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LONGVIEW — He’s waiting for answers to a handful of key questions before finalizing his proposed spending plan for 2013-14, but Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt is sure of one thing. “This much I can tell you: we’re not raising the tax rate,” he said Friday. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Stoudt is planning to continue honing the county budget this week, but there are still many unknown elements. Those include how national health care reform will affect insurance premiums. And final property values won’t be certified until later this summer, when all taxing entities will know what tweaking a tax rate up or down will do. Continue reading Upcoming Gregg County Budget Filled with Questions

TYLER — Lindale resident Austin Reeve Jackson Monday filed the paperwork necessary to officially pursue the Republican nomination for Smith County District Attorney. Jackson is a double board certified, third-­generation Smith County attorney. He says he made the decision “after much encouragement and consideration.” He cited his family’s “history of service to this county, state, and nation.” Jackson adds, “I look forward to sharing my ideas for safer towns and lower taxes as well as hearing from the community over the next several months.” Continue reading Smith County Attorney Pursuing Run for DA

TYLER — In an effort to bring closure to unresolved warrants, the Tyler Municipal Court has begun participation in a “Warrant Special.” It kicked off Monday and continues till July 13. Municipal Court will open Saturday, July 13, from 8:00am to 1:00pm to take last minute payments. Any person paying his or her warrants in full will have the warrant fees removed, a savings of up to $50 per warrant. The special price does not apply if the person was already contacted, is in custody by the City Marshals or Police, or is appearing before the judge. Continue reading “Warrant Special” Begins

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators are continuing to follow up on an apparent homicide. Investigators Monday identified the deceased victim as Rodney Earl Walker, 52, of Tyler. Walker’s body will be sent to Southwest Institute of Forensics in Dallas for an autopsy. The suspect, a 39 year old Tyler man, is currently in a local hospital in critical condition from an apparent attempted suicide, according to police. His identity is being withheld at this time. Investigators say they’ve determined that the two men had known each other for some time. Authorities said they responded to a possible shooting at 311 East First Street shortly after 3:00 Monday morning. Upon arrival, officers found a deceased man inside the home. They said he died from an apparent gunshot wound.

TEXARKANA (AP) – An East Texas sheriff’s office is trying to find homes for nine donkeys found abandoned throughout the county. Bowie County sheriff’s Lt. Stanley Cowley tells the Texarkana Gazette that state law requires the animals to auctioned, but no one bought them. The animals have now been in the custody of Bowie County for several months. The animals are being kept at different locations while waiting for homes. There is no charge to adopt them. Cowley says the animals were “about starved to death” when the county found them, but have been gaining weight and are recovering nicely. Cowley says large animals like donkeys are abandoned in the county year-round. He says that so far in 2013, about fifty or sixty large animals, including a few horses, have been abandoned.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man remained in jail on $50,000 bond after he was arrested for assault twice in one day. According to KETK, Eric L. Hill, 37, posted $2,500 bond after being booked into jail Saturday on a charge of assault/ family violence causing bodily injury. A couple hours later, Hill was booked again on the same charge. He was also being held on $5,000 bond on a charge of criminal trespass.

LONGVIEW — A young girl, the object of an Amber Alert in Longview, was found after a brief search. Kaylynn Howard-Dudley, 4, was asleep in a rear seat in a SUV when the driver stopped at a convenience store in the 1700 block of Mobberly Avenue shortly after 10:30 Sunday night. The SUV was left running when the driver went inside. While inside the store, a man drove the vehicle away with the child inside. The vehicle was located a short time later in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Longview. The child was still asleep in the vehicle and was unharmed. Continue reading Missing Longview Girl Located; Suspect Still Sought

TYLER — More developments in the case of the East Texas woman indicted over the ricin letters, and her husband. John Delk, Nathan Richardson’s attorney, says Shannon Richardson may have tried to harm her husband. Delk says, “We’ve got reason to believe that not only was she trying to frame him, but that the poison was also put in the area that he stored his lunch.” Shannon’s lawyer, Tonda Curry, says she hasn’t heard that accusation before. In fact, says Curry, “She believes that…Nathan was trying to poison her.” Curry says Shannon has been indicted for mailing the letters — not for making the ricin — and says from the government’s evidence it’s equally possible Nathan made the poison. Continue reading Latest in the Ricin Letters Case

KAUFMAN — The woman accused of helping her husband kill the Kaufman County district attorney may be preparing to testify against her husband. Kim Williams filed for divorce last week. She and her husband, Eric Williams, each face three capital murder indictments in the shooting deaths of Kaufman County DA Mike McLelland; his wife, Cynthia; and Assistant DA Mark Hasse. According to investigators, Kim confessed to helping her husband plan the murders, information Dallas attorney Pete Shulte says prosecutors will probably want to include at trial. According to Shulte, “If they were married at the time that the trial went forward, the state could not call either one of them to testify against the other.” Shulte says that by filing for divorce, Kim may be looking to be a witness for the prosecutors. He says, “She is taking steps to try to differentiate herself from her husband.”

