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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 pavement repairs in various locations in both directions on Interstate Highway 20 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 14. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 782 between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week in Rusk County, construction crews are scheduled to set barricades and begin work to rebuild Farm Road 95 between the end of the work performed last year south of U.S. Highway 84, and Farm Road 1971. The road will be open to local traffic only while the work is in progress, with motorists detoured onto Farm Road 1971 and US 84. The approximate $700,000 project let to contract in November 2012 and is scheduled for completion next spring.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola and on Loop 564 in Mineola. A second crew is scheduled to make pavement and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 779 northeast of Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continues resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1252 between State Highway 135 and State Highway 42. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 773 at its intersection with State Highway 31 in Murchison. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1911 between U.S. Highway 69 north of Wells and the end of state maintenance, and on Farm Road 347 in Jacksonville between US 69 and U.S. Highway 175. Also this week in Cherokee County, construction crews are scheduled to begin work to add shoulders to State Highway 110 between U.S. Highway 79 in New Summerfield and U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2419 between U.S. Highway 287 south of Palestine and State Highway 294 east of Elkhart, and in various locations on Farm Road 320 west of Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the reported robbery of a man at the Relax Inn Motel, 1812 East Gentry Parkway. It happened early Saturday morning. The victim told officers he was approached by two men and a woman asking for cigarettes. During the conversation, one of the men told the victim he had a knife. The three removed items from his pockets and stole his 2006 blue Ford Expedition. They then fled in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.

The suspects were described as one Hispanic male around 5’10 and 150 pounds, with a shaved head, wearing a grey or blue hoodie and blue jeans. The other was a black male, about 5’07 and weighing around 200 pounds, wearing all black. The woman was said to be a white female with spiked blond hair, approximately 5’07 and weighing around 140 pounds, wearing a red shirt and black shorts.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The unemployment rate in Texas rose slightly last month to 6.4%. But it remains below the 7.1% recorded a year ago and last month’s national rate of 7.7%. State officials say Texas added about 81,000 jobs in February with construction and manufacturing and professional and business services leading the way.

While unemployment was going up state wide, it was dropping in some northeast Texas cities. In Tyler, The February unemployment rate was 6.6%. A Month earlier it was 7.2%. Longview also saw a drop. It went from 6.2% in January to 5.7% last month.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested a man they say sent them on a wild goose chase. Arrested Friday night was Adam Galaz, 31.

It all started shortly after 7:00 Friday night when police dispatchers received a 911 call reporting that the caller saw someone drive by a house and shoot a young child. He told dispatchers that the child was bleeding and unconscious. Officers, who responded in emergency mode using lights and siren, determined that the address given to the dispatcher by the caller was not the correct address.

As officers spent several hours looking for the injured child the caller then stated that he was following the suspect vehicle going east on Farm Road 2767. Shortly after that, the caller said that the suspect vehicle had crashed. Officers were not able to locate that vehicle.

Through further investigation, Tyler Police were able to locate the suspected caller, Galaz, at a house. As they talked with him he appeared to be intoxicated. He later confessed to the false report, saying that he was trying to get his girlfriend in trouble. Because multiple Tyler Police units had responded with lights and sirens to what was believed to be a serious offense and it was discovered that he had made up the story; Galaz was then arrested and transported to Smith County Jail for false alarm and for public intoxication.

WINONA — A man has been killed in a Smith County ATV crash. Juan Espinoza, 21, was dead at the scene of the crash that occurred around 8:00 Thursday night in the 17000 block of Farm Road 1252 south of Winona. Espinoza is said to have borrowed the ATV from a coworker. The coworker began worrying about Espinoza after he was gone longer than he had said he would be. During a search, the coworker located the ATV and found Espinoza unconscious nearby. The coworker administered CPR until EMS arrived. According to EMS, Espinoza sustained massive head trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger. Espinoza was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

