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TYLER – Community members joined representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Tyler Mayor Pro Tem Martin Heines, and other community leaders for the Wall Raising Ceremony of Habitat’s 100th home built in Smith County. The event took place at 1702 North Spring Avenue in Tyler on Monday morning. “The citizens of Smith County have supported our work for nearly 25 years, so we want the 100th home to be a community-wide event,” said Jack Wilson, Habitat’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have come to this milestone because of the generous people of our community.” Continue reading Smith County Habitat Holds 100th Wall Raising Ceremony

TYLER — Dropping temperatures this fall mean many of us turn to space heaters for comfort. But according to KETK, all too often we’ve seen destruction, even death they leave behind when used incorrectly. Tyler firefighters say the supreme commandment when it comes to space heaters is never leave one unattended. But this time of year, the people who answer the call for help guarantee space heaters will be the culprit behind many calls to house fires. Firefighters point out that the devices are not designed to heat entire homes, but that’s what they see them used for. Firefighters remind users that space heaters should only be on for a short period of time.

TYLER — Smith County officials are looking for a missing woman. KETK reports Elizabeth Hamilton, 28, was last seen October 25 at 1:30 a.m. Hamilton had left a note saying she was going to the store for cigarettes when she left in her mother’s vehicle, a 2004 beige Cadillac SRX with Texas license plate BHZ0217. Hamilton has not been seen or heard from since, and her phone is turned off. She is 5 feet 5 inches and weighs 115 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes, a thin build, tattoos including stars on her left wrist, a lock on her inner right forearm, and a skull tattoo on one of her calves. It is unknown what she was last wearing. Her mother, Lynn Day, has said it is possible that she is in Kilgore or Atlanta, Texas. Anyone who sees Elizabeth is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

PALM BEACH, FL — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has positively identified the body found Thursday in a sugarcane field as the missing Palm Beach County school nurse. According to deputies, the missing person case is now a homicide investigation. Kimberly Lindsey, 49, formerly of Jacksonville, Texas, vanished Sunday after returning to her Palm Beach Gardens home. Her ex-husband, considered to be the main suspect, has been found dead. Albert Lambert is said to have died from a drug overdose. He was found dead at a sister’s house in Miami. Continue reading Body of Missing East Texas Native Found, Suspect Also Dead

BERRYVILLE — An early morning fire in Henderson County Sunday morning destroys a home. It was reported on Crestview Lane in Berryville. According to KETK, there were no injuries but the mobile home was a complete loss. No word on how the fire started.

CHIRENO (AP) — An East Texas woman has been recognized for her 80-year unbroken membership in her church. Lilly Stone joined the Chireno United Methodist Church in 1933, when she was 8 years old. The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches reports that Stone was recently awarded a plaque signed by the church’s bishop and district superintendent honoring her longtime membership. Stone says, “It was a shock. I really didn’t know how long I had been a member. I didn’t think about it.” Stone joined the church while living with her grandmother, whose house abutted the church’s parsonage. Stone celebrated her 88th birthday on Thursday. Chireno is a town of about 400 people in Nacogdoches County.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 near Red Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

NACOGDOCHES — A one vehicle accident in Nacogdoches County has left one person dead. Killed when his pickup left the road, overturned and hit a tree was Robert Earl Davis, 57, of Nacogdoches. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The Department of Public Safety report says Davis was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The accident happened shortly after 8:15 Saturday night on U.S, Highway 59, just north of County Road 254.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are looking for a man involved in several vehicle burglaries around Longview. Two of these burglaries occurred at Gorman McCracken. The suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male who is possibly using a CO2 pellet gun to break the vehicle windows and then stealing items inside the vehicles. If anyone has any information on these burglaries or the suspect they are asked to call Detective Rebecca Reeves at 903-237-1199 or contact Gregg County CrimeStoppers.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is being held in jail under a $100,500 bond after being arrested on drug charges. According to KETK, Billy Don Pirtle, 47, was arrested around 10:30 Friday night in the 1300 block of East Marshall Avenue after police noticed the vehicle he was in matched the description of a vehicle suspected in multiple burglaries. After searching his vehicle, police learned that Pirtle had a warrant out for his arrest and had been arrested previously for reckless driving, aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and evading arrest.

A search of the vehicle turned up a cloth bag that contained a set of scales, 15 pre-packaged baggies with methamphetamine weighing 7.2 grams and 17 methadone pills. Pirtle was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance of more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams and manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance of more than 200 grams but less than 400 grams.

