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WILLS POINT — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal home invasion in Wills Point. Officials said they responded to the home on Van Zandt County Road 3415 around 1:00 Tuesday afternoon and found the reported suspect dead from a gunshot wound. He was identified as Gaylen St. John, 42, Canton. The homeowner suffered injuries from an altercation with the suspect and was transported to a near-by hospital. No arrests have been made. The Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation.

EAST TEXAS — Strong storms hit East Texas Tuesday afternoon, knocking out power for thousands of residents. KETK reports that at one point Tuesday afternoon, more than 2,500 East Texans were in the dark — the majority in Malakoff with about 1,900 customers affected. Approximately 600 people lost electricity in the Jacksonville area. Widespread damage was also reported in East Texas, with trees uprooted, limbs down, metal sheets tossed into trees, at least one large sign blown down — and even an RV turned over by strong winds.

KILGORE – Kilgore police have identified a suspect involved in the February 28th shooting that left one person critically injured. The suspect is 31 year old Demetrius Dirail Alex of Longview. He and another man are said to have exchanged gunfire at the Stone Creek Apartments in the 4000 block of Pine Burr Lane. One man used a used a 45-caliber pistol while the other pulled what was called a “machine pistol.” Investigators say the men discharged around 30 rounds. The shooting followed an argument at a store earlier that evening. The injured man, whose name has not been released, remains hospitalized at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Alex is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct. Additional charges may still be filed in the case.

TYLER – Smith County authorities are investigating their second game room robbery in as many days. The latest occurred around 4:00 Tuesday morning at Big Baby’s Game Room in the 13000 block of spur 364 west of Tyler. Two men had an employee empty the cash register and then demanded more cash, saying hey knew there had to be more. The employee then handed over an envelope containing money. Before leaving, they ransacked the office apparently looking for more cash. Continue reading Another Smith County Game Room Robbed

LUFKIN – A Lufkin teen is accused of using a deadly weapon against his dad. The weapon..a pickup. Glen Smallwood, Jr., 19, is said to have hit his dad with his truck. The incident happened shortly after 3:45 Tuesday morning at the Whataburger in the 400 block of North Timberland Drive. Lufkin police report the father suffered cuts and scrapes to his arm and lower back after being knocked onto the hood of the truck. His son, who left the restaurant, was arrested at his home. The attack is said to have occurred after the son got mad because his dad had taken his truck away. The teen has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon . Bond was set at $10,000.

LUFKIN (AP) – Police are investigating an East Texas animal cruelty case after a pregnant pet longhorn suffered slash wounds and had to be euthanized. Lufkin police on Monday announced the search for an attacker who possibly used a machete to cut the legs of the longhorn named Eve. Detective John Petty says the attack happened last week while Eve was in a pasture. A police statement says owner David Overdorf first noticed Eve lying in a front pasture and thought she had separated from the herd to have her calf. Overdorf checked the longhorn several hours later when he noticed she hadn’t moved. He discovered Eve had deep cuts on her back legs with the tendons severed. A veterinarian euthanized the cow. The unborn calf also died.

LONGVIEW — After many years of producing AlleyFest as one of the premier arts and music festivals in East Texas, the City of Longview has made what organizers term the difficult decision to cancel AlleyFest for 2016. According to KETK, the AlleyFest committee says The Longview Main Street program and the One Hundred Acres of Heritage Committee appreciate the support the event’s received over the years. Continue reading Longview Cancels 2016 AlleyFest

CHANDLER — Fire crews responded to a car fire at a gas station in Chandler. According to KETK, it started around 3:30 this morning at the Kid Jones on Highway 31. A woman was inside the car when the fire started but she was able to make it out of the vehicle without injury. The fire did damage the gas pumps and they will be shut off until they are deemed safe.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Half Cent Sales Tax Board holds an open house today as it continues its annual call for projects. The project call kicked off Feb. 9 and runs through Mar. 31. City staffers say it provides citizens, community leaders, the Half Cent Sales Tax Corporation Board, the Tyler City Council, and city of Tyler staff the opportunity to bring capital projects forward to be considered for Half Cent Sales Tax funding. The open house to gather public input is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room, on W. Ferguson Street across from City Hall. Continue reading Half Cent Sales Tax Open House Set; Call for Projects Continues

