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BEREA, OHIO (AP/STAFF) – The Browns have benched quarterback Johnny Manziel because of his off-field behavior. Coach Mike Pettine said former Jacksonville Indian Josh McCown will start Monday night’s game against Baltimore in place of Manziel, the Tyler native, who was recently given the starting job but has now been demoted to third string. Manziel’s benching comes in the wake of a video surfacing of him partying last weekend in Texas. He had promised not to bring any embarrassment to the team during its bye week, but Pettine said he was both disappointed and frustrated by Manziel’s actions. Pettine said owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer support his decision. In a statement, Pettine said “everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard.” Manziel spent 70 days during the offseason in a rehab facility specializing in treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

TYLER — A federal magistrate has rejected a motion from Shanna Peek Tidwell and Jeremy Chad Tidwell to release about $63,000 seized by the government so they could pay state and federal taxes. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the two are former owners of the Glass Dragon stores that allegedly sold synthetic cannabinoids in East Texas. The Tidwells, along with brother Brian Tidwell, are charged with multiple drug, fraud and money laundering violations. They were arrested last December in a raid that involved forces from numerous local law enforcement agencies and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. U.S. Magistrate John Love of Tyler ruled that the Tidwells did not cite any authority “supporting the release of these funds at this stage of the proceedings.”

In an opinion on the issue, Love said,”Defendants must make some showing that the money or accounts seized were actually that which was collected and held in trust for the payment of sales and payroll taxes. Second, Defendants should make a showing that they did not undertake any acts which would have violated their trust obligations — i.e. that their actions are consistent with those of a person acting as a trustee for the state or federal government.” Love’s opinion went on to say that the Tidwells did not show that the funds seized by the government included any money they had set aside to pay state and federal taxes.

TYLER — Three people have been arrested in Smith County in a case involving drugs, a weapon, and child support. Sheriff Larry Smith says a deputy was dispatched around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday to CR 2152 in southeast Smith County in reference to a suspicious vehicle call. The caller said a pickup was seen driving slowly through the area and was possibly spotlighting deer. The deputy conducted a traffic stop after finding a vehicle matching the description. The driver was identified as Willie Earl Calley, 34; the two passengers are named as Rebeca Cook, 26, and Patrick Trent Kemp, 23. All are Smith County residents.

Calley was placed into custody after it was learned he had an outstanding warrant for child support. After another deputy arrived to assist, the deputies reportedly found a loaded .38 caliber revolver on the floorboard that allegedly belonged to Calley. Deputies also discovered Calley was a convicted felon, so he’s also charged with felon in possession of a Firearm. Smith says the law officers additionally discovered 3 grams of methamphetamine in the truck, and all three suspects were arrested for that. Once at the jail it was reportedly discovered during the book-in process that Cook and Kemp were in possession of a controlled substance. Both are charged with possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says a burglar has been jailed after being caught in the act — and found with some stolen credit cards. Smith reports a deputy and his K-9 partner answered a call around 9:30 Tuesday morning to a residence on CR 463 in northern Smith County regarding a suspicious vehicle complaint. The dog found a man hiding under items in the garage. Smith says 35-year-old Jason Bowers of Lindale immediately surrendered and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released for minor injuries resulting from contact with the dog. Bowers was reportedly found with several credit cards which were reported stolen in Henderson County. Bowers is currently charged with burglary of a building. Smith County deputies are said to be in contact with Henderson County investigators regarding possible additional charges.

LONGVIEW — Longview police officers are stepping up their social media presence in an effort to engage more with their community. KETK reports officers are posting more pictures and video content in order to connect. In the past five weeks, the Longview police Facebook page has increased its followers by the thousands. Longview Police Public Information Officer Kristie Brian says, “Social media is one of the main ways that people communicate now. So for us to be able to reach a bigger audience, I mean we could do a wanted poster, but you don’t really reach a lot of people. With social media, you reach a lot at one time.” Since engaging with the community on Facebook, the Longview Police Department has identified suspects and solved crimes a lot faster.

