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SMITH COUNTY — Authorities say eastbound traffic on I-20 near Barber Road in Smith County was beginning to move again by late Friday afternoon, following an accident that caused major traffic backups. At least one driver reported being stuck in traffic for three hours. Officials say it all began when an 18-wheeler jumped the median and rolled over at eastbound mile marker 574 just before Barber Road. According to KETK, there were no major injuries reported. A hazmat crew was among those called to the scene.

LINDALE – Smith County Animal Control Officer Juan Dockens was bitten in the face by a Great Dane. Officials say it happened Friday during a routine call in the Lindale area. The dog was being surrendered by its owners. Dockens was taken to a Tyler medical facility for assessment and treatment. His injuries are said to be moderate, located primarily around his chin and mouth, and required stitches. He is now at home recovering. The animal has been quarantined and will be tested.

LONGVIEW — A Longview home has been damaged by fire, and the family has been displaced. The blaze was reported in the home’s garage in the 900 block of Irene Street. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a fire department official said the garage sustained most of the damage but the rest of the home was damaged by smoke. No one was home when the fire started and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham says David and Sabrina Kimbley (pictured) have both pleaded guilty to five cases of child endangerment and were sentenced to four years behind bars. That’s according to KETK. The two had previously been scheduled for trial Monday, June 3rd. The Kimbleys were arrested and indicted on 13 counts of child endangerment last year. The five surviving Kimbley children were removed from the Kimbleys’ care following the death of their two-year-old son Jacob in August of 2012. Continue reading Kimbleys Sentenced to Four Years in Child’s Death

TYLER — A pro-development group in Smith County has started collecting the required number of signatures on petitions to place limited beer and wine sales on the November ballot for the current boundaries of Smith County Justice Precinct 4. The Buy Smith County Committee has already collected the required number of signatures to place Smith County JP 1 on the November ballot. Continue reading Beer and Wine Sales Proposed for JP 4

TYLER — The U.S. Marshals and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office say they’ve arrested a burglary suspect. Kristopher Ford, 26, Tyler, was apprehended Thursday in Tyler thanks to a Crimestoppers tip. He’s accused of burglarizing the Dairy Queen in Gresham on April 9. Kaysi Brown, 26, Tyler, was also arrested during that time for felony revocation of probation and a bond forfeiture warrant. They were both booked into the Smith County Jail. Ford’s bond was set at $50,000. Bond for Brown has not been set.

TYLER — A professor of biology at The University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Neil Ford, is the first recipient of the UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Professor Award. Created this year, the award recognizes outstanding teaching and research contributions to the college and UT Tyler. Continue reading UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

TYLER — The Tyler Red Cross sends two volunteers to Hood and Johnson Counties to help victims and first responders following Wednesday night’s devastating North Texas tornadoes. Red Cross volunteer specialist Linda Edwards tells KETK their primary initial duties will be distributing snacks and water. But Edwards says, “Their duties will enlarge as things open up and they get into the cleanup phase. They could be distributing cleanup kits; they could be helping feed at the shelter.”

CARTHAGE — Ron Clinton, the Panola County sheriff suspended from office earlier this month, entered a guilty plea Thursday to tampering with a government document in Panola County district court. Judge Diane DeVasto accepted the plea but withheld a finding of guilt, defense attorney David Moore said. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the judge placed Clinton under three years’ probation. Continue reading Embattled Panola County Sheriff Enters Guilty Plea

GILMER — A Gilmer man is sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder. Anthony Brown Jr., 32, was charged in connection with a wreck that killed Nancy Huyser, 56, of Kilgore in 2011. Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety tell KETK Brown was legally drunk when he drove his truck across the median and crashed into Huyser’s vehicle. Brown was charged with intoxicated manslaughter. .