TATUM — A Tatum ISD teacher is on administrative leave after allegations she had an improper relationship with a male student. According to the Longview News-Journal, an investigation began October 25. Three days later, Tatum ISD Superintendent Dee Hartt told Tatum Police the district was conducting an internal investigation into allegations the female teacher sent inappropriate messages to the male student via Facebook and text message. The teacher had been placed on administrative leave. The News-Journal did not identify the teacher because she has not been charged with a crime.

TYLER — The U.S. Marshals Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force arrested Jason Lee Oliver Friday. According to KETK, officials say Oliver had been a fugitive from Smith County for exactly three years. He’d been wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office since November 1, 2010. His warrants included two felony indictments of assault family violence and evading arrest with prior conviction. Oliver was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for these offenses, but failed to surrender for the service of his sentence, according to authorities. Oliver’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, theft, possession of marijuana, evading arrest, and failure to I.D. as a fugitive. Continue reading Authorities: Longtime Fugitive Caught

TYLER — Tyler police have cited a man allegedly responsible for two incidents of inappropriate contact. According to a news release, “Thanks to the media and public the Tyler Police Department received numerous tips on the identity of the suspect wanted in connection to assault by contact of a female victim at Wal-Mart on Troup Highway. Investigators also determined that he was also responsible for the incident at Target.” Police identify the suspect as Chaz Aaron Sansone, 24, of Jacksonville. Officials say Sansone was found, issued two citations for Class C assault, and released. Continue reading Suspect Cited, Released in Inappropriate Contact Incidents

LONGVIEW — Authorities are bringing renewed attention to an incident last spring. According to the Longview Police Department, on Thursday, June 13, an unknown woman attempted to withdraw money from an account at a local bank. KETK reports the suspect allegedly used a driver’s license that had been tampered with. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Longview Police Department or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER — Tyler Junior College is growing by leaps and bounds. According to KETK, trustees this week discussed plans for upcoming campus construction. On the agenda: a new dorm, a health center which is under construction, and expanding the energy center on the West Campus. Trustees say the school’s already bulging at the seams. Board President John Hills says there’s currently a 500-person waiting list. A lot of those students are from outside the area, so Hills says if there’s not student housing available, a lot of those students wind up going to another school where they can get housing. According to Hills, college officials plan to have all the new buildings finished by the fall of 2015.

TYLER — Tyler police need your help identifying the suspect allegedly responsible for walking out of Wal-Mart on Troup Highway. with a flat screen TV and other items without paying for them on Friday, October 25. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (ABC/Staff) — The daughters of a missing East Texas native, now a Florida school nurse, have made a tearful plea for help to find their mother. 49-year-old Kimberly Lindsey, originally from Jacksonville, Texas, mysteriously went missing earlier this week without a trace. Lindsey’s aunt, Gina Lindsey Priest, contacted our news partner KETK. Priest told the TV station authorities, family members, and friends are concerned for Lindsey’s well-being. Continue reading Search Continues for East Texas Native Reported Missing in Florida

TYLER — Smoke alarms are a vital part of any home fire escape plan, according to local fire officials. According to the Tyler Fire Department, the alarms can provide the early warning needed for occupants to safety evacuate their home in the event of a fire emergency. It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes that do not have smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. Statistics indicate that citizens who have working smoke alarms inside their homes can cut their chance of dying in a home fire in half. It is because of these continuing statistics that the Tyler Fire Department reminds area residents to take this opportunity to change the batteries in their smoke alarms throughout their homes. Continue reading Tyler Fire Department Reminds Citizens to Change Smoke Alarm Batteries

LONGVIEW — A man convicted Thursday morning of fatally driving into a bicyclist in Liberty City has received a seven-year prison sentence. Andrew Martin Shelton, 50, faced up to 20 years. He was convicted and sentenced for assault causing serious bodily injury or death. 31-year-old Brian Carr died in July 2011, two weeks after being struck. He was able to describe the driver of a white van who approached him as he lay on the ground but then fled. Continue reading Driver Gets 7 Years in Death of Liberty City Bicyclist

TYLER — A man has been severely burned in Tyler after his costume caught fire. It happened just before 6:45 Thursday night in the 2100 block of Holly Leaf Drive. Fire Marshall Paul Findley says the man in his late 40s suffered extensive burns of varying degrees over multiple parts of his body. Bystanders extinguished the flames. The man was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment and later flown to a Dallas hospital. The initial report was the fire may have started from a cigarette. The investigation into the incident continues.