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 perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2661 in and around its intersection with State Highway 31. A second crew is scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 757 near U.S. Highway 271 near Starrville. Elsewhere, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 2710 east of Lindale, between Farm Road 16 and Farm Road 14. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police were called to the scene of a traffic stop for a weapons offense. According to KETK, it happened shortly after 4:45 Saturday afternoon in the 3200 block of southwest Stallings Drive when authorities made contact with Matthew Paul Pusko, 29, for speeding. While running a check on his license, officers found that Pusko had several warrants out for his arrest. During a search of his vehicle, officials found drugs and a firearm. Pusko was arrested at the scene and is now in Nacogdoches County Jail. He has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

HUNTINGTON — A motorcycle crash in Angelina County ends with one dead Saturday afternoon. It happened just after 4:00 p.m. on Farm to Market Road 1818 just an eighth of a mile from U.S. Highway 69. According to KETK, a motorcycle driven by William Arthur Harrison, 72, of Huntington was driving north bound on Farm to Market Road 1818 when he failed to negotiate a turn and lost control of his vehicle. Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace, Brad Stringer. Upon further investigation it was found that Harrison was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man wanted in connection with a home-invasion robbery in April is being held in the Gregg County Jail on $150,000 bond. According to the Longview News-Journal, Adam Ray English was arrested Thursday night. His arrest stems from a warrant issued May 2 by Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson. Linda Robinson told police English knocked on her door about 10:00 April 23 in the 100 block of Shofner Drive, according to the warrant. The woman let English in because she recognized him as the neighbor she once babysat for and whose child was friends with her son. English then pushed the door open, knocking Robinson over a chair and a fan before taking $900, a credit card and Robinson’s ID from her purse, the warrant said. English is charged with burglary of a habitation.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police Chief Don Dingler has released the identities of two police officers cleared of wrongdoing in fatal shootings this past month. According to KETK, Officers Danny Stroud and Kerry Higginbotham were no-billed Thursday by a grand jury in the fatal shootings of Candace Jackson on May 9 and Jose SiFuentes on May 20 after hearing testimony from Texas Rangers who conducted investigations in each incident. “I am pleased that the grand jury cleared these two officers and they have now been returned to regular duty,” Dingler wrote in a statement. The department has not specified which incident each officer was involved in. Both officers have been with the department for at least three years.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a hit and run accident. It happened around 10:00 Saturday night in the 400 block of North Beckham. According to authorities, the victim was attempting to cross the street on foot when he was struck by a car traveling south. The suspect vehicle failed to stop and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The vehicle was described as a white newer model Dodge Charger. The pedestrian was transported to East Texas Medical Center with minor injuries. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

LUFKIN — A woman is in Angelina County Jail after wrecking into a house. According to KETK, it happened just before 3:00 Saturday morning in the 1400 block of Helen Street in Lufkin. Heather Lopez, 22, was found after wrecking into a house in her car. Upon further investigation, officers found that Lopez was drunk at the wheel. Lopez was booked into Angelina County Jail for driving while intoxicated.

GREGG COUNTY — The mother of a man who died in 2011 while in Gregg County Jail custody has filed suit seeking $2.5 million from Gregg County. According to the Longview News-Journal, Cheyenne Smith filed the lawsuit June 5 — one day before the statute of limitations would have expired — in U.S. District Court in Marshall on behalf of the estate of her son Micah Robert Aaron Garner, 30, who died June 6, 2011. Continue reading Lawsuit Filed Over Gregg County Inmate’s Death

CANTON — After failing to be indicted within 90 days, Larry Maples, 44, of Ben Wheeler, was released from the Van Zandt County Jail on Thursday after allegedly murdering his wife and injuring her boyfriend in March. That’s according to KETK. On Sunday, March 24, at 6:00 a.m., the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Maples saying he had shot his wife and her boyfriend. Deputies arrived at the 2600 block of FM 16 a short time later and arrested Maples at the front door of his home without incident. Continue reading Alleged Murderer Released from Jail

AUSTIN — At its June 13-14 meeting, the Texas Medical Board disciplined 57 licensed physicians, including three in East Texas. KETK reports the cases involved Gary D. Boyd, M.D., of Tyler; Jose Ricardo Martinez, M.D., of Mineola; and Ron Daniels, D.O., of Quitman. All three actions were taken June 14. Continue reading State Medical Board Disciplines Three Area Doctors

TYLER — According to the Gilbert’s El Charro Facebook page, the Tyler landmark has announced it is closing its doors. The following statement was posted on the page: “After 69.5 years and 3 days El Charro is officially closed. Thanks to all of East Texas for dining with us throughout the years.” El Charro first opened in 1943. KETK reports it will close both locations. El Charro #1 at 2604 East Erwin has been closed recently due to repairs but will not re-open. The second location at 2623 East 5th Street, will also not be serving Tylerites anymore.