DALLAS (AP) – Experts say an invasive plant that can clog boat motors and block sunlight from reaching lakes has turned up in another East Texas waterway. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department confirms giant salvinia at Lake Fork Reservoir, 60 miles east of Dallas. Spokesman Larry Hodge said Tuesday that crews are removing the fast-growing plants from the Chaney Branch. Several boat ramps are closed. A floating boom warns boaters to stay clear. Hodge says chemicals are being used to kill the floating fern that’s native to Brazil and reproduces by budding. Giant salvinia, which can be transported by boats and trailers, was found earlier on Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend Reservoir and Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Some Louisiana lakes have giant salvinia, which can form dense mats on water and also hamper fishing.

KILGORE — The new president of Kilgore College will be Dr. Brenda Kays. The school’s board of trustees unanimously voted Monday night to appoint Dr. Kays as the 9th president of the college and the first woman president of the school. She will succeed Dr. William M. “Bill” Holda who has served as president of Kilgore College since July 2, 1992. He will retire as president at the end of January.

Dr. Kays is a former Vice President of Student Learning and Success at Guilford Technical Community College North Carolina and former Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Instructional Services at Vernon College in Texas. She earned a Master of Education in counseling from Midwestern State University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of North Texas in Denton. She will start work at Kilgore College the first part of January.

TYLER — There won’t be a new owner of Brookshire Grocery Company’s supermarkets. A statement released Monday reads, “Brookshire Holdings, Inc., parent company of Brookshire Grocery Company, today announced that the process in which it has been engaged to explore a possible sale of the company has been terminated. The company will continue to provide a great food and shopping experience for its customers and will have no further comment on this matter.” Speculation had swirled in recent weeks following reports that the longtime Tyler-based company was looking into the possibility of a sale.

ATHENS — A Eustace woman has been sentenced to ten years in prison for dealing meth in Henderson County. KETK reports Monica Worthy, 33, had pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Worthy was indicted based on a July investigation and search warrant executed at a home north of Eustace. Officials say the search turned up drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, numerous clear plastic baggies, and digital scales used in the packaging and sale of narcotics.

LONGVIEW — A gunman injured in a shoot-out with Longview Police is reportedly awake. According to KETK, Nathan David Lanicek, 35, of Longview, reportedly woke up Sunday. He was shot in the neck last Tuesday after he reportedly broke into the Academy Sports Center on Forest Square. When officers arrived they found that the glass door had been broken and it appeared someone had gained entry into the store. Officers located the suspect at the rear of the building. Police say the suspect, armed with an M-4 rifle, exchanged gunfire with the three Longview police officers. The three officers were placed on routine paid administrative leave as a part of this ongoing investigation.

TYLER – Five suspects have been arrested following a reported home invasion. Tyler Police were responding to the residence on Lindsey Lane near the Kennedy intersection around 2:00 Monday morning when they spotted the alleged robbers in a black Tahoe. Following a traffic stop, officials found evidence linking the suspects to the alleged crime scene. The suspects were identified as Dexstell Murphy, Kevron Jackson and Kevin Nelson, all three 20-years-old and Randrick Duncan (pictured) and Kendrick Phillips, both 21. Murphy is from Henderson and all the others are from Tyler. All five have been charged with burglary and booked into the Smith County Jail.

ANGELINA COUNTY – There is still no trace of a car involved in a hot and run accident in Angelina. Two were injured while riding a horse on Farm Road 2251 around 6:15 Saturday evening. KETK identified the injured as Jamari Hodges, 19, and Keon Taylor, 11, both from Lufkin. Taylor is in stable condition at a Houston hospital. Hodges was treated at the scene and released. The horse survived the accident. The Department of Public Safety says vehicle that fled the scene a 2007 to 2011 silver Toyota Camry with possible front end damage.

KILGORE – We could learn tonight who the new president of Kilgore college will be. School trustees have scheduled a meeting this evening at 6:30. They are scheduled to go into executive session to discuss a successor to retiring President Bill Holda. The lone action item on the agenda is “to consider the appointment of a new college president.” Holda is scheduled to step down at the end of January.

