

KILGORE — Two East Texans have been arrested after allegedly running a mobile meth lab. KETK reports Kilgore police investigators went to 605 Kay Street around 10:25 Tuesday morning after receiving a tip of a possible drug lab operation in an RV. Upon arrival police located an RV parked on the street. Two occupants of the RV were identified as Adam Waddell (pictured), 32, and Aundrea Waddell, 29, both of White Oak. After initial investigation and a utilization of KPD K9 Jinto by Officer BJ Burns, a warrant was obtained to search the RV. Continue reading East Texans Arrested for Alleged Mobile Meth Lab

WASHINGTON — Ever since Jade Helm 15 was announced, some concern has surfaced in Texas about the military exercise. The US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) announced on March 24 that its members will train with other US Armed Forces units for one month, starting in mid-July. It is a multi-state exercise. One of those states is Texas. Governor Greg Abbott recently ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor the operation. Some claim the exercise is really a plan to take over Texas. Among those expressing some concern about the military operation is Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert. Continue reading Congressman Gohmert on Jade Helm 15

AUSTIN — In an ongoing effort to improve safety and relieve congestion, the Texas Transportation Commission has approved three construction contracts for the Tyler District. Work on the projects, which total $43.5 million, will start this summer. One of the projects is to repair and resurface a portion of Loop 323 in Tyler. The $3.3million job was awarded to local contractor, Reynolds & Kay, LTD. It stretches 3.5 miles from American Legion Road south to Commerce Street. The anticipated start date for this project is in June. Continue reading Three Area Road Projects Get State Funding

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are currently on the lookout for two suspects with outstanding warrants. The first suspect is Francisco Antonio Marquez Baldazo, described as a Hispanic male, 2, 6’1”, 125 lbs., with short black hair. He was recently seen in the Tyler area in a white passenger car. He has also been known to drive a maroon Ford Explorer. Baldazo is wanted in connection with an aggravated sexual assault which was reported Thursday in northeastern Smith County. Continue reading Smith County Deputies Looking for Two Suspects in Local Crimes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report detailing the events that led up to an East Texas pilot crashing his plane in Gordonville, Texas. According to KETK, FlightAware logs indicated a plane left from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport just before 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30, en route to the Gordonville Airport. The fixed wing single-engine plane crashed just after 4:00 p.m. near the Texas-Oklahoma border. A witness at the scene says the plane hit a house and then crashed in the yard. The collision caused the house to then catch fire. The pilot, Robert Gentry, 61, of Tyler; Karen Christian, 51; and two minors identified as Gentry’s daughter, Annie, 14, and Colin Howell, 17, were on board at the time of the crash. The full report released by the NTSB can be read below: Continue reading Preliminary Report Released Detailing Tylerite’s March Plane Crash

GREGG COUNTY — Deputies are investigating a reported oilfield theft in Gregg County. According to KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says around 3:10 Tuesday morning, authorities responded to a theft and criminal mischief report at an oilfield location off FM 2012 near Highway 31. An oilfield operator told law enforcement he saw a person stealing copper wire and damage equipment at the site. As the bandit was leaving the area, he dropped the trailer he was pulling and rammed the side of the operator’s truck, causing some damage to the vehicle, according to officials. The operator followed the suspect to Rusk County before losing the man on County Road 138. Continue reading Authorities: Thief Caught Stealing from Oilfield but Gets Away

TYLER — Bishop Edmond Carmody has announced his retirement as vicar general of the Diocese of Tyler. According to the diocese website, Bishop Carmody served as Bishop Joseph E. Strickland’s vicar general and chaplain of Bishop Gorman Schools since December of 2012. “The clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Tyler were extraordinarily blessed to have Bishop Carmody serve as vicar general for the past two years,” Bishop Strickland said. “His tireless efforts, especially in the areas of Catholic education and our Bishop’s Annual Appeal, were of great and lasting benefit to the people of the 33 counties of the diocese.” Continue reading Bishop Carmody Announces Retirement as Vicar General

TYLER — One person is dead and three injured in a Tuesday morning collision in Tyler. Shortly after 7:15 yesterday morning, Tyler police, fire, and EMS personnel responded to the two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 69 North near County Road 427. Accident investigators continue to determine why both vehicles struck each other in the turn lane. The driver of a 1995 Buick Century who was traveling northbound was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Quincy Beavers. He was identified as Tyler Steven Galpin, 19, of Whitehouse. The driver and passengers of a 2005 Nissan Titan, who were traveling southbound, were identified as Monica Cook, 45, of Lindale, and her two daughters, Kathin Cook, 16, and Paige Cook, 11. All three were transported to a local hospital by EMS.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man arrested last week for allegedly soliciting a minor, may have victimized other children. Longview police are encouraging anyone with additional information about Joey Huddleston, to contact Detective Audrey Wright at 903-237-1106. Huddleston, 34, a former Longview middle school employee, was arrested last week after being accused of soliciting a minor through the internet and text messages. During their investigation, officers learned other children may have been involved. Continue reading Other Kids May Have Been Victims of Longview Suspect

GREGG COUNTY — The body of a Weatherford man has been recovered from the Sabine River after his vehicle ran off the road and into the river. KETK reports the wreck happened around 6 p.m. on Sunday off I-20 near mile marker 593 in Gregg County. Officers say after several hours, a dive team was able to recover the body of Dwayne Obermeyer, 65. Troopers say the accident involved two eastbound pickup trucks. According to officials, Obermeyer was trying to pass the other driver when the back of his truck clipped another vehicle. Obermeyer’s truck then hit a guardrail before leaving the highway.