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LONGVIEW — The Longview home where a man was found fatally shot late Friday was owned by a woman whose home was set on fire early Sunday morning, online appraisal district records show. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The 12th Street house where Tony Bernard Nelson, 20, was found shot is owned by Ayannia Tian Donahue, according to Gregg County Appraisal District online records. The home was a known drug location, Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said Tuesday. Continue reading Possible Drug, Gang Links Explored in Longview Homicide, Fires

LONGVIEW — Company officials confirmed Thursday that Kmart in Longview will close March 13. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the announcement comes from Howard Riefs, spokesman for Sears Holdings, corporate parent of Sears and Kmart stores. The store has 58 employees, most of whom are part-time and hourly. Riefs said some eligible staffers will receive severance “and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores.” Continue reading Longview Kmart Closing in March

TYLER — Liberty Hall has upgraded its online ticketing platform, making the purchase of online tickets even easier for customers, according to a City of Tyler news release. The new platform, Vendini, is termed a leading provider of cloud-based event ticketing and logistics software. Through Vendini, the customer will no longer need to create an online account and password to make a purchase. Continue reading Liberty Hall Introduces New Ticketing System

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has appointed Animal Services Manager Shawn Markmann as the Local Rabies Control Authority. City officials cite Markmann’s “extensive knowledge related to rabies control rules and regulations.” When the city resumed animal control operations last year, it was necessary to appoint a new Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) per the Texas Health and Safety Code. At that time, the City Council appointed city Code Enforcement Manager Chris Lennon as the new LRCA. Since then the city has hired an animal shelter manager whom officials term highly qualified to perform the required LRCA duties.

LINDALE — A toddler has been found safe after a kidnapping Wednesday evening. According to KETK, Lindale police recovered 3 year old Caidyn Arterberry after she was kidnapped by Stedman Arterberry around 8:00 Wednesday night. Police arrested Arterberry early Thursday morning on a felony arrest warrant.

EDGEWOOD — A large pasture fire in Van Zandt County has been extinguished. KETK reports some 70 acres were burned in the fire northwest of Edgewood. While some homes were threatened by the blaze, no homes were damaged. There were no injuries. There is no word on how the fire started.

TYLER — The public is invited to an open house to be held Thursday by the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in an effort to update the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). According to a news release, the Tyler Area MPO is responsible for transportation planning within the Tyler Metropolitan Area, which includes Tyler, Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Whitehouse, and Bullard. The purpose of the TIP is to list the transportation improvements that are scheduled to be implemented within the 2015 through 2018 fiscal years. The update includes the construction of 4.2 miles of a 12 feet wide hike and bike path called the Legacy Trail. Continue reading Transportation Improvement Program Open House

TYLER – A 39-year-old Lake Charles, Louisiana, man has been sentenced in Tyler to ten years in federal prison for his role in a Nigerian mail fraud scheme. Heesham Broussard a/k/a “Sudan,” was found guilty by a jury in July 2015 of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Broussard was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,700 to the victims of the offenses. Continue reading Louisiana Man Sentenced to Prison in Nigerian Mail Fraud Scheme

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of shots fired Tuesday at a mobile home. According to KETK, the Sheriff’s Office says around 2:24 p.m., deputies responded to a deadly conduct call on County Road 4156. Authorities discovered someone fired a shot through the wall of a mobile home into a bathroom and pierced a pipe. No one was injured, and no arrests have been made.

HARRISON COUNTY — A multi vehicle accident in Harrison County has left one person dead. The wreck occurred around 8:45 Wednesday morning when a car traveling west in the east bound lanes of Interstate Highway 20, just over a mile east of Longview, collided headon with a Ford F-650 truck. Dead at the scene was Christine Johnson, 63, of Homer, Louisiana. The driver of the truck, and the driver of the truck he swerved into trying to avoid the accident, were not injured.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department is investigating multiple fires which are believed to have been “intentionally set” late Tuesday and early Wednesday. KETK reports the first three fires crews responded to were on Tuesday night. The string of fires began at about 8:39 p.m. when firefighters were dispatched to Twelfth Street near the Wells Street intersection for a house fire. Officials said a hallway, closet, and bedroom were damaged. Continue reading Official: 4 Longview Fires “Intentionally Set”