The four finalists for the position were interviewed earlier this month. They are:
Kyle Wagner, vice president of instruction and economic development at Coastal Bend College in Beeville.
Mark Smith, vice president of educational services at Temple College in Temple.
Brenda Kays, president of Stanly Community College in Albemarle, North Carolina.
Lynn Moore, president of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College in Cumberland, Kentucky.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has received a ten year prison term after pleading guilty to three counts of indecency with a child. The Longview News Journal reports Daniel Shane Andrews, 28, was charged with two counts of indecency with a child by contact and one charge of indecency by exposure. The child indecency charges stem from a may 2014 offense. The sexual abuse is said to have occurred at least 10 times with two boys younger than 12. Because of the conviction, Andrews must register as a sex offender for life.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Weeks of November 23, and November 30. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

TxDOT offices will have minimal staff on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. No roadway work closures are planned in the Tyler District Wednesday through Sunday.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct a moving patching operation around the county to address potholes. A second crew will be using a street sweeper to clean various roadways around the area as well. This too will be a moving operation. The week of Nov. 30, asphalt milling work resumes at various locations around the county. Expect lane closures during this work with flaggers and arrow boards providing direction through the work zones.

Smith County construction projects updates:
Farm Road 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
This contract contains three project locations, including the widening, sealing and resurfacing of FM 1253. Currently, drainage work continues on FM 1253 from County Road 462 S, 1.3 miles north of FM 857 southward to FM 1805. No closures expected on FM 1804 or FM 2015.

Loop 323 West Widening
*Limits: Tyler’s West Loop and SH 31
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
*Cost: $12 million
Temporary detours remain in place as work on the retaining walls, drainage and the new bridge continues. Bellwood West temporarily closed for drainage work. Motorists should use caution when traveling through this work zone as crews and heavy equipment are working close to the travel lanes. Expect lane closures. Motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes to avoid delays.

The project includes widening Loop 323 from SH 31 to Shaw Street. The speed limit on Loop 323 in the work zone has been reduced to 45 mph from SH 64 to Shaw Street. Construction is in full swing with an expected completion date in early 2016.

Loop 323 Northeast Project
*Limits: From American Legion Road (@ the Loop 323 Extension to US 271) south to Commerce St.
*Contractor: Reynolds and Kay, LTD.
*Cost: $3.4 million
Work continues to place the final surface on this portion of Loop 323. The project includes culvert extensions, base repair, level-up and placing an overlay. Expect lane closures. Completion expected later this winter.

State Highway 31E Widening Project
*Limits: From FM 757 to FM 2012
*Contractor: Reynolds & Kay, LTD
*Cost: $7.8 million
The contractor continues cleanup activities. Expect shoulder closures as excavation and embankment work continue on the north side of this project designed to add passing lanes for multiple sections of roadway in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Once the widening is complete, a seal coat and final surface will be applied. A daily construction speed limit of 60 mph is in place when work is being performed on this 18-month job.

State Highway 31E Widening Project
*Limits: From FM 850 to FM 757
*Contractor: East Texas Bridge, Inc.
*Cost: $3.4 million
Final inspections continue on this project to widen SH 31 east of Tyler includes adding passing lanes for multiple sections of the roadway in both directions. The new passing lanes are open to traffic. Expect shoulder closures.

State Highway 64
*Limits: from Chapel Hill to Arp
*Contractor: Drewery Construction of Nacogdoches
*Cost: $3.9 million
A new hot mix surface is being applied. This job is adding passing lanes between FM 2607 and Arp. Motorists are urged to use extra caution and expect lane closures when traveling through this area.

GREGG COUNTY – Longview crews plan to clean roadways and perform routine maintenance activities around the county. The week after Thanksgiving, crews will resume asphalt mill and inlay work on US 271 through Gladewater. Expect lane closures in NB and SB lanes.

Gregg County construction projects updates:
Interstate Highway 20 Total Maintenance Contract
*Limits: Gregg, Smith and Van Zandt counties
*Contractor: Fireman Excavating
The contractor has completed laying hot mix asphalt in Gregg County and is preparing to work the eastbound and westbound mainlanes in Smith County. Expect lane closures and delays during this work.

State Highway 31 Landscape Project
*Limits: 0.3 miles north of FM 2205 (Grace Creek) to 0.2 miles south of U.S. 80 (Cotton) in Longview
*Contractor: South Texas Illuminations, LLC
*Cost: $281,249.70
Final work continues for this project which comes as a result of the city winning one of 10 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards presented by Keep Texas Beautiful in partnership with TxDOT which allocates $2,000,000 a year as landscape incentives to competing communities based on population and efforts in litter prevention and cleanup, public awareness, beautification and property improvement, solid waste management, illegal dumping and enforcement, and education. No traffic impacts.