TYLER – Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a man responsible for a Smith County robbery. The robbery was shortly before 1:30 Monday morning at The Game Room, located in the 11000 block of Highway 64 East. Witnesses say the man walked into the business with a pistol and demanding cash. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. It is not know if he left by car or on foot. The suspect was described as a black male dressed in black and wearing a red bandana over his face. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Officials are reiterating a safety advisory about use of extension cords after a Longview home sustained heavy damage in two overnight fires. KETK reports crews responded around 11:05 Sunday night to 705 Idylwood Dr. Heavy fire was found in the master bedroom upon arrival. The fire was extinguished without injury to firefighters, and the occupant was not home. The blaze originated in the master bedroom as a result of an extension cord being used to power a speaker and entertainment center. The extra portion of the extension cord was coiled up. Continue reading House Fires Prompt Safety Advisory

TYLER — Heavy damage is reported in a two-alarm fire early Monday morning at a house at 215 E. Fifth Street in Tyler. Fire officials say crews arrived to find the house fully involved and vented through the roof. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately forty minutes. The house was vacant at the time, and no injuries have been reported. The Tyler Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating the origin and cause. More info will be posted as it becomes available, according to officials.

LONGVIEW — Longview police will be increasing their DWI, speed, and seatbelt enforcement efforts over the next couple of weeks due to Spring Break and continuing that additional enforcement throughout the summer. According to a news release, additional officers will be working the streets with the sole purpose of locating impaired drivers, vehicle occupants not wearing their seatbelts, and motorists who exceed the speed limit. Officers will be paid with funds provided by the Texas Department of Transportation for a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. These grants provide funding to police agencies across the state to put more officers on the streets looking for violators. Continue reading Longview Police: Drink, Drive, Go to Jail

SMITH COUNTY — A 2-year-old child has died from her injuries after she was ran over in her driveway Sunday afternoon. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s office, just after 1:30, the driver and two passengers were leaving the residence on County Road 2323, near Whitehouse, when the girl was hit by the van. She was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle, then flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas with life threatening injuries. She died a short time later. An autopsy has been ordered and the investigation is ongoing.

WHITEHOUSE — A Smith County toddler has died after being run over by a van. The accident happened around 1:30 Sunday afternoon in a driveway in the 18000 block of County Road 2323 near Whitehouse. The two year old girl was first taken to a local hospital by private vehicle. She was later flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas with what was described as life threatening injuries. The hospital later reported the girl had died. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, the driver and two passengers in the van that ran over the child were reported to be on the way to the grocery store when the incident occurred. Names have not been released. The accident remains under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — A Young Smith County girl is in critical condition after being run over by a van. The accident happened around 1:30 Sunday afternoon in a driveway in the 18000 block of County Road 2323 near Whitehouse. The two year old girl was first taken to a local hospital by private vehicle. She was later flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas with life threatening injuries. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, the driver and two passengers in the van that ran over the child were reported to be on the way to the grocery store when the incident occurred. Names have not been released. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER – TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Weeks of March 7 and 14. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Smith County construction projects updates:
FM 1253 Widening Project
*Limits: From County Road 462 south, 1.3 miles north of FM 857 south to FM 1805; FM 1804 from Wood County line to US 69; FM 2015 from CR 313 to FM 16
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
*Cost: $7.5 million
Pavement repair work is set to begin on FM 1253 while the contractor will also address the structures on FM 2015. Expect lane closures at both locations. No work is scheduled for FM 1804. This contract consists of widening, sealing and resurfacing all three roadways. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

QUITMAN — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a case of severe child abuse which left an infant with a multitude of fractured bones and her father behind bars. According to KETK, the sheriff’s office says a 2-month-old girl arrived at a Qutiman hospital with four fractured ribs on each side of her chest and a fractured right humerus, or upper arm bone. The child was moved to Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, February 23, for further evaluation. Doctors in Dallas determined the infant had 19 fractured bones and additional bruising on her body. The child is now in Child Protective Services custody. CPS and Wood County investigators are working the case together. Continue reading Infant Suffers Numerous Broken Bones, Father Arrested

