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TYLER – The latest major exhibition in the Tyler Museum of Art’s busy summer and fall season highlights the museum’s milestones in building its Permanent Collection – while celebrating its achievements in cultivating the talents and reputations of some of the state’s most noteworthy artists of the modern era. That’s according to a TMA news release about Contemporary Texas: Selections from the Permanent Collection, which opened to the public Sunday and continues through Nov. 30 in the TMA’s North Gallery. Admission is free. Continue reading Contemporary Texas Shines Spotlight on TMA’s Permanent Collection

LUFKIN (AP) – A 38-year-old Lufkin man is jailed under $75,000 bond for what police say is his second assault with an ax in eight months. Authorities say James Carl Garrett Jr. is held on an aggravated robbery charge for the July 13 attack. An arrest affidavit examined by The Lufkin Daily News says Garrett was found hiding in a bathroom closet after the victim called police. Documents say Garrett contended he was acting in self-defense. The victim told police he picked up a woman at a club and was confronted by Garrett when he returned her home the next morning. The police report says the victim received hospital treatment for a neck wound. Records show Garrett was arrested in December for aggravated assault for threatening his girlfriend with an ax.

KILGORE — An East Texas man has been killed in a one-vehicle crash near Kilgore. According to the Kilgore Police Department, shortly before 2:30 Thursday morning, officers responded to a crash on Farm Road 2087 near Farm Road 349. According to KETK, authorities determined the accident was outside city limits and turned the investigation over to DPS. Troopers discovered a truck driven by Juan Rene Marcott, 41, of Henderson, wrecked after his pickup slid on the slick road and hit a culvert, then rolled several times. Marcott was thrown from the vehicle during the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. No other passengers were inside the vehicle. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the crash.

MARSHALL — A man accused of attacking multiple people at a Marshall Walmart with a hatchet has been found competent to stand trial. According to KETK, that information is included in a report filed July 8 by Dr. Barbara Beadles, a competency program staff psychiatrist at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon. The suspect is Christopher Lynn Hamilton, 28, of Crawford, Arkansas. According to a trial competency evaluation document, Hamilton understood the possible outcomes following his competency test: going back to jail and trial or going back to the hospital. Hamilton had been ordered March 31 to Rusk State Hospital, where he was to spend no more than 120 days. According to the Marshall News Messenger, that order was based on a psychologist’s opinion that Hamilton wasn’t competent to stand trial. Continue reading Hatchet Slinging Suspect Found Competent to Stand Trial

TYLER — Authorities say the arrest of 31-year-old Dustin Berry has cleared four area burglaries. According to a Smith County Sheriff’s Office news release, detectives received information Tuesday from a Smith County resident regarding over $21,000 worth of tools and wires which had been taken when his business was burglarized on July 18 in Flint. He was told that it was a former employee who had stolen his property and that some of that property could now be found in the Pinecrest mobile home park on FM 2868 in Flint. That same day, another Smith County resident contacted SCSO detectives advising she also had information that her stolen property was located in the Pinecrest mobile home park. This victim’s home had been burglarized on Wednesday, July 23, and a John Deere riding lawnmower had been stolen. Continue reading SCSO: Four Burglaries Cleared with One Arrest

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel announced Friday that he will be resigning after accepting a position as an assistant city manager in Dallas. “We are grateful to Mark for his 10 years of service to the City of Tyler. Mark and our entire City staff have worked diligently to make Tyler the standard for local government,” said Mayor Martin Heines. “We wish him the best of success in his future endeavors. Our city council will move forward with the appointment of an interim city manager on Aug. 13. Our permanent replacement search will focus on employing a city manager who shares our beliefs in a conservative business-like approach to City government.” Continue reading Tyler’s City Manager Heading to Dallas

NEW SUMMERFIELD — The New Summerfield Police Department received confirmation Friday from the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas that the body discovered July 29 near Reklaw was that of Javier Jimenez. According to KETK, police say Jimenez was positively identified utilizing finger prints on file. The Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as homicide due to gunshot wound. Officials say there is no further information to release at this time and the investigation is continuing with the assistance of several allied agencies. Continue reading Body Found in Cherokee County Identified

NOONDAY – A reward has been posted in connection with the June robbery of Austin Bank in Noonday. In cooperation with the Texas Bankers Association and other sources a $15,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600. Continue reading Reward Offered in Austin Bank Heist

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith gets some recognition from a statewide group of peers. According to a news release, Smith, along with several officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, attended the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas 136th Annual Training Conference and Expo in San Antonio from July 26-29. At the awards dinner Tuesday evening, SAT President and Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano presented the President’s Award to Smith for what were termed his outstanding support and cooperation with the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and his commitment to unselfish service to the people of the State of Texas. The award states that Sheriff Smith is recognized by his peers as an honorable person and an outstanding citizen.