Farm Road 2275 George Richey Extension (Segments II & III)
*Limits: McCann Road to US 259
*Contractor: East Texas Bridge, Inc.
*Cost: $12.8 million
This project is constructing a new roadway from McCann Road to US 259. Clearing between Judson and Airline roads continues with excavation, embankment, bridge construction, subgrade treatment, storm drain and other work between McCann and Judson roads. The contractor recently began paving operations. While this is a new location project that generally doesn’t impact traffic motorists should plan to take other routes to get around Airline Road which is closed through March 2016.

Farm Road 449
*Limits: US 259 to FM 2751
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
No work planned this week on this project to widen the road and add shoulders.

Loop 281 at Farm Road 2087 Overpass
*Limits: SH 31 to approximately one mile south of SH 31
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview.
*Cost: $13.2 million
This project to build a new overpass is in Phase III of construction with traffic moved off the existing loop onto the detours. Work on the bridge approaches is ongoing. Expect delays during the peak evening hours. Caution advised in detour areas.

State Highway 42
*Limits: From SH 31 north to I-20
*Contractor: Reynolds & Kay, Ltd.
*Cost: $3.7 million
The contractor is starting to lay hot mix asphalt. The project is constructing a left turn lane at Hillcrest Road along with storm drain and curb and gutter. Current work includes installing guardrail and other amenities. Project completion expected in late fall. Expect lane closures with flaggers directing traffic.

Interstate Highway 20 PFC Project
*Limits: SH 31E to the Harrison County line
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
*Cost: $5,584,277
Motorists should expect delays Monday and Tuesday during the day as the contractor applies asphalt to the I-20 mainlanes going both directions. The week of Nov. 30, the contractor plans to lay asphalt on the ramps at Estes Parkway/SH 322 and Eastman Road/US 259. The ramps will be closed. Expect lane closures. Alternate routes are recommended when possible.

The project consists of applying a porous friction course (PFC) surface overlay, shoulder texturing, and pavement markings as well as work on the I-20 on ramps. Porous friction courses (PFC) consist of placing hot mix asphalt mixtures at the surface of a pavement structure in a thin layer to produce benefits for the traveling public such as safety, economy and the environment.

Landscaping Projects
*Limits: Intersection of SH 31 at SH 42
*Limits: Intersections of I-20 at Estes Parkway; and I-20 at Eastman Road
*Contractor: South Texas Illuminations, LLC
*Cost: $400,000
This is a landscaping project to enhance various intersections throughout Gregg and Rusk counties. Crews are working at the intersections of SH 42 and SH 31, and I-20, Estes Pkwy and Eastman Road. The majority of the work is outside the travel lane in the median and should have little impact on traffic. The travelling public should be cautious of construction vehicles entering and leaving the project sites.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Palestine crews this week plan to monitor roadways and conduct routine maintenance around the county. The week of Nov. 30, level up operations return to Farm Road 319. Expect lane closures when work resumes on FM 319.

Anderson County construction projects updates have no significant changes.

U.S.Highway 79 New Lane Construction
*Limits: 1.6 miles southwest of Loop 256 in Palestine south to .4 mile southwest of FM 645
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview.
*Cost: $42,740,365.19
The project continues to progress with the contractor performing flex base on the south end of the job. Work in the southbound lanes includes concrete paving south of FM 645 and surface mix. Sanderson Blvd. remains closed for the next few weeks with traffic detoured to Florence Street. Expect lane closures.

State Highway 19 Widening in Anderson County
*Limits: 3.6 miles north of FM 837 (Henderson Co. line) south to .4 mile north of FM 321 at Montalba
*Contractor: Big Creek Construction of Hewitt
*Cost: $12,487,715.87
Work is ongoing to widen SH 19 in this area. Lane closures and delays are to be expected as flex base and cement treat operations progress. Flaggers and a pilot car are providing traffic control.

Off-System Bridge Replacement Project
*Limits: County Road (CR) 471 at Box Creek and County Road (CR) 4801 at Indian Creek
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
*Cost: $817,412.15
CR 471 at Box Creek is closed to through traffic as a new bridge is built. Completion set for this month. CR 4801 at Indian Creek is now closed to through traffic with right-of-way work underway in preparation for building a new bridge.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Jacksonville and Rusk crews plan to conduct winter preparation activities this week. Crews will be performing base repairs on roadways throughout the county starting Nov. 30. Expect lane closures during that work with flaggers providing traffic control.

