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FLINT – A home in southern Smith County has been damaged by fire. It is believed to have been started by lightening. The blaze was reported around 11:00 Tuesday morning in the 3000 block of Yasmeen Circle in Flint. No injuries were reported.

MELROSE – A car hydroplaning on a road in Nacogdoches County is responsible for a wreck that killed one person and injured one. Killed when she lost control of her car was Ruby Scroggins, 44, San Augustine. Injured was the other driver, Glen Morton, 60, also from San Augustine. The accident occurred around 9:00 Tuesday morning on State Highway 21 East just over a mile from Melrose.

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of Transportation reports several East Texas roadways are either closed or under observation for high water following Tuesday’s rain event. Travel is discouraged on each of the listed roadways, and not allowed on roadways listed as closed:

Henderson County
FM 2636 between FM 3441 and the end of state maintenance, closed to thru-traffic

Van Zandt County
FM 47 between IH 20 and FM 1651;
FM 857 between US 80 in Grand Saline and FM 1253, closed to thru-traffic;
FM 859 between US 80 in Edgewood and FM 1395;
FM 1652 between FM 17 south of Grand Saline and FM 1255;
FM 1861 between SH 19 south of Canton and FM 2339;
SH 110 between US 80 in Grand Saline and FM 1255, closed to thru-traffic

Wood County
FM 69 between SH 37 in Quitman and FM 515, closed to thru-traffic

Counties not listed in this report have no closed roadways or roadways under travel advisories.For a list of statewide highway conditions, click here http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions.htm or call TxDOT’s 24-hour travel hotline at 1-800-453-9292.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say a motor home caught fire while driving on I-20 Tuesday afternoon just west of Highway 110. According to KETK, all of the passengers were able to escape the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. All westbound lanes were closed for a time, but the accident was cleared and those lanes reopened by late afternoon.

TYLER — Tyler and Longview are among 12 Texas cities on the March National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement in housing permits, employment, and house prices for at least six consecutive months. The IMI listed more improving markets in Texas than any other state. “The point is that economic conditions have been consistently strengthening in a diverse array of individual markets nationwide,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg. Other markets in Texas that made the list included Austin, San Antonio, Amarillo, Dallas, Laredo, McAllen, Midland, Odessa and Victoria.

“As the economy is improving, our builders are seeing more and more clients who may have been watching and waiting for the last few years,” said Libby Simmons, executive vice-president of the Tyler Area Builders Association (TABA). “These numbers are a continuing sign that things are improving.” In fact, the number of houses in TABA’s upcoming 59th Annual Parade of Homes has increased significantly over last year. TABA officials say that signals additional strength in the Tyler area.

WOODLAWN — Authorities have arrested one person in connection with a fire that destroyed the Woodlawn Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Harrison County on February 22. The blaze burned down the building, located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Farm Road 1997, late that night. Information related to several fires in the Woodlawn area led authorities to the arrest of 17-year old Dylan Morgan, of the Chaparral Ranch subdivision just west of Highway 59. According to KETK, Morgan is currently charged with arson, and additional offenses could be added.

MARSHALL — Harrison County deputies are investigating an incident in which a 9-year old allegedly stabbed a man. According to KETK, it happened Monday night shortly after 8:00 in the 6200 block of Farm Road 9 South. Harrison County 911 operators received a call regarding a stabbing victim needing assistance as he was driving himself to a hospital. He was told to stop until deputies and medical personnel arrived at his location. When authorities made it to him, it was discovered that the person had a stab wound to his back. The victim was identified as 24-year old J.V. Wilkins III.

Wilkins told deputies the incident had happened about 15-20 minutes earlier at a house on FM 9 South. Deputies released the victim to medical personnel and returned to the address given and found several people at the scene. During interviews, law enforcement learned the victim had come to the residence seeking his ex-girlfriend, 26-year old Stephanie Powell, and her new boyfriend, Joe Lewis. Authorities say when he arrived, an argument started after the victim allegedly jumped on the hood of the car belonging to Ms. Powell and made a statement about getting a gun and “shooting you”. The remark was believed to have been made to the ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. Ms. Powell told deputies Wilkins had been texting her repeatedly making threats, and she knew the victim carried a gun.

