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HUNTINGTON (AP) – Some employees at an East Texas school district are now armed on campus. The Huntington Independent School District board passed the policy allowing some staff to carry arms in March, and beginning Friday they were able to arrive on campus with their weapons. Superintendent Eric Wright told the Lufkin Daily News the board approved the new policy in response to the fatal shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in December. Twenty children and six adults were killed in that incident. Wright says staff with concealed carry permits that want to bring their arms on campus underwent several training programs, including a firearms proficiency test, a psychological evaluation, an active shooter class and a firearms safety course. He refused to name the armed staff members.

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival continues through today in Tyler. A yearly highlight is the Rose Festival Parade, which brought out a large crowd yesterday morning. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.net/ for a full rundown of Rose Festival activities.

KILGORE — Former East Texas State Representative Tommy Merritt has announced he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Texas agriculture commissioner. That’s according to the Kilgore News-Herald. “After months of canvassing the state, I am flattered and encouraged by the overwhelming support I have received from across the state to take this important step,” Merritt said. “Texas needs an agriculture Commissioner who understands what farmers and ranchers are facing in these tough economic times.” Merritt has spent his entire life working in and around agriculture. “I’m no newcomer wannabe looking for a temporary job on the political career ladder,” he said. “This is an opportunity for me to bring the state what I know best – the needs of farmers, ranchers and landowners.” Continue reading Merritt to Run for Agriculture Commissioner

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department has recognized Cadarius Wheeler, a junior at John Tyler High School, for what are termed his bravery and quick actions in alerting the residents of a recent residential structure fire. The fire occurred on October 9th in the 2600 block of Border Avenue. The recognition came during a short presentation before the last night’s homecoming football game between John Tyler and Lindale, with fire department representatives on hand to present the award. Continue reading Citizen Recognized for Alerting Occupants of Structure Fire

TYLER — Authorities continue to investigate the death of a Smith County inmate who was set to appear in court Friday on child sex assault charges. At 3:45 Friday morning, a Detention Officer at the Smith County Jail found inmate Kerry Deon Winston, 42, Tyler, hanging in his cell. Officials said EMS was contacted and CPR was administered to Winston by jail personnel prior to EMS arriving at the jail. The inmate was alive but unresponsive at that time. Winston was pronounced dead at East Texas Medical Center around 4:25. An autopsy was ordered. Continue reading Smith County Jail Inmate Found Hanging in Cell

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of an aggravated assault early Friday morning. It happened around 1:00 in the 1300 block of Bellehaven Court. Officers were told that the suspect had assaulted his wife and child with a knife. Vahid Lamea, 52, Tyler, was arrested at the scene. He allegedly stabbed his 9-year-old daughter. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and failure to identify. Lamea was booked into the Smith County Jail. The wife and child were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

KILGORE — An early morning fire in Kilgore has left one man dead and eight others displaced. That’s according to the Longview News-Journal. Of the nine people inside the home, including four children, Calvin Sickler (pictured), 31, was unable to escape the fire, according to his brother James Riggins. “I tried to get him out, but I couldn’t,” Riggins said Thursday morning while standing outside the charred remains of the wood-frame home in the 700 block of Spell Street. Continue reading Man Killed in Kilgore House Fire

TYLER — A man accused of robbing a Tyler woman earlier this year has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. After a bench trial, State District Judge Kerry Russell found Timothy Dewayne Pullins Jr., 34, guilty of aggravated robbery. Russell handed down the prison sentence Thursday. In August, Pullins was sentenced to one year in state prison for using a stolen credit card taken in the robbery. The robbery occurred January 27th as the woman was leaving a Tyler night club. She was approached by four men. One pulled a gun and demanded her purse and cell phone. Pullins was arrested in March after police used surveillance video at a fast food restaurant to identify him.

LUFKIN — An assistant manager of a Lufkin restaurant has been charged with taking money from the business. Michael Anthony Maldonado, 22, of Lufkin, is accused of taking the money from Chicken Express. Missing from the store’s safe was just over $3,000. Investigators used the store’s surveillance video footage to make their case against Maldonado. He is being held in the Angelina County Jail on a state-jail felony charge of theft between $1,500 and $20,000.

LONGVIEW — East Hoover Street will be closed between North Fredonia Street to North Green Street today between 8:00am and 2:00pm. It will be closed that day only. The closure is for new air handlers on the U.S Postal Building. Postal Service will have someone to assist with any parcel drop off by N. Fredonia Street during normal hours. The work is being performed by Larry Kuczynski of Power Concepts.

LONGVIEW — Three Longview teens were arrested Tuesday after they were allegedly caught burglarizing a home in the 700 block of Melinda Lane in Longview. The Longview News-Journal reports that Jayleen Shaquille Patterson (pictured), 19, Joshua D. Johnson, 17, and Ladadrian Deontae King, 17, were booked into the Gregg County Jail, each under $10,000 bond, according to their booking sheets. Police say they found the trio inside the home about 8:40 a.m. Tuesday after responding to a call about three men entering a home they did not live in, according to police reports.