TYLER – Tyler ISD will use a search committee to select candidates for the John Tyler High School principal position. TISD officials say a community survey has been launched to gather information from John Tyler parents, staff members, students, and community members to determine what characteristics and qualities they would like to see in a potential candidate. You can go to http://www.jt.tylerisd.org to gain access to the survey. Continue reading Committee to Select Candidates for John Tyler Principal Position

LONGVIEW — A state forestry official says effects of a lingering drought and federal budget cuts are setting up East Texas for a dangerous wildfire season. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “East Texas is a concern for us this summer,” said Tom Spencer, director of predictive services for the Texas Forest Service. “If we get tropical moisture this summer and plentiful rainfall, that would mitigate it.” Add to that concern the arrival of national budget sequestration cuts. Continue reading Official Warns of High Wildfire Danger in East Texas

TYLER – A joint investigation between the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson County has led to the arrest of Joshua Shapley, 30, in connection with several thefts and burglaries in southwest Smith County and eastern Henderson County. During a traffic stop on April 25, a DPS Trooper found a gun, a television, and jewelry inside Shapley’s vehicle. It was determined that these items were from a burglary he had just allegedly committed in Frankston. Shapley is currently in the Henderson County Jail facing charges and is expected to face additional charges in Smith County. Officials said Brandy Hedricks (pictured), 28, who is said to be a known associate of Shapley’s, was taken into custody Wednesday night.

TYLER — The new dean of the College of Education and Psychology at The University of Texas at Tyler is Dr. Ross Sherman. He has served as interim since September 2012. Sherman has served UT Tyler as professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies since 1987. Continue reading Sherman Named UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology Dean

TYLER — Urologist Delbert Rudy, MD, has joined UT Health Northeast after more than a decade in private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dr. Rudy has over 30 years of experience as a urologist, which is a physician and surgeon who treats diseases of the male and female urinary tracts and the male reproductive organs. He is board certified in urology. Continue reading Urologist Joins UT Health Northeast

KILGORE — Three Kilgore College Board of Trustees members have been sworn in after votes were canvassed from the May 11 election. New to the board is Rev. Brian Nutt, (pictured) pastor of Grace Fellowship of Kilgore. Rev. Nutt received 53.63% of the vote, defeating former KC Board member Marion Turner. He will fill the Central Zone seat, representing Kilgore Independent School District, vacated by longtime board member R.E. “Sonny” Spradlin. Continue reading Kilgore College Trustees Take Oath of Office

AUSTIN (AP) — The House has soundly defeated a proposed referendum that would have let voters decide whether to limit statewide elected officials to two consecutive terms. The proposal easily cleared the Senate but failed on a 61 to 88 vote in the lower chamber Wednesday. It would not have applied to state representatives or senators.

Senate Joint Resolution 13, authored by state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, would have placed a constitutional amendment regarding term limits for all statewide elected officials before Texas voters in November. It would limit officials to two consecutive four-year terms.

AUSTIN — The bill that would authorize the creation of a pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Tyler has been passed by the Texas Senate and House and is now on its way to Gov. Rick Perry for approval. A signature from the governor would be followed by final approval by the UT System Board of Regents. Continue reading Bill for UT Tyler Pharmacy School Awaits Perry’s Signature

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help in locating a person said to be on the run. Kristopher Jarrod Ford, 25, is wanted on a warrant for allegedly burglarizing the Dairy Queen in Gresham on April 9. According to authorities, Ford is aware that he has a warrant out for his arrest and is hiding. His last known address was on South Englewood in Tyler. Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ford. If you know of Ford’s whereabouts or have more information about this case, you’re asked to call Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (2833). The Smith County Sheriff’s Office welcomes help from the public in reporting crimes or criminal activity. If you have information, call 903-561-6600.

TYLER — A Smith County jury sentenced a Whitehouse man to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to his third charge of driving while intoxicated. 42-year-old Samuel Gentry faced a punishment range of 25 years to life, and he will be eligible for parole after he serves at least 30 years of that sentence. KETK reports that previous felony convictions bumped Gentry’s charge up to a first-degree felony.