According to authorities, the 9-year old son of Ms. Powell came into the house after the victim left and admitted to his mother that he had just stabbed Wilkins before he drove away. The mother says she did not see the stabbing and never saw her son with a knife. Wilkins was flown to a Shreveport hospital. His condition is unknown. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Sheriff officials tell KETK, Deputy Frank Lindsey was involved in a wreck Tuesday morning. Officials say it happened around 7:00 about a mile west of Maydelle on Hwy. 84. Deputy Lindsey reportedly hit a patch of water and hydroplaned off the road into a patch of trees. Cherokee County officials say Lindsey was injured in the accident but was able to stand up while emergency crews were on scene. He was taken to a Jacksonville hospital with possible broken bones but is expected to be released shortly.

SMITH COUNTY — The investigation into the Smith County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office has taken a new turn. And that turn involves the appointment of a Special Prosecutor. Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham confirmed to KETK that he will ask Longview attorney Lance Larison to take over the investigation of Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust. Bingham says he wants to avoid any hint of favoritism in the case, but Constable Rust had a different view.

The case revolves around private security patrols that were provided by the Precinct 3 office for the Woods subdivision. Peace officers are allowed to do private security work, within certain limits. Rust says it ties to County Commissioner Cary Nix and his investigation into wrongdoing in Whitehouse. Bingham says three of the deputies have cooperated with the probe and admitted their guilt. Rust is seeking reelection and his father Donn Rust is running for Sheriff.

EAST TEXAS — Leverett’s Chapel ISD class time has been delayed until 10:00 Tuesday morning due to a power outage. School officials tell KETK, unless they get power back the school can not start.

JACKSONVILLE (AP) – Dallas chose brightly painted winged horses. San Angelo opted for decorated images of sheep. Backers of an East Texas city hope artwork shaped like a big vegetable will help promote the community’s 28th annual Tomato Fest. More than 30 of the unpainted tomato-shaped hunks of concrete arrived Monday in Jacksonville. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports the 665-pound tomatoes were moved from the Corpus Christi area to GME Inc. The business will store the tomato likenesses until they are purchased by individuals or companies for decorating. No price has been set for the tomatoes, which are available through the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Organizer Randy Gorham says the goal is to inspire community pride.

LINDALE – The sanctuary of the Hideaway Community Church near Lindale has been destroyed by fire. The fire on the 1100 block of Lake Cross Road was reported around 3:30 yesterday morning. While the fire was contained to the sanctuary, the church’s Family Life Center suffered smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A Hughes Springs man died Monday after he wrecked during a medical emergency. KETK reports it happened at around 2:15 p.m. on Airline Drive. Officials say the driver veered onto the Longview High School campus, and then back onto Airline and into the woods. Robert Reynolds, 86, was found dead in his car. It is unclear what the medical emergency was at this time, and officials have not determined if his death was caused by the wreck or the medical emergency.

CHAPEL HILL – One person has been killed and two injured in a two vehicle accident east of Chapel Hill. The wreck was reported shortly after 4:45 Tuesday morning on Highway 64 at Farm Road 2607. Killed was Billy Donahue Norman, 46 of Troup. He was a passenger in a car driven by Lindsey Jean Barton of Troup. She is listed in critical condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The driver of the other vehicle, Jesus Alvarado of Tyler, is in stable condition at ETMC. The Department of Public Safety reports Barton’s car was south bound on Farm road 2607 and pulled out into the path of Alvarado’s pickup.

TYLER – An abandoned building north of Tyler has been damaged by fire. It was reported at the intersection of U.S. Highway 271 and Laney Road. It was said to have started from a trash fire outside the building. High winds blew debris inside the structure, catching the building on fire.

TYLER — A long-time banker in the Tyler area, Gay L. Smith, has been chosen as President-Elect of the Tyler Independent School District Foundation, Inc. Smith, who is the President for Austin Bank’s Old Bullard Road location, has served as Vice President-Development; Treasurer, and member of the Grants Committee, Nominations, Committee, and Events Committee. Smith began her volunteer work with the Foundation as a Junior League of Tyler, Inc. placement volunteer along with the Junior League’s grant for teacher incentive grants.

According to Smith, “The reason I volunteer for the Tyler ISD Foundation is because my Mom was a teacher. I know how hard teachers work; and how many times they spend their own money to make sure the students get to do the special projects that normal funding does not allow.”