Cerliano cited Smith’s many accomplishments throughout his almost 40 years in law enforcement, including his assistance in obtaining a confession from a shooter who had killed four people during a robbery in 1994. That confession led to the recovery of essential evidence allowing the suspect to be convicted, according to the release. Cerliano gave many examples of Smith’s willingness to assist other agencies in their investigations as well as mentor law enforcement officers in case investigations and drafting search and arrest warrants.

QUITMAN (Staff/AP) — The deaths of two young girls in Quitman have been ruled homicides. KETK reported Thursday it has obtained the preliminary autopsy report on the case. According to Wood County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Alice Tomerlin, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, died from blunt force injuries and Natalye Price, 1, died from blunt force trauma to her head and trunk. Thomas Wayne Liles (pictured), 19, of Quitman, remains jailed on $25,000 bond for allegedly tampering with the case. Continue reading Deaths of Girls in Quitman Ruled Homicides

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler has accepted $150,000 in grant monies through the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance Series XIV-B to provide emergency financial assistance to prevent and end homelessness for veterans and their families. The effort is known as the Emergency Veterans’ Assistance Program. Salvation Army officials note that according to current national statistics, veterans are twice as likely as any other American to become homeless. The unemployment rate for recently discharged veterans is nearly 3 times the national average. In East Texas, according to the Salvation Army’s most recent Community Needs Assessment conducted by the East Texas Human Needs Network, 37% of veterans interviewed were living below the poverty line. 34% were living in temporary housing, and 8% were homeless. 71% stated that they were struggling financially. Continue reading Salvation Army Announces Emergency Veterans’ Assistance Program

LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department is investigating after Miranda Lambert’s face was vandalized on a billboard. KETK reports police are searching for the person or people responsible for drawing a mustache on the face. The billboard is located on Highway 69 just north of Lindale and is used to welcome visitors to the singer’s hometown. If you have any information regarding the crime, contact the Lindale Police Department.

LONGVIEW — Longview police issue another cautionary note on a problem we’re hearing too much about this summer: children left in hot cars. Police say safety should be first and foremost when it comes to children riding in child safety seats. Drivers should do whatever it takes to be reminded that there is a child in the back seat of the car, according to a news release. Police say parents should also lock their vehicles when they are parked in the driveways of their homes. Continue reading Police: Children Dying in Cars from Heatstrokes Is Preventable

TYLER — A suspect who was allegedly involved in passing counterfeit $50 bills in Tyler has been arrested on two counts of forgery of money. Police say she is identified as Jalecia Ann White, 25, of Tyler. Judge Jack Skeen set her bond at $100,000 on each charge. This is still an ongoing investigation, according to authorities. Officers had responded to Dairy Queen and Family Dollar on Gentry Parkway July 24 in reference to a suspect passing the bills. Police put out the word on the case this past Tuesday and later said they’d identified her, voicing appreciation for tips provided by the public.

CHAPEL HILL Authorities are looking for a man with reported ties to the Aryan Brotherhood who they say escaped deputies serving a warrant on him Wednesday. The suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous. KETK reports Charles Ray Griffith, 24, was wanted for possession of drugs and lives in the Chapel Hill Area. At around 5 p.m., the man ran from deputies who were attempting to arrest him at a home in the 15900 block of Dry Creek Road, according to officials. A K-9 unit was called in to assist in the search, but authorities say they lost track of Griffith after he headed into a nearby creek. Contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 or the Pct. 4 Constable’s office at 903-590-4871 if you have information on Griffith.