TYLER – A 38-year-old Longview woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler to federal tax violations. Racyna Antoinette Henry pleaded guilty to an information charging her with aiding and assisting in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns on May 14 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith A. Guthrie. Continue reading Longview Woman Guilty of Federal Tax Violations

TYLER — Mothers Against Drunk Driving reacts to the government’s recommendation that states lower the legal blood alcohol content to .05. Leslie Watson with MADD in East Texas says the recommendation is all well and good, calling lower BAC levels “one piece of the puzzle.” But she adds, “We feel that with the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, that that really does provide the best opportunity to save the most lives and actually eliminate drunk driving.” Watson says MADD’s campaign deals with keeping the drunk driver off the road — not telling people how much they should drink. According to Watson, MADD will continue to focus on getting legislation passed to support ignition interlocks and sobriety checkpoints. She says MADD believes that presents the best opportunities and possibilities to save lives.

KAUFMAN — No reward money will be paid for the three high-profile murders in Kaufman County. More than $100,000 had been pledged to help solve the murders of assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland, and his wife, Cynthia. But Tassie Gamble of Kaufman County Crimestoppers says it was police legwork that led to the arrest of Eric Williams (pictured) and his wife, Kim. Gamble says Crimestoppers released the letters of credit that been brought in from pledges back to the people who had pledged the money — which was the lion’s share of that money. A small amount will remain in the Kaufman County Crimestoppers program.

NACOGDOCHES — Nearly a dozen illegal immigrants were arrested in Nacogdoches County Tuesday, according to officials. KETK reports that a little after midnight, Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputies pulled over a car for a traffic violation on Highway 59 South. Inside, they reportedly found 10 illegal immigrants crammed into the car. They were all taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail.

TYLER — Tyler’s teachers of the year have been named. The announcement came Tuesday night at the annual banquet held at the Harvey Convention Center. The District honored Campus Teachers of the Year before naming Griffin Elementary School Science Lab Teacher Kimberly Whaley as Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Robert E. Lee High School Pre-AP Biology Teacher Elgin Johnson as Secondary Teacher of the Year. Continue reading Tyler’s Teachers of the Year Named

CHANDLER — A home in Chandler has been destroyed by fire. It was reported early Tuesday night in the 600 block of Hamilton Boulevard. No one was at home when the fire was reported and no injures were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — Votes in the Whitehouse wet/dry election will be canvassed May 21 by the city council. According to KETK, local businesses will be able to apply for permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission as soon as May 22. One business owner says the city’s proximity to Lake Tyler should help spur beer and wine sales. Such sales were approved for local stores this past Saturday, by a narrow margin.

GRANBURY (AP/STAFF) — Texas con man Billie Sol Estes, the colorful 1960s swindler whose case became a national sensation, has died. He was 88. County Sheriff Roger Deed says Estes was found dead in his home by a caregiver early Tuesday. Estes’ name was synonymous with Texas-sized schemes, greed and corruption. He became notorious in 1962, when he was accused of looting a federal crop subsidy program in a scam involving phony financial statements and non-existent fertilizer tanks. Several lower level agriculture officials resigned. Along the way he accused fellow Texan Lyndon B. Johnson of numerous crimes. Continue reading ’60s Texas Swindler Billie Sol Estes Dies; Was Tried in Tyler

LONGVIEW — A trial date has been set for a Kilgore man and woman being held in the Gregg County Jail on multiple charges of sexual misconduct with a child. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, court records show Jesse Dale Smith, 33, and Cassandra Stone, 32, were indicted in December. The pair are scheduled to appear before Judge David Brabham at 9 a.m. May 20, in the 188th District Court. Continue reading Sexual Misconduct Trial Date Set

LONGVIEW — Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials said Tuesday North and West Longview residents should have a little more than 45 days before beer and wine hit area store shelves. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Longview voters overwhelmingly granted area grocery and convenience stores permission to sell beer and wine Saturday, passing Longview’s Proposition 1 by nearly a 2-1 margin.

Roy Hale, a planner for the TABC, said after the results of the election are canvassed – which will take place at a special Longview City Council meeting Thursday – and an application for beer and wine sales is approved by city and county officials, the turn-around time for an application with the commission is about 45 days. Continue reading Beer, Wine Could Hit North, West Longview Stores in About 45 Days