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TYLER – A 44-year-old Whitehouse woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Kristi Isom’s plea came Tuesday in Tyler federal court. According to information presented in court, in September 2011, Isom solicited an individual to intentionally set fire to and burn a residence on East FM 344 in Whitehouse. Isom admitted that she advised the individual of the general habits of the inhabitants of the home so that the individual could set the house on fire while it was unoccupied. Continue reading Woman Guilty of Mail Fraud Conspiracy in House Fire Scheme

GILMER — A man facing three aggravated robbery charges pleaded guilty to two of them Tuesday morning and was handed three life sentences for the crimes — and the judicial system isn’t done with him yet. KETK reports Robby Brian Stevens, 43, of Leander, pleaded guilty in connection with a December 28 aggravated robbery of the Dollar General in Diana. For that, he was sentenced to two life terms to be served concurrently. According to Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd, Stevens had two indictments on the courthouse docket. One indictment came with two charges stemming from the Dollar General incident. The other indictment was for a situation Stevens was reportedly involved with 10 minutes prior to the previous robbery. Officials say Stevens threatened a man and robbed him of his belongings at the Family Dollar, also in Diana. Continue reading Robber Gets Three Life Terms, Still Faces Trial in Another Heist

TYLER — Dr. James Lumpkin has been named the F.M. and Fannie Burke professor and dean of the College of Business and Technology at The University of Texas at Tyler effective June 15. That announcement comes from Dr. Alisa White, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. He will follow professor and Department of Human Resource Development chair Dr. Jerry W. Gilley, who has served as interim dean since July 2013. Continue reading UT Tyler Names College of Business and Technology Dean

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Police Department will launch a free mobile safety app for students and the university community beginning this summer, Mike Medders, police chief, announced. The university purchased the app through RAVE Mobile Safety, a company that has worked in the public safety market for more than 10 years. Officials say with the Patriot Guardian Campus Safety app, users have convenient access – via iPhone and Android smart phones – to the campus police department and 911 call services. Users can make a panic call to the police or report a crime in progress/suspicious activity by voice call or text. Continue reading UT Tyler to Launch Campus Safety App

GRESHAM — Smith County officials seek leads in a pharmacy burglary. At 5:30 Tuesday morning, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received an alarm call from the Family First Pharmacy in Gresham, located off Old Jacksonville Highway near the intersection of FM 2813. Deputies arrived and found a hole cut in the rear of the business. An undetermined amount of prescription medication was determined to be missing. Detectives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit then arrived and are now conducting an investigation. It is believed that the suspect or suspects fled across Old Jacksonville Highway after the burglary. Anyone who may have witnessed any individuals or suspicious vehicles in the area is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER – Beginning Wednesday, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to begin several days of base and pavement repairs on South Loop 323 between South Broadway Avenue and Paluxy Drive in Tyler, beginning with the eastbound lanes. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in and around the work area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., so motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid lengthy delays. TxDOT’s Larry Krantz says officials had hoped to put crews to work on the project earlier, but Monday’s rain delayed the effort.

DETROIT (AP/Staff) – A Texas woman who pleaded guilty to a criminal charge in a car crash that killed her fiance is suing General Motors. Candice Anderson is asking a federal judge in Tyler to set aside a $75,000 settlement in the case. The lawsuit accuses GM of concealing an ignition switch problem. Anderson alleges the switch slipped out of the run position while she was driving in Van Zandt County in November of 2004. She claims that knocked out power steering and brakes, causing her to lose control of a Saturn Ion and crash into a tree. She alleges GM knew about the problem but didn’t disclose it until this year. The crash killed 25-year-old Gene Mikale Erickson. Anderson was charged with negligent homicide and pleaded guilty. She also wants her criminal record cleared.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners Court is currently receiving public input on the proposed boundaries for single member trustee districts within Emergency Services District 1 and Emergency Services District 2. Officials say the public is encouraged to attend a town-hall style meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the R.B. Hubbard “HUB” Center, located at 304 E. Ferguson in Tyler. The Commissioners Court will answer questions about the proposed boundaries and receive input from citizens. No action will be taken during this meeting. The Commissioners Court is gathering input only. Maps of the proposed districts will be available to view at the meeting, or copies can be requested at comments@smith-county.com via email. Contact the Smith County Commissioners Court at 903-590-4605 for more information.

KILGORE — Heavy rainfall Monday morning turns I-20 into a slippery mess in Kilgore. KETK reports police there responded to four accidents. Two 18-wheelers jackknifed on separate parts of the Interstate. Police say one person was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, and one person was arrested for DWI. On the other side of the Interstate, two accidents happened on I-20 East. The first involved three cars near Mile Marker 591. Officials say one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Just a mile down the road, troopers were called to work an accident involving a car and a convoy of army trucks. According to authorities, wet roadways caused a car to hydroplane, hitting those military trucks; all three vehicles ended up in a ditch. A hazmat crew was also called in to clean up some diesel, and two army personnel went to a local hospital.