TYLER — Due to a failed drainage culvert and street washout, the City of Tyler Street & Stormwater Management has closed a section of West 33rd Street at the railroad tracks (between the 1300 & 1400 block area). City officials say “No Thru Traffic” signs are posted to the east of the work zone at Carter Boulevard and West 33rd Street and to the southwest at Commonwealth Drive and Ada Avenue. Residents to the east of the railroad tracks will have access to their property from Carter Boulevard. Residents to the west of the railroad tracks will have access to their property from Commonwealth Drive. The closure will remain in effect till further notice, with officials saying they hope to get the work done as quickly as possible.

TYLER — Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton and Precinct 1 Constable Henry Jackson will host a town hall meeting to help community churches understand the new Open Carry Law, which went into effect January 1. According to a county news release, leaders of 75 churches in and around their precincts have been invited to the meeting. It’s set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, at the Smith County R.B. Hubbard Facility, “The Hub,” on E. Ferguson Street in downtown Tyler. Hampton and Jackson say they want to make sure church leaders and congregations know their rights when it comes to allowing or not allowing people to carry guns openly in churches in East Texas. Continue reading Town Hall Meeting on Open Carry Set for Local Churches

TYLER — The Women in Tyler Planning Committee has announced its 2016 honorees: Debra Davis, Regina Davis, Gayle Helms, Maxine Herbst, Gillian Sheridan, and Astilma Vargas. Event co-chair Tamma Isabell says the committee asked for nominations from the public in August that fit the 2016 theme, Women With a Cause. In a news release, event co-chair Louellen Lowe, says the honorees “have cared for our youth, energized women to get life-saving mammograms, provided for beloved pets of the elderly, restored significant pieces of history in Tyler, and challenged us all to consider adoption.” Continue reading Women in Tyler Announces Honorees for Upcoming Luncheon

CHEROKEE COUNTY — New info about the man who reportedly walked into an East Texas church with a weapon in October. A court ordered psychological evaluation of Rasheed Abdul Aziz, 40, was recently completed in Fort Worth. Doctors found Aziz did not appear to suffer from any mental issues that would impair his ability to understand what he was doing. Therefor, Aziz is mentally competent to stand trial. Continue reading Man Accused of Threatening Church Deemed Competent

GILMER — One person is dead and another has been hospitalized following a plane crash in Upshur County. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a single-engine Cessna 172 carrying two people crashed shortly before midnight near Gilmer. According to KETK, the crash is located just west of Highway 271, near Eagle Road. The deceased pilot, also the registered owner of the plane, has been identified as Samuel Oliver Lucky, 73, of Gladewater. His wife, Pamela Rickman Lucky, 57 was flown to a Tyler hospital and is reported to be in critical condition. Continue reading Gladewater Man Killed in Upshur County Plane Crash

HALLSVILLE — A man has been killed in Harrison County when pulled into a concrete pumping machine. The accident happened around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon at a home construction site on Walkers Mill Road in Hallsville. Fellow workers say for some reason, it appeared that the man had reached into the machine and was pulled into it. He was killed by the blades in the machine. His name will be released after relatives are notified.

TYLER — Plans have been finalized for the 29th annual Cattle Barons’ Gala in Tyler. The annual event, this year entitled “Two Step, One Cure,” is to remind us that two steps forward help us toward one cure. The headline entertainer this year will be Grammy Award winning artist, Vince Gill. The plans for the annual fundraising event benefiting the American Cancer Society were announced last night at a kick-off event. The event’s honorary chair is the Jim Denson family, who has served as a friend and volunteer for the American Cancer Society and many other area causes for many years. Since Tyler’s first Gala in 1988, thousands of volunteers have raised over 10 million dollars for cancer research, education and patient services. Continue reading Vince Gill at the Cattle Barons’ Gala

RUSK — A nurse in Cherokee County is going to prison for the sexual assault of an elderly woman in a nursing home. Ernest Palmer, 63, was found guilty Tuesday of the assault that occurred in December 2013 in Rusk. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The victim was a 79 year old woman who had physical limitations and dementia.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s Office is looking for a pair of theft suspects. They are believed to have stolen a wallet at a local gas station, and went to a local store where they used a stolen credit card. They are identified as Chelsea Leanne Remedies and James Dempsey Martin, who also goes by LD Martin. Continue reading Pair of Theft Suspects Sought