RUSK — A body has been found at a church in Rusk and authorities are treating it as a homicide. Around 6:30 Friday morning the Rusk Police Department was called to Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, located in the 900 block of Farm Road 23, also known as Crockett Street, to investigate a suspicious person lying on the ground. According to the Rusk Police Lieutenant Brad George, when officers arrived on scene, they found Chris Reneau, 42, of Rusk, dead. An autopsy will be performed by the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

PALESTINE — One person is dead and two are injured after a head-on collision in Palestine. According to KETK, shortly before 9:30 Thursday night, police responded to a wreck on the 4200 block of West Oak Street. According to authorities, a pickup truck pulling a trailer was hit head on by an SUV. One person was pronounced dead on scene by Judge James Wesley, and two people were taken by air to Tyler hospitals. The identities of the victims will not be released until next of kin are notified.

VAN ZANDT — Department of Public Safety officials tell KETK, Van Zandt Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a high-speed chase around 5:00 Friday morning. Authorities said the pursuit resulted in a crash on Smith County Road 4118, near Lindale. At least one person was arrested and was taken to the Van Zandt County Sheriffs office. The pursuit began in Wood County, according to officials.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested when police said he tried to meet a person he thought was 14 to have sex. Russell Glen West, 54, was arrested at 5:00 Wednesday afternoon by Longview police. He was charged with online solicitation of a minor after a month-long conversation with an undercover law enforcement agent, according to police spokeswoman Deborah Stiles. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report a probable cause affidavit says West communicated with the agent “using electronic mail communications and text messages.” Stiles said she could not discuss the content of the messages because the case was still under investigation.

West was arrested in the 300 block of Lake Lamond Road when he went to meet the minor for sex, according to authorities. At last report, he was held in the Gregg County Jail on a $10,000 bond. No other arrests were made in connection with the case, Stiles said.

EAST TEXAS — There are many changes going with mail processing centers in East Texas. The center in Tyler was set to shut down next year but now, that’s not the case. According to KETK, Louie Gohmert, U.S. Congressman of East Texas had a meeting with the District Manager of the U.S. Postal Service Dallas office Tuesday to discuss the closure of the Tyler facility this summer.

“Toward the end of the meeting I said, well, Lufkin hadn’t had heard anything in a while; I want to make sure they’re okay, that there are no plans for them because they got an original closing being considered,” says Gohmert. Gohmert tells KETK within 24 hours, “We get a certified letter that was sent before the meeting was even started, probably before they left Dallas, that says they’re closing the Lufkin processing plant,” says Gohmert. The letter says Lufkin mail operations will be moving to North Houston.

TYLER — Students at Tyler Junior College will pay more this fall. Thursday, the Board of Trustees took action to increase the out-of-district surcharge by $1, to $47 a semester. Trustees also voted to raise the general education fee by $3, to $40 a semester. School officials tell KETK they don’t want to burden students, but they say the extra money will help.

TYLER — The East Texas Human Needs Network has issued its annual report on homelessness in Smith County, based on a survey done in January. According to the report, 238 homeless persons were found on the night of January 24. Of those identified that night, 181 (76%) were adults and 57 (24%) were children. Point in time homeless estimate is 435 people on any given night with an annualized homeless estimate of 961 moving in and out of homelessness in one year. Thirty-nine percent of homeless respondents were female, an increase of 6%; 61% were male.

Many races and ethnicities are represented in the Smith County homeless population with 71% identifying as white and 25% identifying as African-American. Nearly 10% stated their ethnicity was of Hispanic/Latino descent. Across the spectrum, single individuals represent the highest percent of respondents in the surveyed population at 74%. Homelessness in families with children continues to rise and makes up 18% of the population. Median age of adults was 41 years old; children’s median age was 10 years old. Military veterans are homeless at a higher rate than other groups. In Smith County, 21% of the surveyed populations are classified as veterans, a 2% increase over last year. Sadly, 70% of those identified are not receiving VA benefits.

You can go to http://www.ethnn.org/ to learn more, including how you can help. There’s a meeting on the topic April 8 at the Salvation Army Center of Hope, 633 North Broadway.

