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TYLER – Final arguments were due to be heard today in the Dennis Bendy murder trial in state district court in Tyler. Both the state and the defense rested in the case Monday morning. Before resting, Bendy’s attorney requested a directed verdict in favor of his client. Judge Jack Skeen denied the requests. Following today’s closing arguments and the judge’s charge to the jury, deliberations will begin. Continue reading Bendy Murder Trail Soon to be in the Hands of the Jury

TYLER — UT Tyler Accounting Professor Dr. Mary Fischer has received the 2014 Association of Government Accountants’ Author Award. She was recognized at the association’s annual professional development training in Orlando, Florida. The award recognizes the 12-member AGA Journal Editorial Board’s choice of the best article appearing in the scholarly Journal of Government Financial Management during the 2013 –14 program year. The board chose to recognize Fischer’s co-authored article, “Government’s New Normal: A Changing Role for Auditors,” which was published in the fall 2013 issue. Continue reading National Honors for U-T Tyler Professor

TYLER — Beginning today, Tyler Water Utilities will be closing 9th Street, between Roseland Boulevard and Donnybrook Avenue to through traffic for the installation of a 24-inch water valve. Drivers should use 8th Street and/or Troup Hwy. as alternate routes while 9th Street is closed. It is anticipated that 9th Street will be closed through Friday.

TYLER – Tyler ISD is encouraging parents to avoid the first day rush by registering students early for the 2014-2015 school year. Tyler ISD campuses will be open for parents to register their children beginning Monday, August 11. Continue reading Tyler ISD Encourages Parents to Register Students Early

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an early morning robbery involving two bank employees. It happened just before 8:00 Monday morning at the Capital One Bank, located at the Loop and New Copeland Road. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin says, two female bank employees were walking back towards the drive-thru building door when they were approached by man who told them to drop the black night deposit bag. He then grabbed the bag and fled in a dark Mercedes Benz, 4- door with no license plates. The suspect is described as a white Male about 6 feet tall, thin build and wearing a suit and had a nylon stocking over his head. Anyone with information about the suspect involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crime stoppers at 903-597-CUFF 903-597-2833. Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

GREGG COUNTY — A convicted sex offender has been arrested and charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Jesse Christian, 32, Fort Worth, was arrested by Longview Police and Gregg County Sheriff’s Deputies on charges of forgery of a financial instrument and a Dallas County warrant for failing to register annually as a sex offender. Christian was held in the Gregg County Jail Saturday on bonds totaling $55,000.

TROUP – A woman has been critically injured after the bike she was riding was hit by a car. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident happened Sunday morning in southern Smith County on Farm Road 3052. Janice Terry is said to be in critical condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. A companion bike rider was uninjured. The accident remains under investigation.

WEST RUSK — A West Rusk football player has been killed in a one-vehicle accident several miles outside of Henderson in Rusk County. Adarian Parker, 16, of Henderson, was traveling southeast on Texas Highway 323 Friday when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway striking a tree. Parker was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger London Martin, 15, was released from the hospital with minor injuries. Continue reading East Texas Football Player Killed in Wreck

TYLER — A $4 million widening project on State Highway 64 will get under way this week in Smith County. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the project, which runs from just east of Chapel Hill to State Highway 135 in Arp, consists of adding a left turn lane at the intersection of County Road 229 (Big Oak Bay Road) as well as mile-long passing lanes at two different locations along the project. The contractor is Drewery Construction Company of Nacogdoches. Motorists should anticipate reduced speed limits and delays due to daytime lane closures. Continue reading TXDOT Projects for the Week Ahead

DALLAS (AP) — Federal authorities have arrested a man suspected of selling drugs to an East Texas man whose mysterious disappearance prompted his family to criticize investigators for mishandling the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Beaumont says Shane Dewayne Hadnot (pictured) has been indicted on charges alleging he sold drugs to Alfred Wright shortly before Wright went missing in November. Wright’s family says law enforcement bungled its search before Wright’s body was found a mile from where he was last seen south of Hemphill, about 170 miles northeast of Houston. Authorities said Friday that Wright’s blood had traces of cocaine, methamphetamine and the antidepressant Xanax. They say text messages confirm Wright arranged to buy the drugs from Hadnot.