TYLER — Tyler firemen responded Thursday night to a report of a dorm fire at Texas College at 2400 Grand. The call came in shortly after 9:15. Arriving units reported no smoke or fire. Fire Marshall Paul Findley said firefighters initially indicated a potential electrical cause and noted a tripped circuit breaker in the dormitory. There were no injuries and the investigation continues.

LUFKIN — A woman has died from a Lufkin stabbing and a suspect is in custody. Officers had been looking for Richard Wayne Taylor, 51. He is a suspect in the stabbing of his wife Thursday afternoon at the Ministry in Action apartment complex. The woman, identified as Shirley Taylor, died at Lufkin Memorial Hospital just before 6:00 last night. About an hour earlier, Richard was arrested by Corrigan police officers. At the time, he had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That will likely be upgraded to murder.

PALESTINE — A Palestine man was sentenced to a total of 375 years in prison on five counts of sexual assault of a child Tuesday afternoon at the Anderson County Courthouse. KETK reports a jury of eight men and four women reached verdicts of 75 years on each count for Willis Demond Carwell, 32. That followed a sentencing hearing which started on Monday. Carwell had earlier pleaded guilty to the assaults, which are second degree felonies. However, the possible punishment range was increased to a minimum of 5 years and maximum of 99 years or life because Carwell had been to prison for burglary of a habitation. The victim is now 15 years old.

TYLER — The Texas Medical Board and Gregory Scott Terrell, M.D., of Tyler have entered into an Agreed Order of Suspension, suspending Dr. Terrell’s Texas medical license. According to KETK, the parties entered into the agreement October 18. The board says it’s effective until such time as Terrell appears before the board and provides clear and convincing evidence that he is competent to safely practice medicine. The board found Dr. Terrell was arrested July 31 for diversion of controlled substances for another person’s use. Continue reading Doctor’s License Suspended Following July Arrest

LONGVIEW — Earlier this week we brought you the story of a Spring Hill student who left the district because of severe bullying. She enrolled down the road in Longview ISD. But was her case the tip of the iceberg? KETK reports more parents are coming forward, with some calling it a complete nightmare. They say students in the Spring Hill school district are being bullied and there’s nothing being done to stop it. Continue reading Bullying Concerns Continue in Spring Hill

KAUFMAN — A high-profile defendant in Kaufman County wants his case heard elsewhere. Former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, who faces three capital murder charges, wants his trial moved. Williams (pictured) and his wife are jailed on charges of murdering District Attorney Mike McLelland; his wife, Cynthia; and Assistant D.A. Mark Hasse. Criminal defense attorney Ed Klein says if he were representing Williams, “I would want it moved to a county that’s at least two or three hundred miles away where it hasn’t been…the lead story on the 6:00 news for weeks and then on the front page of the local paper for weeks. Klein feels the case will have to be moved. A prosecutor says his office will fight to keep the case in Kaufman County.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department responded to a home fire in the 500 block of Oakdale Avenue yesterday morning. According to Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, the fire broke out around 6:00 at a house undergoing renovations. Zackary tells KETK there was significant roof damage and the utility area was destroyed. About 30 percent of the home was damaged in the blaze. The home was vacant at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.

TERRELL (AP) — Investigators now say the man accused of a bloody rampage in a small North Texas town that left five people dead, including his mother, hoped to kill two others. A Terrell police affidavit says Charles Everett Brownlow Jr. killed five of seven that he had hoped to kill before his arrest early Tuesday. The 36-year-old suspect was arraigned Wednesday on capital murder and evading arrest charges in the death convenience store clerk Luis Leal, 22. He’s in the Kaufman County Jail in Kaufman without bond. Terrell Police Chief Jody Lay says other charges are pending. The affidavit says Brownlow stole beer from the store after shooting Leal. Also killed Monday night were Brownlow’s mother, Mary Brownlow; his aunt, Belinda Walker; and associates Jason Michael Wooden and Kelleye Lynnette Sluder.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an 8 month old baby boy. Randy Lee Casper, 38, entered the plea in state district court Wednesday. He now faces up to 30 years in prison. The sentencing portion of his trial should occur within the next 45 days, following a pre-sentence investigation.

TYLER — An East Texas sportswriter has been indicted by a Smith County grand jury, according to documents released by the 241st Judicial District Court. KETK reports Harold Lamonte Wilson, 36, of Tyler, was arrested by police on June 26 for sexual assault of a child. He was held on $100,000 bond in the Smith County Jail until he was released later that night. Wilson was indicted in the past week. According to Texas law, a child is defined as a person younger than 17 years old. Wilson is a sportswriter for ET Final Score and the Tyler Morning Telegraph.