TxDOT contractor, Striping Technology, Inc., crews adding striping and buttons on roadways in Cherokee County as part of the district-wide safety project to add centerline rumble strips. Expect lane closures.

Farm Road 22 and Farm Road 23 Widening Project
*Limits: From US 69 south of Jacksonville going SW to 1.5 miles west of FM 768 (Gallatin area); FM 23 from FM 343 to FM 1857
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
*Cost: $8.5 million
No work is planned this week. This is a safety project designed to widen the roadway from 20′ to 24′ along a 4.2 mile section.

U.S. Highway 69 Widening and Resurfacing
*Limits: From Loop 456 in Jacksonville going south to just north of Loop 62 in Rusk
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
*Cost: $11.5 million
The contractor continues work in the median on this project to add 2′ edge treatment and resurfacing the roadway.

U.S. Highway 69 Widening and Resurfacing
*Limits: From 0.028 mile south of FM 343 in Rusk southward to just north of SH 21 in Alto
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
*Cost: $9.7 million
No work is currently scheduled for this project.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Athens crews this week plan to conduct edge repair work on Farm Road 607 between State Highway 31 and Farm Road 317 in the Leagueville area, and address maintenance issues such as potholes and debris. The following week, work returns to Farm Road 607 to complete edge repairs before moving to Farm Road 317 between Farm Road 314 and Farm Road 315. Crews also plan to address maintenance issues around Loop 7. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control in these work locations.

Henderson County construction projects updates:
State Highway 31 Repair Project
*Limits: .09 miles west of FM 317 eastward to .34 miles west of FM 773
*Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt
*Cost: $3.6 million
Work is underway on this project that calls for milling the existing surface and placing a new overlay on the roadway. Expect lane closures on this job which is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

U.S. Highway 175 Widening Project (Phase I)
*Limits: 0.1 miles southeast of FM 804 near Baxter southeast to 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at Larue
*Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc. and Big Creek Construction
*Cost: $39.2 million
The project expands US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. A traffic switch now has eastbound motorists driving on the new detour. Drivers should expect one lane carrying two-way traffic throughout the project limits as well as occasional day time lane closures. Drivers on adjacent county roads and FM 804 should anticipate a change in traffic flow due to the detour now requiring two-way traffic on US 175. Dirt and drainage work around Loop 60E in Larue to near Baxter is ongoing. The speed limit in the construction zone has been set at 55 mph so slow down because traffic fines double when workers are present. Phase I construction started April 6, 2015 and has an anticipated completion date in
November 2018.

U.S. Highway 175 Widening Project (Phase II)
*Limits: 1.1 miles east of Loop 60B to 0.85 mile east of FM 315
*Contractor: Sundt Construction, Inc., of San Antonio
*Cost: $37.8 million
Construction is underway on this Phase II project to expand US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. Drivers should anticipate two-way traffic throughout the project limits which stretch 3.4 miles ending just east of FM 315 in Poynor. The speed limit has been set at 55 mph. A portion of this phase will be built on new location around the south side of Poynor. This like Phase I, is a mobility project to add capacity and improve safety, and includes adding one lane in each direction. It is a two-year project.

Farm Road 315/Farm Road 1616 Widening Project
*Limits: From FM 314S to CS End at County Road 4325, 4224, etc.
*Contractor: Big Creek Construction, LTD, of Hewitt, Texas
*Cost: $3.07 million
Work is set to start this month to add shoulders on FM 315. Drivers should anticipate two-way traffic throughout the project limits with daily lane closures. Completion expected in summer 2016.

Farm Road 316 Widening Project
*Limits: From FM 1256 south to FM 3080
*Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt
No work is planned this week on this widening project.

Off-System Bridge Replacement Project
*Limits: Cardinal Drive at Little Duncan Creek in Murchison
* Contractor: Hartbeat Construction of Tyler
*Cost: $314,919.44
Cardinal Drive is closed to through traffic as a new bridge is built. Completion set for December.

RUSK COUNTY – Henderson crews plan to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 839 between Farm Road 1662 and U.S. Highway 84 for the next couple of weeks. Expect lanes closures with traffic control provided by flaggers and a pilot car.

TxDOT contractor, Striping Technology, Inc., crews adding striping and buttons on various roadways in Rusk County as part of the district-wide safety project to add centerline rumble strips. Expect lane closures.