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about Transportation issues in the community. Residents may provide input in two ways:· By sharing ideas for Transportation improvements on Tyler Speaks, an online forum hosted on the City of Tyler website. Go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on Tyler Speaks.

· At a Public Open House that will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 4 at the Tyler Senior Center, 1915 Garden Valley Road.

“What types of transportation improvements would you like to see in the City of Tyler?” is the Tyler Speaks question. These improvements can relate to vehicles, buses, bicycles, pedestrians, aviation, etc. Tyler Speaks is an online forum for civic engagement that was incorporated into the City of Tyler’s web site. Users may read what others are saying about important Tyler topics, and then post their own statements. City officials say they will read the statements and incorporate them into their decision process during the Tyler 1st Comprehensive Plan update.

Tyler 1st, originally Tyler 21, is the City’s comprehensive plan. You can visit http://www.cityoftyler.org/Departments/PlanningDepartment/ComprehensivePlan/Tyler21.aspx to view the original Tyler 21 Plan. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/ and click on the News tab to read more on this story.

TYLER — City of Tyler leaders are very pleased that TxDOT’s moving forward with a bid to fund control towers of 13 airports about to lose federal funding — including Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. City Engineer Carter Delleney told KTBB, “The city of Tyler feels it’s great news. This is obviously a very prudent measure on the part of TxDOT.”

The state transportation department announced Thursday that it intends to fund continued service of air traffic controllers when federal funding goes away as a result of sequestration, or budget cuts. That’s according to a TxDOT news release via KETK. TxDOT’s action is pending Texas Transportation Commission approval and will be acted upon in an emergency session next week. Delleney says he’s optimistic the commission will keep the Tyler control tower open.

“Safety is the primary reason we felt a need to take immediate action for the air travelers and business aircraft that use these airports,” said Commissioner Fred Underwood, Texas Transportation Commission. “I am proud of our leaders for taking this extraordinary measure to ensure that those relying on these municipal airports will be able to depart and arrive safely and efficiently.” TxDOT executive director Phil Wilson added, “Flying is an integral part of commerce in Texas. Local communities are counting on these airports to remain open for continued economic success.”

When automatic budget cuts from the federal government went into effect last month, Texas regional airports were caught in the cross hairs and were scheduled to lose funding for air traffic control service positions beginning April 7. Had this funding not been considered, officials say a degradation of safety in those flight operations could have occurred.

TYLER – A Canton police officer has been arrested on federal drug charges. Authorities say James Melvin Bradshaw, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday and charged with six counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation. Bradshaw was arrested yesterday morning and went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie Thursday afternoon for an initial appearance. According to the indictment, on six separate occasions from January to November 2012, Bradshaw is alleged to have used his position as a police officer to obtain hydrocodone by fraud, deception, or misrepresentation. Bradshaw is alleged to have acquired the hydrocodone from individuals who had legitimate prescriptions to possess the substance. If convicted, Bradshaw faces up to four years in federal prison on each charge.

TYLER — University Health Clinic (UHC), on the UT Tyler campus, held an open house Thursday to celebrate its expansion. UHC is a collaboration between UT Health Northeast (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler) and UT Tyler. It houses two clinics: the University Physician Associates (UPA) Clinic, which is open to the public, and the UT Tyler Student Health Clinic. UHC opened in spring 2006.

UT Health Northeast President Dr. Kirk Calhoun (pictured) told KTBB the expansion has “been very high on my radar; we’re very happy to have gotten that accomplished.” David Hullum, associate vice president for business development at UT Health Northeast, noted, “In the past three years, appointments at University Health Clinic have grown by 18 percent. With this $1.5 expansion, we can offer more services and allow for future growth.” UT Tyler President Dr. Rodney H. Mabry was among those on hand for the celebration, and he was upbeat about it as well.