TYLER — A man is sentenced to life in a Smith County drug case. The trial of Martin Garza Jr., 25, began Monday in the 241st District Court with jury selection; the evidence phase got underway Tuesday. Garza was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine enhanced by a prior conviction for Burglary of a Habitation. Testimony showed that Garza’s arrest was the result of a traffic stop initiated by Tyler Police Department K9 Officer Steve Black on February 28th, 2013. The stop developed into a drug investigation after Garza admitted to officers that he had cocaine in the car. The Tyler Police Officers ultimately arrested Garza for Possession with Intent to Deliver after they located numerous items of evidence suggesting that Garza was involved in the illegal sale of cocaine. Continue reading Man Gets Life Sentence in Drug Case

TYLER — Local attorney Jason Ellis Thursday formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Judge of the Smith County Court at Law. Ellis is a former Smith County Assistant District Attorney who now runs his own law practice. According to press materials, he decided to run for judge because he believes the County Court at Law is in bad shape and needs reform. “The court is slow and inefficient, wasting taxpayer dollars and the time of everyone involved. Smith County citizens deserve better. We must demand better.” Current County Court at Law Judge Tom Dunn is not seeking re-election. Attorneys Jim Huggler and Mike Patterson are also seeking the GOP nomination.

EMORY — An employee in the Rains Independent School District was airlifted to a local hospital after being hit by a car Thursday morning. According to KETK, the DPS says the elementary school aide was walking across Highway 69 to the school when she was struck as the vehicle turned into the school parking lot. There was no immediate word on the woman’s name, her condition, or other circumstances surrounding the incident.

MARSHALL — A Harrison County registered child sex offender is back behind bars for allegedly sexually assaulting another child. Je’Cori Dewayne Howard, of Marshall, was arrested Friday, on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Howard was also arrested and sentenced in 2012 for sexual assault of a child under the age of 14 and was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication. He was also ordered to serve 400 hours of community service and 180 days in the Harrison County Jail, and pay for his victim’s court costs, attorney fees, and counseling. Howard was additionally made to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Lt. Jay Webb with the Harrison County Sheriff’s office tells KETK Howard has been booked into the Harrison County Jail and his bond has been set at $100,000.

TYLER — The Annual Texas Rose Festival is underway, continuing through Sunday. Rose Queen Rachel Clyde cut the ribbon on the festivities Thursday morning. Rachel says she doesn’t think people realize how much the festival does for the community. She told KTBB, “It brings so many people to Tyler, and so they have to stay in hotels obviously…It’s great for our economy and brings so much money in.” On a more personal note regarding her reign as Queen, Rachel says, “It’s really been special just to get to see kind of another side of it. I…didn’t realize all of the tradition that actually goes into everything, and I’ve just really learned so much about our community throughout the whole process. It’s been really neat.” Continue reading Rose Festival Underway

LONGVIEW — Longview home sales jump by more than 18% in September, compared with just a year ago. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that 181 houses sold in September, compared with 153 in September of 2012. Yearly home sales also reportedly are on track to beat last year’s. Interest rates are still low, so realtors say it’s still a good time to buy and sell houses.

HALLSVILLE — Harrison County authorities have identified the woman killed by a Union Pacific freight train around 6:30 Tuesday night. She is Hallsville High School junior Kristina Nicole Lawrence, 17, of Longview. The accident happened near Lansing Switch Road, just outside of Hallsville. Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza told the Longview News-Journal the wreck did not happen at a railroad crossing. “The Union Pacific train came upon a pedestrian on the tracks. It appears by looking at the video, the person was just standing there,” Webb said. Investigators say she was standing on the track with two dogs, who were also killed. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and a Union Pacific police officer are investigating the incident.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have identified a dead body found in the city. She is Maria Raquel Johnson, 41, of Longview. Her body was found in the 1000 Block of Sabine Street Shortly before 1:45 Monday afternoon. An officer was walking back to his car after completing his assignment when he noticed something that caught his attention. Police say the officer went over to investigate further and discovered the partially decomposed body, which was lying a short distance away. They are now trying to determine the cause of death. They encourage anyone with information to contact Longview Police Detectives at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.

TYLER — A Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy has been injured in a one vehicle accident. It happened around 1:15 yesterday morning at the intersection of Loop 323 and McDonald Road. Deputy Candice Vaughan car hydroplaned on the wet road and left the Loop, striking a tree on the driver’s side. She was taken to Mother Francis Hospital where she was treated and released. The weather-related accident remains under investigation.