Rusk County construction projects updates:
Farm Road 3135
*Limits: County Road 222 to County Road 262
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
This project consists of widening the road and adding shoulders. Contractor will be installing safety end treatments on driveways and extending cross culverts. Little impact to traffic at this time but motorists are reminded to use caution. There could be periodic delays as this job gets underway.

Farm Road 95
*Limits: FM 1798 to SH 315
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
This project consists of widening the road and adding shoulders. Contractor will be installing safety end treatments on driveways and extending cross culverts. Traffic can expect some delay. Motorists are reminded to use caution in this and all work zones.

U.S. Highway 79 Repair Project Night Operations
*Limits: From FM 225 going north to the Traffic Star (intersection of US 79/SH 64/SH 43/US 259)
*Contractor: Madden Contracting Company
*Cost: $5.2 million
Daytime work continues with striping of the mainlanes Monday and Tuesday, Thanksgiving Week. Expect lane closures and delays. The following week normal schedule returns with daytime closures and delays as work is conducted Monday through Friday. Watch for flaggers providing traffic control. The resurfacing project is expected to be completed this fall providing motorists a smoother, safer ride.

Stgate Highway 64 Widening Project
*Limits: 0.173 miles west of BU 64E (N. Marshall St.) east to 0.2 miles west of U.S. 79 (Traffic Star)
*Contractor: Lonestar Equipment Company, Inc.
*Cost: $2.1 million
Motorists should expect periodic delays on this job to widen SH 64 through Henderson. Construction of the retaining wall and widening of the roadway continues adjacent to the travel lanes with no impacts to traffic. Use caution through this work zone. The project started in August 2013 and consists of widening the existing two-lane roadway and constructing a four-lane facility along with a continuous Left Turn Lane with the majority of work being performed outside the existing travel lanes.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Canton crews plan to spend the next couple of weeks addressing maintenance issues around the county including ditch work, patching potholes, mailbox requests, and other activities.

Van Zandt County construction projects updates:
State Highway 64 Widening Project
*Limits: From FM 858 near Ben Wheeler to FM 314
*Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo
*Cost: $7.4 million
The new passing lanes are open to traffic but crews continue to apply the final hot mix surface to the roadway. This work is expected to take another three weeks to complete, weather permitting, so motorists should be prepared for daily lane closures. This project to improve safety and mobility on SH 64 should be completed in December.

State Highway 198 Widening Project
*Limits: from SH 243 in Canton southwest to 0.4 miles northeast of FM 316 near Phalba
*Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Waco
*Cost: $5 million
Work continues to extend the structures on the east side of the roadway. Expect lane closures.

Farm Road 314 Widening Project
*Limits: from I-20 to the Van Zandt/Henderson County line
*Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo
*Cost: $11.9 million
Erosion control activities continue south of Edom. No lane closures planned.

Interstate Highway 20 Project
*Limits: From 1.6 miles east of FM 16 to 2.9 miles east of FM 314
*Contractor: APAC-Texas, Inc.
*Cost: $2.4 million
Cleanup and striping work continue in the eastbound and westbound lanes. Expect daily lane closures. No project work occurs on Friday’s.

Purtis Creek State Park Road Improvements Project
*Limits: Within Purtis Creek State Park to just off FM 316
*Contractor: Construction Companies Group, LLC
*Cost: $90,549.00
Cleanup work is ongoing on this project to upgrade Park Road which runs .573 miles inside the park. It should be completed soon.

WOOD COUNTY – Mineola crews plan to address routine maintenance issues next week that do not require lane closures. Work the week of November 30 includes, shoulder work on Loop 564; drainage work on Farm Road 2088 at Richards Street; ditch work on U.S. 80 east of Mineola near the American Legion Hall and FM 49 near Loop 564. Expect lane closures at all locations with flaggers providing traffic control.

Wood County construction projects updates:

State Highway 37 Roadway Repair
*Limits: from FM 2088 in Quitman to 0.4 miles south of FM 515 in Winnsboro
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
*Cost: $7.7 million
Cleanup work is ongoing from 0.4 miles south of FM 515 in Winnsboro southward to FM
2088. No lane closures expected.