LONGVIEW – The suspect in the August 7th shooting with Longview police has died in a Longview hospital. He was earlier identified as Regan Marshall Wagner, 23, Longview. According to a news release, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave for the duration of the investigation being conducted by the Texas Rangers. The shooting occurred during a traffic stop just before 4:00 Thursday afternoon in the 400 block of Delwood Drive, near Akin Park. As the officer tried to pull over a vehicle, there was an exchange of gunfire. The gunman was taken to Longview Regional Hospital, where he later died. The officer involved in the shooting was not injured. Wagner had pleaded guilty earlier this year to terroristic threats against a public servant after threatening to shoot police officers at the department’s central office on Cotton Street.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler offers exceptional on-campus living environments for students, according to Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs. UT Tyler is home to more than 1,400 resident students who live in Ornelas Hall, Patriot Village, Eagle’s Landing, and University Pines. And according to a UT Tyler news release, UTT students recognize the outstanding service and quality that is provided through consistent exit survey results. “We are very proud of the positive response from our residents,” said David Hill, director of residence life and judicial affairs. “It’s such a compliment to our staff when they return year after year.” Continue reading Officials: UT Tyler Housing Provides Unique Living Communities

TYLER — The investigation continues into what occurred 711 East Oakwood Street in Tyler, where a teenage girl suffered a single gunshot wound. Hospital officials reported that the victim was out of surgery and listed in critical condition. According to a police news release, investigators believe the incident is not a threat to the general public. They say further details will be released once confirmed. The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time. Police were notified shortly after 11:30 Friday morning by Mother Frances Hospital that the teenager had been brought into the emergency room with a gunshot wound.

AUSTIN — The vast majority of East Texas schools meet the standard in the Texas Education Agency 2014 state accountability system ratings, released Friday. The ratings cover more than 1,200 school districts and charters, and more than 8,500 campuses. According to KETK, the ratings reveal that 90 percent of school districts and charters across Texas have achieved the rating of Met Standard. Tyler and Longview were among the districts in which some schools met the standard and improvement is said to be required in others. Districts, campuses, and charters receive one of three ratings under the accountability system: Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, or Improvement Required. The performance index framework includes four areas: Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps, and Postsecondary Readiness. Continue reading TEA Accountability Ratings Released

TYLER — Criminal Investigations Division (CID) agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety say they’ve seized approximately 700 marijuana plants from an outdoor location off FM 2016 near Smith County Road 427. According to a DPS news release, CID agents received an anonymous tip describing a possible grow site earlier this week. Investigators say they utilized DPS aircraft to pinpoint the exact location of the outdoor grow, and then conducted a joint eradication operation. Continue reading DPS: Authorities Raid Pot Field near Tyler

TYLER – Robert E. Lee High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School, 1st Team Award. According to a Tyler ISD news release, the award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment, according to TISD officials. “Tyler Lee is honored to receive this 1st team recognition from NATA and we remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship and good health,” said Lee’s athletic trainer, Amy Langley. Continue reading Robert E. Lee High School Receives National Award

TYLER — More changes are on the way to downtown Tyler. KETK reports the old Forum building, empty for a good while, has now been sold to Austin Bank. The bank says it has no immediate plans for the structure at Front and Broadway, where it’s stood for 47 years. The building, opened as a furniture store, has been everything since then from a restaurant to a children’s theater.

TYLER — Tyler police say an alleged drunken driver led officers on a wild chase in which he crashed his car into several vehicles. Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Don Martin told KETK the pursuit began at around 2:00 Tuesday afternoon. That’s when Martin says a motorcycle officer on Vine Avenue noticed that a vehicle missing a wheel in the turn lane almost hit another car. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which was driving on a rim, and radioed for backup to other motorcycle units a few blocks ahead. Continue reading Tyler PD: Drunk Driver Leads Officers on Chase, Hits Multiple Vehicles

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating an accident in which two people were hurt when an SUV crashed into a building. Police were dispatched Wednesday at 9:31 p.m. to the 700 Block of South Green Street. Arriving officers learned a Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by 30-year-old Latoya Shenae Addison of Longview, was involved in an accident. Addison said she was traveling westbound on Young Street approaching the red light. Just after making a right turn onto Green Street from Young Street, Addison lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a parked Cadillac in the parking lot of a business in the 700 Block of Green Street. Addison’s SUV also struck the building and two bystanders. Another parked vehicle was damaged when the Cadillac was pushed into it. Continue reading SUV Crashes Into Building Injuring Two Bystanders

HENDERSON — As expected, not everyone is on board with a newly-passed immigration resolution in Rusk County. County commissioners this week voted against housing, educating, or giving medical care to illegal immigrants. Augustine Pinedo with LULAC says the measure isn’t necessary. Pinedo says he thinks the move is “just a knee-jerk reaction” and “maybe…racist in nature.” He remarks, “People panic about the illegal immigrants.” The county judge says that is absolutely not the case. Joel Hale says they’re simply requesting an agreement that they’ll be reimbursed by the feds if they house any illegal immigrants in Rusk County.