KAUFMAN (AP) – The woman indicted along with her husband on capital murder charges in the slayings of two North Texas prosecutors has filed for divorce. The Dallas Morning News reports that Kim Williams has filed a divorce petition seeking to end her marriage to Eric Williams, a former justice of the peace. The petition was filed Thursday, the day both were indicted in the deaths of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland and McLelland’s wife, Cynthia. The couple was arrested in April for what prosecutors allege was a plot to avenge Eric Williams’ conviction for stealing county computer monitors. Authorities say Kim Williams has confessed, naming her husband as the shooter. Her petition says the marriage has become “insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities.”

TYLER — Tyler Independent School District Deputy Superintendent Cecil McDaniel has resigned from TISD and accepted a position at Keller ISD. KETK reports McDaniel will be the new Chief Administrative Officer at Keller and will start his new job on July 29. McDaniel began his tenure at TISD in July 2007, and his last day will be July 26. The official announcement was made Thursday, after the Keller ISD Board of Trustees approved the hire. TISD is closed until July 8, and at that time the search to fill McDaniel’s position will begin.

TYLER – Local health officials say preparing for an emergency now provides you your best chance of survival in the event of a local disaster — and emergency preparedness should always be considered in the home and workplace for any unexpected event. That’s why the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health), Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), is presenting the “Public Health Capabilities: Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Preparedness” conference to educate East Texans about the importance of emergency planning and response. Continue reading NET Health to Hold Public Health Emergency Preparedness Conference

TYLER (Staff/AP) — A 35-year-old New Boston woman has been indicted and charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Shannon Guess Richardson was named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on June 27. The indictment charges Richardson with threatening the President of the United States, mailing a threatening letter to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and mailing a threatening letter to lobbyist Mark Glaze. Continue reading New Boston, Texas Woman Indicted for Ricin Letters

ELKHART — Two Anderson County teens injured in a Wednesday morning fire have died. Shauna VanStory, 19, and Michael Murdock, 13 were pulled from their burning home. They were being treated at Parkland Hospital in Dallas where they died Thursday. Their home, in the 100 block of Sheridan Street, was destroyed by the fire. No word yet on how the fire started. It appeared to start in the home’s living room.

AUSTIN (AP) — An East Texas state senator has refiled a major transportation funding bill for the special session that starts Monday. The constitutional amendment from Republican Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville would divert nearly $1 billion a year to build and repair highways. The plan uses oil and gas severance taxes collected and now sent to the state’s cash reserve fund. Transportation officials say Texas needs to spend an extra $4 billion per year to keep pace its expanding population.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — One man died in a grinding head-on collision Wednesday night on State Highway 7 East at Farm Road 2713 in Nacogdoches County. The victim was identified as Kolton Wayne Culberson, 23, of Nacogdoches. Our news partner 103 The Bull reports fire and cleanup crews shut down traffic on the highway until troopers had finished information gathering and cleanup. It appears as if Culberson swerved into oncoming traffic and was struck head-on by an 18 wheeler which then ran off the road. Culberson was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Leann Goerner.

WOOD COUNTY–Funeral services will be held this weekend for former Wood County Sheriff Bill Wansley. Wansley, who as sheriff from 2009 to 2012, died Thursday evening. Visitation will be Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Lowe funeral home in Quitman. Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at Lake Fork Baptist Church.

LONGVIEW — A grand jury has cleared two Longview Police Department officers of any wrongdoing in separate shootings that occurred last month. KETK reports both cases were investigated by and presented to the grand jury by the Texas Rangers. Grand jurors heard testimony from Texas Rangers who investigated the fatal shooting of Candace Jackson (pictured). Jackson was shot by a Longview Police Department officer on May 9, 2013 at a residence on Eden Street in Longview. Continue reading Longview Officers Cleared of Wrongdoing in Two Incidents

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Office has begun verifying petitions for the sale of beer and wine in Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. KETK reports that more than 1,700 signatures are needed for the provision to be added to the November ballot. By law, the office has 30 days to review the petitions. The petitions will be presented to the Smith County Commissioners Court for review on July 30th.