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TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of Tracy Todd Smith, 45, who is a registered sex offender in Tyler. Smith appeared Wednesday in Judge Kerry Russell’s court for a hearing on a 2nd degree felony charge, “fail to comply with sex offender registration life/annually.” Court proceedings ended with testimony during the morning session. When court convened for the afternoon session, Smith failed to return to court, according to officials. The jury convicted Smith of the offense, and Russell issued a bond forfeiture warrant on Smith.

Anyone with information about this or any felony may contact Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

ARP — An Overton woman died in a one-vehicle crash that occurred five miles west of Arp, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officials say Tanya Marie Ratcliff, 22, was driving east on Texas 64 shortly before 10:15 Wednesday night when her car ran off the road and overturned. Ratcliff was pronounced dead at the scene.

DALLAS — A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the “Loan Ranger Bandit.” He’s believed responsible for ten bank robberies in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, dating to January 2009, including two in Tyler. The FBI and local police in those three states are involved in the hunt. During the robberies, the armed man, who does not attempt to disguise his face, displayed a note demanding 20s, 50s and 100s and received an undisclosed amount of money. To date, no one has been physically harmed. Continue reading $10,000 Reward Announced for Capture of “Loan Ranger Bandit”

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was fined and jailed Wednesday on animal cruelty charges in connection with the seizure last week of an emaciated horse found wandering near Eastman Road. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Brian Fite appeared before Judge Arthur Fort during a hearing to decide whether Fite’s paint stallion would remain at Safe Haven Equine Rescue or be returned to its owner. Continue reading Man Fined, Jailed on Animal Cruelty Charges

EAST TEXAS — Expect the opposition to grow this summer to plans to build the Keystone XL Pipeline through East Texas. Several environmental groups say more than 62,000 people have volunteered to be arrested if necessary, in what activist Becky Bond calls the biggest burst of civil disobedience ever to drive home opposition to the pipeline. Bond says, “To be clear, our goal is not to get arrested; our goal is to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline by showing enough opposition to Keystone XL that President Obama will reject it.” Actress Darryl Hannah has already been arrested for blocking construction equipment in East Texas. Bond says the President has to get the message that the pipeline will contribute to global warming.

HAZLEHURST, MISS. (AP) – Long-missing suspect Linda Gale Reed will be arraigned Friday in Mississippi in an East Texas-linked case. She’ll go before Copiah County Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard on three counts of embezzlement. Reed was served with an indictment June 7 at the county jail. The court hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in Hazlehurst. The 65-year-old Reed was reported missing in April of 2012. Her status changed from missing to wanted for embezzlement on October 15, 2012. Authorities say Reed allegedly embezzled $20,000 from her Mississippi employer, Moore’s Fabrications. She had worked for the company since 1999. They say an accountant found the money missing from petty cash fund. Her family searched for her for nearly five months before she was found in Longview, Texas. She was working as a bookkeeper under her own name.

TYLER — 26-year-old Marcus Allen Edmiston of Smith County has been arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. He’s accused of breaking into a home off south FM 756 in the early morning hours of June 11 and sexually assaulting a minor female. Edmiston was taken into custody at approximately 8:00 Wednesday evening subsequent to an arrest warrant being issued by State District Judge Christi Kennedy. Judge Kennedy has set bond on Edmiston at $750,000 on the charge of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault. Additional charges may be filed pending the ongoing investigation. Edmiston remains in custody at the Smith County Jail at this time. Continue reading Man Charged in Smith County Burglary and Sex Assault

EAST TEXAS — Accidents in Wood and Rusk Counties this week left two persons dead and two injured. In Wood County, a crash involving a SUV and an 18-wheeler has killed Addison Dugan, 9, of Grand Saline. She was in the SUV driven by her mother, Amie Dugan. The Department of Public Safety reports the woman failed to yield the right of way and was hit by the truck. The mother and truck driver were both hospitalized with injuries. The accident happened shortly before 12:15 Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 779. Continue reading Two Killed in Wood, Rusk County Wrecks

LONGVIEW — Longview police are asking the public to help them identify a suspect in a store theft. On April 5th, the man took merchandise from the Sears store in the Longview Mall. He was described as a white male tan overalls, boots and a white T-shirt. If you have any information, contact the Longview Police Department or the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