BULLARD – Brook Hill High School Athletic Director Wally Dawkins has announced that Scott Ryle has been named as the new Head Football Coach at the school. After receiving over 80 applications, resumes, and letters of interest, Ryle was selected to succeed Bobby Brasher. He retired from the post last December. Brasher will remain at Brook Hill as Dean of Students. Continue reading New Coach Heading to Brook Hill

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman, involved in a 2014 crash that injured two sanitation workers, has been sentenced to prison. Appearing in State District Court on Friday, Susan Skinner, 47, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for intoxication assault with a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. In June of 2014, Skinner’s car rear ended a sanitation truck on Alpine Road. Two workers were seriously injured, one whose left leg had to be amputated. Skinner was arrested in connection with the accident nearly a year later.

GLADEWATER — A local agency has assumed ownership of some horses recently taken from their owner. Last week, the 9 horses were seized from a Gladewater residence after allegedly being cruelly treated; one later died. KETK reports that since then, Safe Haven Equine Rescue has been nursing the surviving horses back to health. This week, the agency went to court against the owner, who reportedly left the horses malnourished. The judge decided to hand over the horses, and give ownership to Safe Haven. Continue reading Safe Haven Equine Rescue Gets Custody of Seized Horses

TYLER – A company has been selected to build another portion of Toll Road 49. At their monthly board meeting, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority picked one of the state’s largest transportation companies to build segment 4 of Toll 49 northwest of Tyler. The Board selected Webber, LLC, the lowest bidder at $68.7million, for the construction of a 6.6-mile segment that stretches from Interstate Highway 20 to U.S. Highway 69 North of Lindale. Also called the Lindale Relief Route, it will be a 2-lane undivided road, projected to be completed in 2018.

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas School Board candidate is making news for her bizarre statements. Former teacher Mary Lou Bruner wrote, “Obama has a soft spot for homosexuals because of the years he spent as a male prostitute in his twenties, that’s how he paid for his drugs.” The Republican also said school shootings started after school started teaching evolution. SMU Political Scientist Matthew Wilson says she’s elected, it will be a black eye for the state. Wilson thinks the 68-year-old will win, partly because many are not familiar with candidates in downballot elections. And he says if that happens, people outside Texas and the south will ridicule the state. Bruner took 48 percent of the vote against Dr. Kevin Ellis Tuesday. He’s been on the Lufkin School Board for four years. She’s painting him as the establishment candidate. There will be a runoff.

TYLER – It appears as if there is no let up in construction in Tyler. 2016 appears to be picking up where 2015 left off. The city issued building permits last year totaling around 157-million dollars. This came on the strength of 392 residential and commercial building permits. This easily surpassed the 2014 figures which saw around 100-million dollars in construction. This was generated by 279 building permits Director of Pplanning for the City of Tyler, Heather Nick says 2016 is off to a good start. Last year, 69 commercial building permits were issued. This year 35 commercial building permits are already on the books.

TYLER – Spring break is next week. The Better Business is warning about a grandparent scam, which is popular during spring break. It starts with a call from someone claiming to be the person’s grandson or granddaughter who is in trouble and needs money. Once that money is wired, it’s gone and can’t be recovered. Kaylen Burgess with the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas says this has proven to be an extremely lucrative con for scammers because the scam preys on the love of a grandparent for their grandchildren. Continue reading A Spring Break Scam Aimed at Grandparents

PALESTINE – A mass murder suspect in Anderson County has pleaded not guilty to capital murder. At his arraignment, William Mitchell Hudson, 33, entered the plea to three counts of capital murder. He is accused of killing six persons last November. Four of the victims were discovered in a pond behind the suspect’s home on County Road 2217. The other two were found dead in a travel trailer near the site, located between Tennessee Colony and the Harmony Community. So far, a trial date has not been set. And there is no word from the district attorney’s office on if the death penalty will be sought. Continue reading Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

LONGVIEW — A Longview convicted felon returned to jail for the second time this year on a new felony charge. KETK reports Longview police arrested 28-year-old Brandon Ray Williams Sunday on felony possession. He was taken to the Gregg County jail, where he posted bond. Williams was already out on bond for a January 15 arrest for evading arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, marijuana possession, and assaulting a Longview police officer. Williams served a five-year prison sentence for a 2010 conviction for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.