TYLER — A Tylerite was sentenced to 25 years in jail Monday for the murder of another man in May 2013. KETK reports Alex Jones, 25, was booked into jail on May 22, 2013. He still faces about 24 years after being granted time served. Jones was charged with the crime after a shooting in the 100 block of Patton Lane, located west of Tyler near Highway 64. Responding Smith County deputies discovered the suspect had shot and killed Timothy Matthew Martin, 24, during a confrontation. Restitution will be handled after Jones is released from jail.

TYLER – A 54-year-old Murchison woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Deborah Cornett pleaded guilty to an Information charging her with embezzlement by a bank employee Monday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. According to information presented in court, from November 2007 to May 2013, Cornett was an officer and employee of the First State Bank of Ben Wheeler. During that time, Cornett embezzled approximately $334,736.43 from bank payroll accounts, the bank Christmas Club account, certificates of deposit, and from fraudulently issued bank loans. Cornett faces up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler man has agreed to a plea deal in the 7th District Judicial Court and will be sentenced in the near future on one count of indecency with a child. According to judicial records, Danny Bussell, 59, was charged with two separate counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2013. KETK reports one offense occurred in 2011 and another in 2012. The aggravated sexual assault charge was dismissed by announcement. The reduced second degree felony sentencing will be handed down by Judge Kerry L. Russell. No date has been announced. Bussell is being held on $200,000 bond.

EAST TEXAS — The East Texas Food Bank’s Summer Food Program is underway. According to Food Bank press materials, the program provides free nutritious meals to children at over 60 sites throughout East Texas. You can get complete information on the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department is investigating a Sunday evening blaze on Rollins Street. According to Public Information Officer Johnny Zackary, at around 6:09 p.m., firefighters were called to a structure fire in the living room area of a home in the 600 block of Rollins. According to KETK, it was determined the blaze began in the den, but the cause is still under investigation. The majority of the fire was contained to the den, but not before the home incurred $15,000 in damages. No injuries were reported.

LAKE HAWKINS — One person died while swimming at Lake Hawkins Sunday evening. According to Game Warden Kurt Kelley, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office received a call for help shortly after 5 p.m. KETK reports Kelley was dispatched to the scene at about 5:10 p.m. When Kelley arrived at the Lake Hawkins RV Park, he learned a group of people had been swimming in the beach area when a 20-year-old man disappeared into the lake. The man’s body was recovered around 7 p.m. Authorities believe fatigue played a factor in the man’s death. The incident remains under investigation. This is the second drowning at Lake Hawkins in the past two weeks.

TYLER — A man who was sentenced to life in prison last month in a fatal Tyler mall shooting accepted a plea deal on an additional charge Monday morning. KETK reports Ricky Neal Jr. pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to five years in prison to run concurrently with his life sentence. The aggravated assault charge stemmed from Neal’s shooting at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, of Tyler, during the murder of Christopher Mass in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot. Continue reading Mall Shooter Gets Additional Prison Time

AUSTIN — Habitat for Humanity Texas Monday announced that Jack Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, was elected to its statewide board of directors. “Jack has extraordinary expertise in the housing and nonprofit sectors, and we are delighted that he is joining Habitat Texas’ board of directors,” said Celeste Cox, Habitat Texas Board President. Wilson has served as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County since 2008. According to a Habitat for Humanity news release, during that time Wilson “has helped hundreds of critical-need individuals through new construction and home rehabilitation programs for Habitat partner families.”

BRYAN (AP) – The Texas Department of Transportation hosts in Bryan its first of 25 public meetings to gather input on the state’s long-term transportation needs. TxDOT on Friday announced that the first of the public sessions about the Texas Transportation Plan through 2040 was scheduled for Monday in Bryan. State officials hope to define goals for all transportation modes – road, transit, rail, ports, aviation, pedestrian, bicycle and freight. The plan also will address the state’s aging infrastructure. The last session will be held Aug. 5 in Austin. The other meetings are planned in Beaumont, Houston, Lufkin, San Angelo, Odessa, El Paso, Atlanta, Paris, Tyler, Mesquite, Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, Brownwood, Laredo, Pharr, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Waco, Abilene, Childress, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Antonio.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in East Texas by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER — Construction crews are scheduled to begin several weeks of repair and resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 69 (Broadway Avenue) in Tyler between Fourth Street (SH 64) and South Loop 323. The work will largely be done during off-peak hours between 7:00pm to 5:00am Sundays-Thursdays until the project is complete. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

ATHENS — Athens police are searching for the men they believe shot and killed another Sunday afternoon. The shooting happened around 1:00 in the 700 block of Robbins Road. According to KETK, when police arrived at the scene they found Cedrick Alvin Collins, 23, on the ground next to his car with a gunshot wound. Collins was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. Police say witnesses reported seeing two men running from the scene. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athens police right away.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of shots fired and arrest one man. It happened in the 1400 Block of North Whitten Avenue around 1:25 Sunday afternoon. According to responding officers, two men had gotten into a verbal altercation when one of the men, Gregory Perry, 28, retrieved a gun from inside the residence. Witnesses said Perry threatened to kill the other man and fired one round from the pistol. Officers were able to secure the pistol as evidence and Perry was taken into custody. He was booked into the Smith County Jail, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