WINONA — We’re hearing more about the resignation of Dede Stroud as Winona Mayor after less than three months in office. Stroud tells KETK she was harassed and neglected, and couldn’t handle it any longer. She says she knew it would be difficult but that she didn’t anticipate “a day-to-day battle on the inside of the City Hall in order to get control of the situation” going on in the city. She added, “The Council stripped me of all of my duties other than signing checks and preparing the budget.” Stroud also says, “I feel like I let everyone down, and I’m sorry. I did not turn my back on the community. I did turn my back on the council members and the people at City Hall” because “I refuse to let them treat me like that.” Mayor Pro Tem Earl Brown will fill in as mayor for the time being. The Council will meet this evening to discuss the resignation and the future of the financially troubled city.

HAWKINS — The Hawkins mayor says everything said about him in an arrest affidavit is not true, except for the fact that he was at the residence where the alleged violation took place. Will Rogers is accused of overstepping his duties as mayor and threatening to fine a resident $500 if she didn’t cut her grass. Rogers tells KETK he never threatened to write the woman a ticket or impose a fine about her grass. He says he wanted to talk to her about her concession stand. Rogers claims it’s a nuisance and people were complaining. That stand could have also cost the woman $500 a day. Continue reading Hawkins Mayor Tells His Side of the Story

REKLAW — Cherokee County law enforcement is working to determine the identity of a body found Tuesday near Reklaw. KETK reports that according to the New Summerfield Police Department, on July 24, officials began a missing person investigation for Javier Jimenez. He was reported missing by his wife the day before. Jimenez left his house for work in Jacksonville at 7:00am, but he never returned home. On July 29, a truck was found abandoned on a piece of land in the Reklaw area. Deputies and police officers responded to the scene and found a body in the bed of the vehicle. Continue reading Body Found in Cherokee County

HENDERSON — Authorities have released the results of a blood alcohol test for an East Texas woman who reportedly killed a mother and her two children in a July 10 drunken-driving accident. KETK reports that according to Rusk County officials, the blood alcohol content level for Shelby Taylor, 22, of Henderson, was .16, twice the legal limit, at the time of the crash. Taylor remains free on $501,000 bond. She was facing a 2013 DWI accusation, among other charges, before the fatal crash occurred. The Rusk County District Attorney’s Office has filed three manslaughter charges against her for the deaths of Rudra Patel, 5, Trisha Patel, 12, and Heena Patel, 43. The father, Ketanbhai Patel, 42, survived the crash. Continue reading Blood Alcohol Results Released in Triple Fatality

LONGVIEW — Today’s the deadline for Longview residents to share their thoughts and ideas about the future of parks in the city. As part of the Longview Comprehensive Plan, the city is updating the 5-year Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. Residents can give their input by completing a survey. According to Director of Community Services Laura Hill, “This Master Plan is very important to our staff members, park board members, and city council because it informs us of citizens’ priorities. For instance, over the last several years, we have seen a major improvement to our walking trails, which was a direct result of residents telling us those were a top priority.” You can go to
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LongviewParks for the survey.

TYLER — Wednesday’s ribbon cutting has officially opened the Fair Plaza Parking Garage at 208 South College Ave. in Tyler. “The garage will be an integral part of the entry point into downtown,” said City Engineer Carter Delleney. “We are particularly pleased that the façade will be in keeping with the look, history and feel of our downtown.” The garage’s exterior design incorporates architectural elements from the Blackstone Hotel, Tyler Commercial College, the clock tower from the historic Smith County Courthouse, and other former landmark buildings. Continue reading Fair Plaza Garage Officially Opens

LONGVIEW – Gregg County deputies are continuing to investigate the death of a Longview man. According to KETK, preliminary autopsy results ruled out foul play as a factor in the death of Donald Merrills, 40. His body was found just after 6:00 Monday evening outside a residence on Rebecca Circle near his home. The Sheriff’s Department says Merrills is known to have had mental issues. He was found wearing multiple layers of clothing and a fleece lined coat. Toxicology results are pending.