TYLER — One person has been indicted in connection with a November 1st fire that either destroyed or extensively damaged 8 units of a Lindale apartment complex. The Smith County Grand Jury has indicted Tiffany Lashay Collins, 26, a resident of one of the apartments. She is said to have admitted to a deputy county fire marshal that she had started the fire. Continue reading Lindale Woman Indicted in Arson Fire

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners have recognized the First Baptist Church in Whitehouse for the work it is doing for local children. Church members Tony Black and Christi Sowell were presented with a resolution today, proclaiming January 12, as “Grace EmBEDed Day,” for the more than 40 beds their ministry has built for kids served by Child Protective Services of Smith County. Commissioner Cary Nix said he wanted to recognize the church for going above and beyond for their community. Continue reading Whitehouse Ministry Recognized

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler graduate nursing programming is recognized as being the best in Texas by U.S. News and World Report. The announcement comes from UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry in a UTT news release. In the 2016 “Best Online Nursing Programs” edition, UT Tyler master’s and doctoral degree programs are ranked seventh nationwide out of all online graduate nursing programs surveyed. The university moves up two rankings from last year’s report to achieve the top spot among all Texas institution listed. In the news release, Mabry calls the recognition “a great honor” and says UTT nursing programs “have long been a cornerstone of excellence” at his institution. Continue reading UTT Grad Nursing Ranked Tops in Texas by U.S. News

LONGVIEW — The new Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center is set to open in June. But KETK reports that when it does, the Humane Society of Northeast Texas might have to close. The animals from the Humane Society will be moved to the new facility. Now the Humane Society is looking at selling its building, or possibly running it as a foundation under a board of directors. The society’s also considering using it as a spay-and-neuter or vaccination clinic. The Humane Society board and new shelter personnel plan to sit down together before the opening to discuss all of their options.

WHITEHOUSE — Thieves broke into several vehicles in the Whitehouse area over the weekend. KETK reports all of the targeted vehicles were on Pennsylvania Road and appeared to be unlocked. Thieves got away with money and other items left in the vehicles. No arrests have been made at this time. If You have information, you’re asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has charged a teenager with online solicitation of a minor under 14 and aggravated sexual assault of a child. He is identified as Bradley Dillon Parmer, 18, of Harrison County. His bonds total $200,000. The investigation began when authorities were told the teen had been communicating with a child younger than 14 in an inappropriate manner. Parmer was supposedly sending sexually explicit messages and nude photographs of himself to the child. When questioned by authorities, Parmer was said to have confessed to meeting the youngster and performing a sexual act on the child. It was then he was charged and booked into the Upshur County Jail. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

TYLER — We’ll find out tonight what the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Committee’s plans are for this year’s gala. To be announced at the kick off event will be the gala chair, honorary chairs, Li’l Wrangler, the theme as well as this year’s headline entertainer. This year’s gala is set for August 20, and again it will be at the Harvey Convention Center. The cancer society’s Mauri Douglas says August falls during a time of year when more entertainment is available. Last years event was a big success, with nearly $526,000 raised for the American Cancer Society. Douglas says attendees responded very well to changes made in last year’s event. Those included a switch from outdoors to indoors, at the Harvey Convention Center, and the addition of a mobile bidding app.

TYLER — A ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning has officially opened the Tyler Police Department south Tyler substation. It is located at 574 West Cumberland Road. Construction for the new 17,500 square foot facility began in March of last year. The $4.8 million project was funded by the city’s half-cent sales tax. City officials say the police substation will allow patrol officers assigned to south Tyler to maximize patrol time in their assigned areas. It will also reduce call time for service in South Tyler. The substation, which will provide short term property and evidence storage, will also allow ease of access for the department’s criminal investigators and community response officers. According to the city’s figures, the substation will create annual savings of over $200,000, primarily in officers’ time and gasoline. Continue reading Tyler Police Substation Officially Opened