Farm Road 2869 Project
*Limits: From FM 852, south of Winnsboro going south to FM 2088
*Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
Surface work on driveways and other activities continue in the NB and SB lanes within the project limits. Expect lane closures.

KILGORE – A man armed with a gun is said to have robbed the Hampton Inn on U.S. Highway 259 in Kilgore. The robbery happened early Saturday evening. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a black male wearing a gray hoodie baggy black cargo style sweat pants.

LIBERTY CITY – Gregg County Authorities have confirmed that a body found in a creek was that of a missing 39 year old man, Tommy Dale Beason. The man’s dad, Tony Beason, had earlier said the body was that of his son. The body was pulled from Little Caney Creek Wednesday afternoon. The man’s dad told the Longview News Journal that he used cellphone coordinates to find the body. His son was last seen on October 27th. He was reported missing a few days later. The body, which appears to have been in the water for some time, was badly decomposed. The body was sent to Tyler for autopsy.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct Four Constable John Smith and his deputies are on the search for two people who reportedly tried to abduct two children west of Winona. KETK reports that around 5:30 Thursday evening, a brother and sister walked down to the end of their driveway to wait for their father to get home from work. “It’s something that they do all the time, but it was 5:30, so it was starting to get dark,” said Constable Smith. While the siblings were waiting, a black passenger car pulled up to them. That’s when a Hispanic woman and a man tried to lure the children into the vehicle. “Fortunately the mom was sitting on the front porch and ran down to them, so the driver of the car took off,” explained Constable Smith. Continue reading Constable Seeks Attempted Kidnapping Suspects

PALESTINE — Anderson County officials have released additional autopsy results in a mass murder last weekend at a local campsite. The victims were Carl Johnson, 77; Hannah Johnson, 40; Hannah’s 6-year-old son, Kade; Thomas Kamp, 46; Nathan Kamp; and Austin Kamp. According to KETK, District Attorney Allison Mitchell says the Kamps and Kade Johnson died from gunshot wounds. Carl Johnson was killed from blunt force trauma and gunshot wounds. Hannah Johnson died from blunt force trauma. Carl Johnson’s wife, Cynthia Johnson, was able to escape and call for help. William Mitchell Hudson, 33, allegedly killed the six at a location on CR 2217. Hudson is facing six counts of capital murder. Continue reading Additional Autopsy Results Released in Campsite Killing

LONGVIEW — A 41-year-old Winona resident has been arrested in Longview on felony gun and drug charges in a three-pronged raid just before 6:30 Thursday night. Officials say Longview police joined the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, the Longview SWAT team, and the Department of Public Safety Special Response Team in the raid. They served two warrants on two rooms at the American Dream Inn motel on East Marshall Avenue and another on a Harrell Street residence. During the searches, officers say they recovered a large quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, and assorted pills with a street value of over $6700. Police also reportedly located 3 handguns, 1 shotgun, and numerous rounds of what appear to be armor piercing ammunition. Continue reading One Arrested at Motel on Gun and Drug Charges

TYLER — “Side Effects and Pity Parties” will be the second fall 2015 senior exhibition at The University of Texas at Tyler Fine Arts Complex Gallery. The student thesis exhibition begins Monday, Nov. 30, and it highlights the works of UT Tyler bachelor of fine arts degree candidates Ana Pena of Laredo and Lena Sanders of Mesquite. A public reception and gallery talk will be 6 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the gallery. The exhibition will conclude Friday, Dec. 11.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Commissioner Precinct 3 building was heavily damaged after a fire started Thursday. According to KETK, around 4 p.m., an employee in the building on Highway 79 noticed smoke. Fire officials do not know the cause of the fire, but suspect it could have been electrical. Commissioner Katherine Pinotti (pictured) says, “Our theory is that it was an electrical fire that started from the fan that was on the wall in the shop. Unfortunately, that wire, and where that fan is, was set right behind where we kept oils and very flammable things.” County tools were also kept inside. The employee was able to save most of the FEMA files before they caught on fire. No one was hurt.