BLOOMBURG (AP) — An East Texas sheriff’s deputy was trying to serve assault warrants issued more than 500 miles away in Ward County when he fatally shot the suspect. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday said Deputy Johnny Bailey continues to recover from minor injuries suffered in the incident near Bloomburg. Cass County Chief Deputy Roy Barker says Bailey was treated for unspecified injuries following Sunday’s shooting that left Charles Alver Jones Jr. dead. Autopsy results are pending. Jones was from the Bloomburg area. Continue reading Texas Deputy Injured in Fatal Shooting of Suspect

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The number of troubled charter schools that are forced to close is accelerating because of a new state law that makes it easier to shutter poorly performing ones. The Texas Education Agency has revoked the license of five charter schools since February. The Dallas Morning News reports that three others, including Tyler’s Azleway Charter School and one co-founded by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, have appeals pending. If the three appeals are unsuccessful, it would result in the most revocations of a charter’s license in a single year. A recent ruling by a state appeals court determined the TEA can still revoke the license of a school while court action is pending. The law enacted last year requires the TEA to close charters after three consecutive years of poor academic or financial performance.

HAWKINS (AP/Staff) – A newly elected East Texas mayor has been accused of threatening to ticket and fine a woman $500 daily in a messy yard dispute. Hawkins Mayor William Rogers was arrested Monday on a misdemeanor official oppression charge and freed on $1,000 bond. Fire Marshal Eileen Frazier says the mayor is not authorized to write tickets or issue fines. An arrest affidavit says Rogers stopped at a house July 10 and told resident Candy Palmertree she must clean up her yard or he would ticket and fine her. Code enforcement officials later said the grass did not violate city rules. Continue reading More Details Released on Hawkins Official Oppression Case

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man has been arrested for allegedly setting his girlfriend on fire. KETK reports that around 3:00 Saturday afternoon, Longview officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East Hope Drive after receiving a call from the victim’s mother. Police later arrested Cannon Ebarb, 36, of Longview. Ebarb is accused of dousing the 53-year-old woman with lighter fluid and setting her ablaze with a lighter. She suffered burns to her face and body. The victim’s current condition is unknown. Longview Public Information Officer Kristie Brian said officials filed an emergency protective order against Ebarb. The suspect was booked into the Gregg County Jail on aggravated assault and failure to identify. His bail was set at $100,500.

LONGVIEW — A bat captured in Longview has tested positive for rabies, as confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The bat was captured at Penwood Apartments on Thursday, July 24. It is not believed that any residents had exposure to the bat. This is the first positive rabies case in the City of Longview this year. We believe this was an isolated incident at the apartment complex; however, we are working closely with the management of the apartment complex to take all precautionary measures and inform the other residents. The apartment complex has hired a company that specializes in bat removal, and they have temporarily relocated the residents of the apartment unit involved,” said the Environmental Health Farrar, Buck Farrar. Continue reading Rabid Bat Found in Longview

TYLER — Police in Tyler say a suspect has been identified in a counterfeit money case thanks to the help of the public and their tips. Investigators will be following up with the information provided and the investigation is ongoing, police say. Further details will be made available upon completion of the case, according to officials. Tuesday morning, police asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. On Thursday, officers responded to Dairy Queen and Family Dollar, located on Gentry Parkway, in reference to a female suspect passing counterfeit $50 bills.

WINONA — The mayor of Winona, Dede Stroud, has resigned from her position after less than three months in office. Officials tell KETK Stroud met with a city council member on Monday and handed the council member a short letter of resignation along with her city hall keys and iPad issued to her by the city. Mayor Pro Tem Earl Brown will fill Stroud’s spot until further notice. Stroud was elected May 10, 2014, defeating incumbent Rusty Smith by 81 votes. Since September 2013, Winona has racked up a debt of over $350,000, according to the city’s financial audit. Officials have also confirmed there will be a special council meeting held Thursday evening at 6:30 concerning the abrupt resignation and the future of the city.

TYLER — Tyler ISD is inviting parents, business leaders, and community members to join the inaugural class of the District’s new Inside Tyler ISD leadership program. Beginning in the fall, Inside Tyler ISD participants will gain an in-depth, firsthand understanding of the goals and operations of the school district, according to a TISD news release. “We are very excited to launch Inside Tyler ISD in the fall,” Interim Superintendent Kim Tunnell said. “Many districts across the state have initiated and had great success with similar programs. Community feedback from these programs shows that participants take away a greater sense of the magnitude of what it takes for a school system to be successful.” Continue reading Parents, Community Invited to Go “Inside Tyler ISD”