HENDERSON – Counterfeit money has been turning up in the Henderson area in large numbers. So far, authorities have recovered around $10,000 worth of fake $100 bills. Lieutenant Craig Sweeney with the Henderson Police Department tells KETK many of the fake bills came from a 79 year old man. He said he claimed he didn’t know the bills were counterfeit, which Sweeny says is possible since the elderly are often victims of such schemes. The Henderson Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating.

TYLER — Last summer’s historic drought is still causing a lot of damage. According to KETK, foundations of many houses in East Texas are having to be repaired because of the heavy toll the sun took on the soil last year. Along with that, people are starting to see their lawns taken over by weeds because of the drought.

NACOGDOCHES — That very controversial “One State under God” license plate, approved by a sharply divided Motor Vehicle Commission last fall, is now on sale. The so-called “Calvary Hill” license plate shows three crosses. It will benefit the glory gang, a youth ministry in Nacogdoches founded by Pastor Richard Konderla. Konderla describes his ministry as “Sunday school on steroids.” He says so many different vanity plates are now offered by the state, he never thought that one allowing motorists to proclaim their belief in Jesus would be so controversial.

TYLER — Smith County is seeking public opinion on possible changes to the County’s current policy on the installation, repair and maintenance of culverts in private driveways and county right of way. Smith County currently installs culverts in the right of way at the site of new homes and businesses. Landowners purchase the culvert pipe and county crews install it. After the initial installation, the county continues to repair and replace damaged culverts.

A public hearing on proposed changes to this policy was held in Commissioners Court this morning. Go to http://www.smith-county.com to view the full proposed culvert policy. County residents who were not able to attend the public hearing are encouraged to call, write or email to the Smith County Commissioners Court with comments. You can send comments via email to [email protected] or call your commissioner directly:

Commissioner Pct. 1 Jeff Warr – 903-590-4601
Commissioner Pct. 2 Cary Nix – 903-590-4602
Commissioner Pct. 3 Terry Phillips – 903-590-4603
Commissioner Pct. 4 JoAnn Hampton – 903-590-4604

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities say three people have been arrested on drug charges. On March 14th, around 9:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies served a felony warrant at an address on County Road 3604. A woman identified as Debra White was taken into custody. Officers say they noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the master bedroom. The officers then took into custody Donnie Lynn Addison. Officers observed a baggie of white crystal type substance inside a can. Deputies were given both a verbal and a written consent to search the residence by White and another man, Randall Sharp, who was also taken into custody. Officials say numerous baggies of a white substance, as well as marijuana, scales, and cash, were seized.

All three suspects were booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Addison was charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility – alcohol/drug/phone/tobacco and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Sharp was charged with manufacture/delivery and theft of property. White was charged with manufacture/delivery and with possession of a controlled substance. Addison and Sharp remain in the Van Zandt County Jail at this time.

JACKSONVILLE – One person is in custody and the investigation is continuing into a Cherokee County shooting death. The body of Martha Caselin Ramirez, 42, of Jacksonville, was found in a wooded area on County Road 4201 near Jacksonville. She appears to have been shot at least twice.

Jose Diaz Perez, 48, Jacksonville, was arrested after he called 911 to report that he had just shot someone. They believe the shooting occurred inside his pickup. Perez remains in the Cherokee County Jail with bond set at $1 million.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been charged with injury to a child. Police responded to East Texas Medical Center in reference to a 1-year-old with a blood alcohol of over .2. The child was flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Tyler Investigators were advised by Child Protective Services that they expected the child, identified as Demarion Crow, to be released from the Hospital in Dallas soon. Child Protective Services will take control of the boy during the investigation.

Ronchekal Demune Yon, 25 was arrested Saturday at his residence at 1113 North Moore. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of injury to a child, a 3rd degree felony. His bond was set at $100,000.

According to online Smith County Judicial records, Yon has a criminal history with charges including burglary of a habitation and theft.

EAST TEXAS — One person is dead and at least two others are injured after a pair of early Monday morning wrecks on East Texas highways. According to KETK, the first was a head-on crash between two vehicles at around 4:30 am on Highway 110 near CR 412. One of the vehicles involved flipped, pinning the driver in. That driver was taken to an area hospital by helicopter and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the other vehicle was also transported to an area hospital, but the extent of their injuries is not known.