NORMAN OKLA. — Oklahoma wide receiver, and former Whitehouse Wildcat standout Trey Metoyer, has been charged with with two felony counts of indecent exposure and has been kicked off the team. According to SoonerScoop.com, Metoyer is currently not with the Oklahoma football team as both Bob Stoops and Jay Norvell said recently Metoyer was taking care of personal issues. According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by the web site, Metoyer exposed himself to two different victims in Norman. After initially denying both allegations, Metoyer later admitted to each incident. The first count took place on August 29.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches County man has been arrested, accused of beating his wife. Charged with aggravated assault, family violence, is David Buchanan, 59. His wife, who was severely beaten and had internal injuries and several broken bones, is in the intensive care unit of a Nacogdoches hospital. He was found asleep in his home on Highway 7 East around 10:00 Tuesday morning, and was taken into custody.

TYLER (Staff/AP) – Fire officials are now looking at a lightning strike as the possible cause of a blaze that destroyed an oil storage facility Monday night near Tyler State Park. KETK reports the largest concern was the oil leaking from the tanks, and almost into Wiggins Creek. The fire was extinguished, and the leaks have been contained. Authorities say nobody was hurt. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says after putting out the blaze early Tuesday, fire crews turned the site over to the owner for cleanup. Officials with Vess Oil Corporation did not immediately return messages about the incident.

LONGVIEW — After Pine Tree school trustees took no action at Monday night’s regularly scheduled meeting, a “special meeting” of board will be held October 18, where Athletic Director and head football coach Derek Fitzhenry, is expected to resign. That’s according to KETK, which reports the meeting will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the PTISD Central Office Boardroom. Board members and Superintendent Dr. T.J. Farler are expected to discuss with Fitzhenry what exact formal action will be taken. According to the board agenda, the board will retreat into a closed session for consultation with an attorney regarding a settlement agreement and the resignation of the athletic director. An open session will begin immediately after the closed session ends. During that session, there will be a discussion and possible action on the resignation and settlement agreement of Fitzhenry. Continue reading Report: Pine Tree Coach Expected to Resign

GILMER — A former Gilmer pastor found guilty of multiple child sex charges involving his own daughter will be spending a long time in prison. Hugo Fluellen, 54, was sentenced yesterday to six consecutive life sentences. He will not be eligible for parole for 180 years. Continue reading Former Gilmer Pastor Found Guilty of Multiple Child Sex Charges

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department says a faulty relay switch that operated the exhaust fan over the grill was responsible for a fire at On the Border Restaurant, 4301 South Broadway. Because the exhaust fan did not operate, excessive heat was able to build up inside the duct work causing the fire. The fire was contained inside duct work and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before any structural damage occurred. Continue reading Officials Determine Cause of Restaurant Fire

LONGVIEW — The October 5 shooting that took the life of a 17-year-old Hallsville girl was unprovoked, witnesses tell Kilgore police. That report comes from the Longview News-Journal. According to a search warrant filed in Gregg County 124th District Court and made available Monday, witnesses said Coby Ray Hudgins, 22, leveled a gun and shot Kayla Williams for no apparent reason at his home in the 3000 block of Mustang Drive in Kilgore. “The witnesses stated there had been no threats, no violence or arguments amongst any of the individuals in the house before the shooting,” the warrant said. Continue reading Witnesses: Murder of Hallsville Teen Unprovoked

AUSTIN – An East Texas company has received a statewide employment award. The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities has announced the winners of the 2013 Lex Frieden Employment Awards, which recognize employers who go above and beyond the legal requirements in hiring, training and maintaining positive working relationships with employees with disabilities. The Small Employer of the Year honor goes to Stencor Company of Jacksonville. The winners will be honored at a luncheon on Friday at the Waco Convention Center. The event is hosted by the Waco Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, and is open to the public by reservation. Nominations for the awards were submitted by individuals and organizations from communities throughout the state, and winners were selected by a panel of judges from the public and private sectors familiar with disability issues.

EAST TEXAS – The Tyler Police Department has confirmed that both suspects, Michael Robert Ward (pictured) and Tracy Lynn Mallewick, are now in custody in a series of burglaries. Ward, 35, was arrested Monday in Van Zandt County; Mallewick, 42, was arrested in Dallas County. The two were apprehended as East Texas police agencies continued to investigate numerous reports of burglary of coin-operated machines in hotels. Several warrants were issued for the suspects’ arrest. Tyler police believe they struck again Sunday night at the Holiday Inn Express on West Gentry. The last known location where the suspects were residing was in the Canton area.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano released additional information regarding the investigation into the death of a female jail inmate. Debra Ingram Duffie, 52, died August 19. Justice of the Peace, B.H. Jameson, ordered an autopsy and according to the report, Duffie’s cause of death was listed as hypertensive and ischemic heart disease. Officials said no foul play was found to contribute to Duffie’s death. The investigation is ongoing.