LONGVIEW — Communities around the region are wrestling with how to handle the devices known as “e-cigs.” Longview City Manager David Willard has asked city employees not to use electronic cigarettes at work until a policy committee fleshes out how to address the devices. According to the Longview News-Journal, in his memo, Willard noted the devices, like their more-common tobacco-infused cousins, could be smoked outside of city buildings. Continue reading E-Cigarette Restrictions in East Texas Continue

LONGVIEW — A LeTourneau University student was killed Friday night after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle in Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Logan Anthony Houshmand, 26, was pronounced dead Friday night at Longview Regional Medical Center. Thomas Daniel White, 38, of Jefferson was driving a 1977 Chevrolet Nova and veered into Houshmand’s lane on Delwood Drive, hitting his motorcycle, police said. White was uninjured. Houshmand, a military veteran who was enrolled in a summer class to finish his degree in aircraft systems, participated in graduation exercises this past month.

TYLER — A Tyler man reported missing has been found in Mexico, according to authorities. Tyler Police Department verified that Chavez Pedro Martinez was located in
Mexico. Martinez was last seen Thursday afternoon, where he walked away from a business. According to police, Martinez is forgetful due to a stroke, on dialysis, and also a diabetic.

TYLER — A suspect wanted for aggravated assault following a shooting in Tyler is now in custody. Tyler Police said around 5:00 Friday evening, Guillermo Flores Jr. turned himself in to the Tyler Police Department. He was arrested on an outstanding aggravated assault with a deadly weapon warrant and was transported to the Smith County Jail. Bond was set at $250,000. The incident was reported at 11:30 Wednesday night at the Taco Bell, 7425 South Broadway. Officers said when they got to the location, the suspect had fled. Witnesses said Flores Jr., 24, Tyler, fired several rounds from a pistol at Joseph Gilliam, 24, Tyler, following a verbal altercation. No one was injured during the shooting.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is warning consumers about a scam which is targeting East Texas consumers. Consumers have reported receiving calls which appear to be from local area businesses, but BBB believes the calls are coming from overseas. Callers have likely purchased lists of cell and home phone numbers, or use robocall capabilities to randomly dial. Using a technique called “spoofing”, scam artists attempt to trick customers into thinking a legitimate East Texas business is calling. BBB officials say the East Texas area has been flooded with these calls in the last few days. BBB is advising consumers to use caution when providing information over the phone. Continue reading Spoofing Scam Hits East Texas Residents

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say a burglary was thwarted — and a suspect wounded — when homeowners intervened. At approximately 5:00 Friday morning, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a man who had been shot near the 14000 block of Highway 271 North. Upon arrival of the responding patrol deputies, the man was no longer at the location. Upon further investigation by the responding deputies, it was determined that he had been shot by a homeowner in the immediate area. It was further determined that the man and two others allegedly went to the residence to burglarize it. The burglary attempt occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. Continue reading Authorities: Attempted Burglary Foiled by Homeowners

RUSK — Two burglary suspects are jailed in Cherokee County after reportedly being caught in the act. On Wednesday around 2:15 p.m., the sheriff’s office was notified of a property owner who was following two suspects that he allegedly caught on his property stealing engine parts from his garage. The complainant said he was following the suspects on Hwy. 21 between Alto and Nacogdoches. According to accounts, the suspects pulled over at the intersection of Hwy. 21 and County Road 2610 (about 1.5 miles east of Alto), where they exited their truck and approached the complainant’s vehicle. They reportedly told him they would take the parts back if he didn’t call law enforcement. Officials say when the complainant told the suspects he had already called, the suspects ran down the road and into the woods, leaving their vehicle and stolen property behind. Continue reading Authorities: Burglars Caught in the Act

ATHENS — Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee says a victim is finally getting the justice she deserves after she was sexually abused 17 years ago. According to KETK, on May 29, Judge Carter Tarrance of the 392nd District Court sentenced Thomas Lane Boyd to 20 years in prison on two charges. Boyd pleaded guilty to both accusations, indecency with a child and prohibited sexual contact, according to the Henderson County District Attorney. The sentences were the maximum allowed under law. Continue reading Man Sentenced in Sex Abuse Cases Dating to 1997

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department welcomed the newest additions to its fleet of emergency vehicles with a celebration in front of Fire Station 5, 1532 S. Bennett Ave., on Friday. The presentation began at 10:30 a.m. with remarks by Tyler Mayor Martin Heines, along with Tyler Fire Chief Tim Johnson. The new equipment will replace some of the fleet’s older vehicles and includes a new fire engine and two aerial ladder trucks. Officials say these units will enhance the service capabilities to the citizens while also outfitting firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies designed with safety in mind. Continue reading Tyler Fire Department Presents New Fire Trucks