BOWIE COUNTY — A man missing in Bowie County since June 4th, has been found dead. Joseph Edward Gaspard, 48, of Bowie County, was found dead yesterday morning in a wooded area between County Road 4313 and Highway 259. His vehicle was found last Saturday off of County Road 4313. Authorities say that foul play is not suspected at this time.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council is looking forward to future development. KETK reports that during today’s meeting, the council will consider adopting a comprehensive plan that will unify and update future projects into one direction. If it’s passed, a Dallas-based firm will help the city make the unified plan a reality. The council gathers this afternoon at 5:30.

TYLER — A Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Kym David Pearce, 52, pleaded guilty on February 8, to possession of a stolen firearm. Pearce was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. According to federal prosecutors, on May 20, 2012, a federal warrant was executed for Pearce’s arrest at his residence on Virgie Street in Longview. As Pearce was being arrested, Gregg County CODE agents observed several firearms in the residence. A search of the residence resulted in the discovery of eight firearms and several rounds of ammunition. Pearce admitted that he knew at least one of the firearms in his residence was stolen.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Sipriano Relles, 32, pleaded guilty on September 4, 2012, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 140 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. The court also imposed a $2,000 forfeiture judgment against Relles. Federal prosecutor say on February 20, 2012, Relles was found in possession of approximately 66.9 grams of actual methamphetamine, which he intended to deliver to others in and around the East Texas area.

TYLER – A 37-year-old Mineola woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Denise Marie Meeks pleaded guilty on February 6 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. She was sentenced yesterday in Tyler to 12 years behind bars by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. The court also imposed a $2,000 forfeiture judgment against Meeks. According to officials, up until July 19, 2012, Meeks possessed and distributed more than 20 grams of methamphetamine in East Texas. She also admitted that she carried a firearm during, and in relation to, her drug trafficking activities.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a tax abatement agreement with Hood Flexible Packaging Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of heavy duty plastic shipping sacks. The agreement allows for a three-year 100 percent abatement for a $12 million investment that could result in 12 to 15 new jobs in Tyler. Continue reading Tyler City Council Approves Tax Abatement

MARSHALL — Harrison County investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying possible suspects in numerous vehicle burglaries during the weekend of June 8-9 in Western Harrison County. KETK reports the pictures are from two separate Wal-Mart stores’ cameras in Longview on June 9 at approximately 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. The vehicle involved is believed to be a 2000-2002 burgundy color Toyota Camry. Continue reading Harrison Co. Sheriff’s Office Seeks Help Identifying Suspects

TYLER – Tyler ISD officials are analyzing the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores in math and reading. Officials say those determine whether or not fifth and eighth grade students advance to the next grade level. Recently released data shows Tyler ISD’s student scores fell slightly below the state trends in the second year of the more-rigorous STAAR test. This year students could retest in math and reading if they failed to pass on the first try. Students will have a third chance to retest on Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26. Continue reading Tyler ISD Analyzes State Test Scores

NACOGDOCHES — The Boys’ Ranch in Nacogdoches is closing its doors. KETK reports the ranch off Farm Road 1275 has cared for young boys dealing with abuse and abandonment. It’s been open the past 27 years and has always housed about 20 kids. A counselor at the ranch says many of the boys at the camp learned positive reinforcement skills and respect while working there. The remaining boys will be relocated to similar placement areas around the state.

TYLER — Smith County has been honored for a third time with the 2013 Texas Comptroller Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency in government. According to a county news release, The award recognizes local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for online financial transparency through:

· opening their books to the public;
· providing clear, consistent pictures of spending; and
· the sharing of information in a user-friendly format to assist citizens in understanding how their tax dollars are spent. Continue reading County Honored With Gold Leadership Transparency Award

TYLER – A former Henderson High School English teacher has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to child pornography charges. James Brent Malone, 42, of Henderson was arrested in January when deputies said he was in possession of more than three images of child pornography. Judge Judith Guthrie Tuesday referred the case to federal judge Leonard Davis for sentencing. Malone is now facing up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