The expansion increased the size of UHC from 10,000 square feet to 13,500 square feet. A new digital mammography suite, four new pediatric allergy exam rooms (for a total of 14 exam rooms, including a procedure room), and an expanded waiting area fill the 6,100 square feet of new and renovated space. The UPA Clinic offers services in family medicine, allergy care, rheumatology, and cardiology. Allergy testing, radiology, digital mammography, and laboratory services are provided on site. The student clinic is available to serve the health care needs of students enrolled at UT Tyler.

SMITH COUNTY — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) opened Segment 3B of Toll 49 Thursday evening at 6:00. Officials say it’s to allow holiday travelers the opportunity to use the entire 26 miles of Toll 49 just in time for the Easter weekend. They note that the toll road now connects to I-20 for the first time; the connection point is northwest of Tyler.

The Texas Transportation Commission approved the transfer of Toll 49 to the NET RMA from TxDOT in its February 28 meeting. With the opening of this segment, the NET RMA becomes the tolling agency responsible for operations, maintenance, and toll collection of Toll 49. As there had not been a toll rate increase since Segment 1 was opened in 2006, the toll rates now go up from 10 cents per mile to 12 cents per mile for passenger cars. All other classes of vehicle rates escalate accordingly as well. These rates are effective as of today. “This is a landmark day for East Texas. Revenues from Toll 49 will remain in East Texas to be used on future projects in the region,” stated Chair of the NET RMA Linda Thomas.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert is catching heat for an alleged dispute with United States Park Police officers over a March 13 parking ticket in Washington D.C. According to POLITICO, law enforcement reported Gohmert was “rude and irate.” It is also said Gohmert took the ticket off his windshield and put it on a police car along with his business card with a written message: “Oversight of Park Service is my job! Natural Resources Thus the Congressional Plate in window.” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the Congressional Ethics office against the Texas Republican for poor behavior as a congressman, stated the Houston Chronicle.

In an interview with KETK, Congressman Gohmert gave his side of the story. The congressman said he’s been parking in the area for years with no problems. “I take a lot of the people around the Capitol, as I’ve got time, I take them to a monument or two,” said Gohmert. “I’m not always able to do that. I’m on the National Resource Committee and I go down to Lincoln Memorial. People have complained from East Texas about the film under the Lincoln memorial and bird poop. I go down there quite a bit. For 8 years, I’ve been told by the national park service people, ‘No, you can park anywhere we park. If we can park there, Congressman, you can park there.’ They’ve always been very gracious and I’ve always gotten along great with them.”

According to Gohmert, he was at the memorial between 11 p.m. and midnight for about 15 minutes before he returned to find a ticket under his windshield wiper. That’s when the congressman spoke to a park officer to discuss the matter. Gohmert claims he was not out of control as media reports have speculated. “I didn’t think I was irate,” said Rep. Gohmert. “I don’t believe from what I’ve been told before that I’m supposed to get a ticket.” After showing his congressional plate to the officer, he handed him a card and offered to talk with him at anytime.

The Texas congressman told KETK he believes he’s not in the wrong, but would pay the $25 fine if proven otherwise. “And by the way, so far, what we’ve been able to find is probably the D.C. Code applies there,” said Gohmert. “And the code says a member of Congress may park in any available space in the District of Columbia. If I’m wrong, I’ll pay the ticket. Nobody is above the law, I don’t care who you are. I certainly believe that.” As for the organization who filed the complaint against Mr. Gohmert, he’s not surprised, saying the “leftist group” only comes after Republicans. “I guess it’s an honor for them to think I’m worthy of coming after,” stated the congressman.

TYLER — A pedestrian is hospitalized after being hit by a car. Shortly after 6:15 Thursday morning, the Tyler Police Department received information of the collision at the intersection of University and Gail in Tyler. Officers investigating the collision have determined that Jerry Daniel Chesshire, 21 years of age, stepped out into traffic and was struck by a vehicle. Chesshire was transported by ambulance to Mother Frances Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was not issued a citation. .

LONGVIEW — A longtime Longview activist dies after his battle with cancer. KETK reports Ed Bower died Monday at 77. He spent years patrolling the streets in his Pine Tree neighborhood, keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior. Those who knew him said he was a concerned member of the community who thought it was his duty to help neighbors and law enforcement.