Just a half-hour later, around 5:00, one person was killed in a wreck on Highway 64 east at CR 230, east of Chapel Hill. The highway was briefly closed as a helicopter landed to transport the victim to a local hospital. The highway has since reopened. No word on any other injuries.

Names have not been released.

TYLER – A Tyler burglary suspect is in custody. He was arrested around 8:45 Sunday night in the 500 block of East Line Street. A witness called 911 to report a man breaking into a home at 521 East Line. Sgt Paul Robeson says, when officers arrived, they caught John Hardy, 71, leaving the home. He was said to have been carrying electronic equipment that belonged to the resident. He was charged with residential burglary and booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Mother Frances Hospital observes its 75th anniversary with several events, including a strong nod to the infamous New London School explosion on March 18, 1937. That tragic event resulted in 298 deaths and numerous injuries, and prompted the hospital to open a day earlier than planned. According to hospital spokesman John Moore, “Because of that, we will forever share a kinship with the people of New London and those who were injured and lost.” This afternoon, the hospital scheduled a public signing of “Gone at 3:17,” a book about the New London event. Co-author David Brown was joined at Mother Frances’s Wisenbaker Conference Center by Jimmie (Jordan) Robinson, a student who survived the blast.

TYLER — State Senator Kevin Eltife will have an opponent in November. Northeast Texas native Steve Russell of Tyler will run unopposed in the Democratic Primary for Texas State Senate District 1. Russell says he “believes this sets the stage for an informative campaign that was missing from the 2010 elections,” when Eltife ran unopposed in the general election. One of Russell’s key campaign concerns is education. He says he’ll “work toward educating students for life instead of ‘teaching to the test.’” Other concerns Russell mentions include health care, immigration policy, and elderly care.

Russell, who has a career background in education and insurance, is executive director of “Empowering Texas Youth.” He describes that agency as “a non-profit that educates mentors in ways to help children and youth avoid destructive behaviors and become caring, successful adults.” As a volunteer, among other things, Russell has served as chairman of the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway early in the week, followed by applying a seal coat in the same location later in the week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 in Noonday and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Daytime lane closures will be in effect on the project while the work is in progress.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 294 west of Elkhart between Farm Road 322 and Farm Road 1990, and on U.S. Highway 79 near Westwood High School. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 3056 between U.S. Highway 80 east of Mineola and Farm Road 778. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application this summer. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 177 and Farm Road 3052 in the Mixon area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 859 in Edgewood between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 1395, on Farm Road 1395 north of Edgewood, and on Farm Road 47 south of Interstate Highway 20. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 31 in Malakoff, followed upon completion by the same work in the curb-and-gutter section of State Highway 198 in Malakoff. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 95 between State Highway 315 and U.S. Highway 84 east of Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WHITEHOUSE – One person is in custody in connection with a Smith County death. Sandy Greenhall was found Friday night shot to death on the front porch of a house on County Road 2171. The home owner, Larry Joe Smith, 57, first told sheriff’s deputies he shot Greenhall as she was breaking into his home. Investigators say after Smith changed his story several times about the shooting of his ex-girlfriend, they charged him with murder. His bond has been set at $1 million.

TYLER — The Tyler Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce honored several individuals, organizations, and businesses during its Heritage Business Dinner at the Rose Garden Center. Here’s a list of honorees:
– Henry Miller Morgan “Business of the Year”: S&S Select Choice Vending
– Unity Award: Rev. Charles Faulks, pastor of North Star Missionary Baptist Church
– Ernest Sterling Award: A. Philip Randolph Institute
– Hattie Wright New Business Award: Crimson Door
– Community Re-Investment Award: Lee’s Construction
– Ernest Deckard Community Image Award: (tie) Gamma Omicron Omega
Chapter – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Tyler Alumnae Chapter – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
– Pillar of the Community Business Award — Cole-Brooks Enterprises/Club Skyy Social Club Inc. – James Cole
– Community Ambassador Award — Clifton Roberson
– Sibbie Jones-Waits Community Service Award — LaQueta Timmons

You can go to http://www.tylermetrochamber.com for more information about the Metro Chamber.