MARSHALL -— After one day of trial, Andre McCall pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to manslaughter with a deadly weapon finding, the lesser-included offense of murder, for the April 2012 death of Ronnetta Patterson. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The victim, Patterson, was killed on April 14, 2012, when a stray bullet discharged by McCall from his firearm struck her, following an argument between McCall and another person while hanging out at a home. According to the Longview News-Journal, Patterson was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall where she died of her injuries.

MARSHALL — A 35-year-old cold case was resolved this week after a person of interest, who is serving time in Louisiana for another crime, confessed to two slayings in other jurisdictions as well as his role in the homicide of Chester Underwood in Marshall, according to the Longview News-Journal. He also confessed to another homicide in DeSoto Parish. Through an agreement for his confession, the Harrison County District Attorney and prosecutors in DeSoto Parish decided not to prosecute Larry Thompson, the self-confessed 71-year-old hitman, for the crimes in the respective jurisdictions. Continue reading Cold Case Solved by Jailhouse Confession

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — An East Texas man was arrested Tuesday night on two counts of indecency with a child and was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail late Tuesday night. Deputies reportedly received a complainant from child protective services that a child had made an outcry to a parent of being assaulted. According to KETK, a forensic interview was conducted on two children at the Harold’s House in Nacogdoches. Sheriff Jason Bridges said both children are under the age of 8 years old and had been victimized at their home by a family friend. The suspect was identified as Aaron Burch, 18, who was alone with the children at the time and babysitting them at the residence. Continue reading Man Accused of Indecency with Two Children

TYLER — Tyler Junior College continues to grow — so much so that it’s run out of dorm space. But KETK reports UT Tyler will be helping out with its Eagle’s Landing facility. A new residence hall will be ready for the new semester at TJC and will hold over 200 students — but that’s still not enough. UTT recently opened university apartments to TJC students, which is a win-win situation — especially for those students who transfer from the junior college to the four-year university. There are some requirements to live at Eagle’s Landing. You need to have at least a 2.5 GPA.

AUSTIN — The Texas Racing Commission postpones a decision on a controversial plan to allow people to bet on horse races that have already happened. State Representative Dan Flynn of Van has already weighed in on the idea, known as “historical racing.” Horse racing tracks would set up terminals that are similar to slot machines, and people could place wagers on old races on video playback, with some of the identifying information removed. Critics say they’re too much like slot machines. Flynn has asked for a ruling on whether the racing commission has the authority to approve the machines. The proposal was scheduled to go before the racing commission next week, but it’s not on the commission’s agenda after all. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports one member of the commission wants more time to review the information it’s received from the public, which includes more than 13,000 comments.

TYLER — If you’ve recently taken a trip down Tyler’s Old Jacksonville Highway, you may have noticed there’s nothing “old” about all the new developments popping up in that area. But with growth comes more traffic. According to KETK, that’s why the city of Tyler is conducting a study to address the issue. Officials say with all the new growth, the outcome of the study will help tremendously. The study will cost about $60,000 and take about one year to complete.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Department will re-stripe the streets in the downtown area beginning Saturday, August 16. Officials say work will begin at 7 a.m. and end in the early afternoon. The re-striping is expected to be complete by Saturday afternoon. Drivers can expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes. Traffic crews will be utilizing mobile road blocks to allow painting and curing of street markings.

TYLER — Gang violence is at the center of the murder trial of Dennis Bendy, which started Tuesday in Tyler and continued Wednesday with more testimony. The 20-year-old Bendy and two other men are charged with the murder of Briana Young last summer. KETK reports evidence in the case shows Young was caught in the middle of a shootout between rival gangs at P.T. Cole Park. The district attorney’s office says Bendy was the driver and fired 8 shots that night with a 9-millimeter pistol. Young was shot twice. The fatal shot came from a Ruger bullet. Authorities are still trying to find the origin of that second bullet. More than 20 witnesses are expected to take the stand during Bendy’s trial.

GLADEWATER — More information comes out on a suspected animal hoarder who’s under arrest — and is reportedly still trying to collect cats and dogs. Linda Luker of Gladewater had to turn over her 64 dogs, six cats, and horse to the SPCA in May. She said she was running a rescue operation, but the animals were sick. Even after that, Upshur County Constable Jean Dolly says Luker tried to restock — and had taken in three dogs and a cat and asked residents for more. Dolly says he considers the whole situation very sad and feels sorry for Luker. He says she faces an animal cruelty charge. She’s also been ordered to pay $20,000 in fines — money that will be used to pay the SPCA for veterinary care.

TYLER — Renovation and construction at the Tyler Public Library will commence Aug. 11. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-October, according to a city news release. The Library will remain open during the renovation and will observe normal hours. The Library is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For further questions regarding the construction, call the Library at (903) 593-7323. Continue reading Tyler Public Library Renovation Begins Next Week