TYLER — The 24th Annual Tyler Economic Development Council Investors and Contributors Appreciation Luncheon is just around the corner. It will be held Thursday, April 4, at Green Acres Baptist Church, from 11:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. Organizers say the purpose of the luncheon is to update investors and contributors on TEDC accomplishments and major activities during the past year. The featured guest speaker will be Tom Pauken, Immediate Past Commissioner representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission.

For additional information contact:

Tom Mullins, President/CEO
Tyler Economic Development Council
[email protected]
(903) 593-2004, x 246

Stephanye Petree, Admin. Assist.
Tyler Economic Development Council
[email protected]
(903) 593-2004 x 248

BULLARD — A Bullard man and his father are booked into the Smith County Jail following an altercation. After a standoff lasting several hours, Smith County Sheriff officials and Bullard Police officers arrested Justin Dewayne Davis, 29, Bullard, in the 21000 block of County Road 145. The incident started around 9:00 Tuesday night when a woman at the residence claimed that Davis was causing problems. Law enforcement arrived on scene and found Davis acting erratically. During the encounter, Davis threatened officers and deputies and then went into the house. Davis released two adult women and some children from the house, but refused to release two other children, ages six and seven.

After obtaining warrants, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team stormed the home and apprehended Davis without incident. The two children were unharmed and were released to their mother.

At one point, during the situation, Harold Dewayne Davis, 50, Davis’ father, attempted to pass through a roadblock in order to get to the house. He was arrested and charged with interference with public duties. His bond was set at $500.00. Justin Davis was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with additional charges pending. His bond was set at $750,000.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College athletic director anticipated possible trouble before a Navarro basketball game last month that culminated in a pepper spray incident. That’s included in a report on the incident issued by Kilgore College police and obtained through our news partner KETK. The report says a female Navarro employee complained about the behavior of some Kilgore students, remained angry, and was joined in her rant by other Navarro fans. Later, says the report, Kilgore students began to aggravate the Navarro bench — and Navarro players soon became angry, making verbal threats towards Kilgore fans. Authorities say the pepper spray was used by police after a Navarro player verbally threatened authorities.

In review, KCPD listed the following items as areas of improvement:
-Remove disruptive fans or employees from the gym
-Move non-basketball coaching staff closer to athletes for better monitoring
-Place more police officers at athletic events involving strong rivals, including an off duty Kilgore police officer
-Install cameras in the gym

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are seeking information in a robbery that occurred on Tuesday. KETK reports officers responded around shortly after 5:00 Tuesday afternoon to the 1700 block of South Henderson Boulevard. According to witnesses, an unknown man, described as being 5’10 to 5’11, wearing jeans with a dark sweatshirt, forcefully took a money bag containing a large sum of money from a woman before running eastbound through a parking lot toward South Henderson Boulevard.

When authorities arrived on scene, police, along with the help of a K-9, began searching for the robber on foot and in the air. The K-9 teams tracked the alleged thief through a wooded area and across a creek until the dog lost the scent near the intersection of Dwain Drive and Hays Street in Kilgore. No weapons were involved in the incident and no further information is available at this time. There were no other victims. Anyone with additional information is regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Kilgore Police Detective Tim Dukes. Information can also be provided anonymously by using Tip411 or Crime Stoppers.

TYLER (AP) – A 1941 Pearl Harbor victim’s Purple Heart found along a California road has been returned to his East Texas family thanks to a teacher and his students. Ken Hooper is a history and archives instructor at Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, Calif. Hooper was on hand Tuesday in Tyler for the presentation to survivors of Robert Bates. Kris Wilson of Edom says the medal will help her uncle’s memory live on. Relatives say the USS Arizona sailor’s Purple Heart was likely given to his mother but lost after she died in 1945. The medal was found last month by a trucker near a Veterans of Foreign War Post in Bakersfield. Hooper’s students doing computer research also learned some casualty lists wrongly spelled Robert Bates’ first name – as Tobert.