LONGVIEW — Two persons have been arrested in Longview on forgery charges. Therion Nalls, 40, (pictured) was arrested at a convenience store where authorities say he was trying to cash a check that had been stolen from Sherwin-Williams Paint Store. The woman who drove him to the store, Shuntilla Richardson, 32, was arrested after officers found several checks and stolen credit cards in her purse. Nalls is being held for forgery of a financial instrument. Besides forgery charges, Richardson is also being held on a burglary warrant out of Smith County and and a drug warrant in Henderson County.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been charged with stealing a car where he use to work. Arrested, following a traffic violation, was Jesse Adam Swensen, 38. Officers say he took the keys to the Infinity sedan from the dealership before he was fired last month. Besides being charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, Swensen has also been charged with fleeing from a police officer and possession of a firearm by a felon.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville’s mayor has retained his job. In a runoff election Tuesday, Mayor Kenneth Melvin defeated challenger Rob Gowin. The unofficial tally shows the vote count was 586-510.

TYLER — The Obama administration announces there will be no age restrictions on the morning-after pill. KETK caught up with several East Texans who aren’t pleased. Asked how she’d feel if she learned her daughter was taking the pill, one mother said, “I’d probably be very shocked that I didn’t know that that was going on for her.” A local man simply said, “I think it’s ridiculous.” A local woman added, “Teaching our children they can have freedom, and whatever they do, there’s no consequences, and then go take a pill, I think it’s a tragedy.”

ATHENS — A pair of hefty sentences was affirmed last week by two Texas Courts of Appeals. KETK reports the convictions of George Wayne Smith (pictured) and Samuel DeWayne Colbert, both of Henderson County, were affirmed after both appealed their convictions. Continue reading Lengthy Sentences Affirmed for Two East Texans

NACOGDOCHES — A Texarkana man is jailed in Nacogdoches after allegedly holding his girlfriend against her will for several hours on Tuesday morning. KETK reports it happened on County Road 713. Nacogdoches County dispatch received a call saying that a female was being held against her will at a residence in Nacogdoches County. The victim was only able to communicate through text messages at the time, and notified a friend to call for help. Deputies were able to locate a possible residence where the victim was and verified the location through tracking her phone through the phone company. Continue reading Man Accused of Holding Girlfriend against Her Will

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD trustees Monday unanimously approved ending a two-year salary freeze, effectively restoring scheduled salary steps in their entirety. According to KETK and a school district news release, the vote was 6-0, with Trustee Dr. Mark Camp absent. In addition to teachers, the restored steps will be reflected in the salaries of counselors, librarians, and nurses. All other salary increases –- including professional, para-professional, auxiliary, and manual trade employees — will be calculated at a rate of 4 percent of their pay grade midpoint. Continue reading Longview ISD Approves District-Wide Pay Hike

NECHES — A Neches ISD school board member, busted for alleged possession of child pornography, may face more charges. Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor says Joshua Kinkaid was busted for having a picture of a nude 14-year-old girl on his cell phone. Kinkaid is out on $15,000 bond. Taylor says officials have sent Kinkaid’s other cell phones and his computers to a lab to see if there are more such images.

ZAVALLA (AP) – An East Texas police chief has been reprimanded for balking at using his personal vehicle to respond to a traffic accident. The Zavalla City County voted Monday to reprimand police Chief Joey Courtney, who does not have a take-home city vehicle. The Lufkin Daily News reported Tuesday that Courtney refused to use his personal vehicle last week on a pre-dawn traffic accident call. Specifics of the wreck weren’t released. Mayor Jimmy Davis says Courtney is a salaried employee and his job description says the chief must respond to emergencies at any time. Courtney says the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office let him know that deputies could respond because he doesn’t have a take-home patrol vehicle for emergencies.

EAST TEXAS — The East Texas Food Bank’s Summer Food Program got underway at 11:45 Monday morning at City Park, 200 West Queen Street in Tyler. The program provides free nutritious meals to children at 60 sites throughout East Texas. Since school is out, thousands of East Texas children will be looking for places they can meet their friends, have fun and eat healthy meals. The meals are free to all children ages 1 to 18 at participating feeding sites. Continue reading Summer Food Program Begins