CADDO PARISH, LA. — A Minden, La., man is jailed for allegedly selling bogus newspaper ads in Louisiana and East Texas. According to Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator, David Dix, 61, went to several businesses in Louisiana and told them he worked for a local newspaper. He then reportedly sold ads and told workers they would appear in the June edition of the paper. When the ads did not appear, businesses contacted the paper and discovered they had been duped by Dix, according to authorities. Some of the businesses reportedly used checks to pay the suspect. In turn, he allegedly altered the checks by adding his name and is accused of cashing them for his own personal use.

KETK reports Dix was booked into Caddo Correctional Center on two counts of theft and one count of forgery. His bond was set at $75,000. The accused thief was brought to CCC from Desoto Parish, Louisiana, where he was being held on similar charges. He is awaiting transfer to other jurisdictions including Bossier, Claiborne, Jackson, and Bienville parishes, and Harrison County, Texas.

BEAUMONT – A 62-year-old Diboll woman has pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds. Melva Darlene Blakemore pleaded guilty to an Information charging her with theft of federal funds on Tuesday in Beaumont before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, in May of 2008, while Blakemore was employed as a Senior Investigator with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, she advised a woman receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance that she had been overpaid $2,520 on her Lone Star Card. Blakemore told the woman that if she did not repay the money, she would be indicted and prosecuted. Blakemore also advised the woman that if the money was paid in cash, with no receipt expected, Blakemore would send the money to someone she knew in Austin and that no charges would be filed.

The woman contacted local authorities who were able to observe her meeting Blakemore in a Nacogdoches parking lot. Blakemore left the parking lot and drove away with the money before stopping to deposit a portion of it into her bank account. The remainder of the money was found in her vehicle. Blakemore faces up to 10 years in federal prison and restitution of up to $31,008. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — The upcoming city council election in Tyler has been canceled. KETK reports that’s because all the candidates are unopposed. This won’t affect any other local elections, including the Tyler ISD bond election, which is scheduled for May 11.

TYLER — The John Tyler High School principal has been placed on administrative leave, according to Tyler ISD. KETK reports an interim principal has been named, but details are limited at this time. According to a statement from TISD, “John Tyler High School Principal Michael Timms is on administrative leave. As this is a personnel matter, state law limits the amount and nature of the information that can be shared at this time. Joe Coburn, director of secondary instruction, is currently serving as the interim principal at John Tyler High School. Tyler ISD wants to assure parents and the community that school has continued to operate without disruption.”

TYLER — Authorities say two Kansas men were arrested Friday by federal investigators for involvement in a multi-state dog fighting ring, including dog fights near Tyler. Saturday, according to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was asked to help with the investigation by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Pete Davis, Jr., 38, (pictured) and Melvin Robinson, 41, both of Kansas City, Kansas, were charged with one count of buying, selling and delivering dogs for participation in an animal fighting ring. The complaint says Davis and Robinson had as many as 60 dogs, mostly pit bulls, that they trained and took to dog fights. Officials say the dogs were kept at a farm in Harrison County, Missouri, and the suspects’ homes in Kansas City. The animals were reportedly taken to fights as far away as Dallas.

An FBI investigation that began in November 2012 allegedly revealed Robinson placed harnesses on dogs and chained them to a treadmill for several hours at a time to train them. Authorities say the treadmill was equipped with a plywood box to keep the dogs on the machine. Weights were also put on the dogs to strengthen them and there were caged live chickens in front of the treadmill as bait, according to officials. During the probe, law enforcement reportedly discovered dogs were killed during training and fighting and their bodies were thrown away.

On Sunday, March 17, the suspects reportedly held three dog fights involving six dogs at the farm in Missouri to prepare for a fight in Dallas. Robinson and Davis allegedly planned on betting $20,000 to $30,000 on a dog they were training for the fight scheduled for March 23. The fights are reportedly known as “dog shows.” After the dogs were collected by authorities, the ASPCA agreed to house and care for the animals.