TYLER — A 64-year-old former insurance agent from Tyler has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to wire fraud and money laundering. Robert B. Hahn faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing, which has not been set. According to federal prosecutors, from January 2007 to February 2015, Hahn devised and executed a scheme in which he claimed to represent a group of Tyler doctors who were raising capital for debt retirement, construction of or improvements to health care facilities, and medical equipment purchases. Hahn led approximately 100 potential investors to believe this group of doctors would pay an annual interest rate of 20% on their loans or investments. Continue reading Former Insurance Agent Guilty in $5.5 Million Fraud Scheme

TYLER — Dozens turned out at Gallery Main Street in downtown Tyler Thursday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city’s half-cent sales tax. City Engineer Carter Delleney says the word “legacy” came to mind as he chatted with the other attendees — including some who helped put the half-cent sales tax in motion. He noted that about $170 million worth of capital improvement projects have been funded by the tax. Voters approved the tax Nov. 7, 1995, to fund capital infrastructure projects that officials say enhance the community and attract economic development. Continue reading Tyler Celebrates Half-Cent Sales Tax’s 20th Anniversary

KILGORE — Police are investigating an aggravated robbery in Kilgore. Kilgore Police said an armed man entered the Zippy J’s on State Highway 135 North around 10:45 Thursday night. He was reportedly wearing a ski mask and took an undisclosed amount of cash. According to KETK, the suspect was driving an older model black Ford Expedition. No injuries were reported. Contact police with any information.

DIBOLL (AP) – Georgia-Pacific has closed its fiberboard manufacturing plant in the East Texas town of Diboll and laid off all 90 workers. The Atlanta-based wood and fiber products company on Thursday shut the plant and encouraged workers to seek jobs at other Georgia-Pacific units in East Texas. Spokesman Eric Abercrombie says Georgia-Pacific has about 1,600 employees in the area. Abercrombie says the Diboll fiberboard unit, which has not been operating for a couple of weeks, suffered weather-related damage in recent storms and also had a small kiln fire in October. He says Georgia-Pacific decided to close the plant, built in 1958, due to current economic conditions and the cost of improvements needed at the facility.

TYLER – One of three persons injured in a wreck on the Tyler loop on Wednesday, has died. Anastasia Hilliard, 45, of Whitehouse, died Thursday morning in a Tyler hospital. The accident happened in front of the TJC’s Regional Training and Development Complex. Police say a truck crossed over the median and hit Hilliard’s SUV head on. The truck’s driver, Jesus Gonzalez, 26, of Brazoria, and his passenger, Rodolfo Mendoza, were both injured. At last report, both were in stable condition.

LIBERTY CITY — A Tatum man says the body pulled from a Gregg County creek on Wednesday was that of his son. Tony Beason told the Longview News-Journal he used cellphone coordinates to find the body. His son, Tommy Dale Beason, 30, was last seen on October 27th. He was reported missing a few days later. Authorities have not confirmed that the body found in Little Caney Creek was that of Beason’s son. The body, which appears to have been in the water for some time, was badly decomposed. The body was sent to Tyler for autopsy. They will be using dental records and DNA to positively identify the body.

MARSHALL — A Houston woman has been indicted on a charge of murder in the Marshall highway death of an East Texas man. KETK reports Sharketra Shardae Hildreth, 30, was involved in a pre-dawn May 23 crash that killed Todd Lane Davis near the intersection of U.S. 59 and U.S. 80. Police said a vehicle driven by Hildreth was headed south when she disregarded a traffic light and hit Davis’s vehicle, which was traveling east. At the time of the wreck, Hildreth’s children, both minors, were in the car with their mother. Hildreth was arrested at a family court hearing in Houston.

TYLER – Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said it’s “been another great year” for TISD in his State of the District update Wednesday. Crawford addressed a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Rose Garden Center. According to a news release, topics included the recently completed BOND2013 construction projects – including a new Career and Technology Center along with the District’s first new middle school in 50 years. Crawford also covered fiscal accountability, student achievement, new or revised programs, community partners, district plans and goals, and future challenges and opportunities. Crawford said, “We have plans and people in place to continue this progress while also addressing the areas needing improvement going forward. The amount of support we have from this wonderful community plays a huge role in the success of our students.”

Also at the luncheon, the district partnered with the Tyler Area Business-Education to present the 2015 Community Partner of the Year Award to The Mentoring Alliance. The Mentoring Alliance provides three types of volunteer based mentoring programs: Gospel Village, Boys and Girls Clubs of East Texas and Rose City Summer Camps. Additionally, Senator Kevin Eltife; Rev. Orenthia Mason, director of alumni affairs at Texas College and pastor of St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; and Lonny Uzzell, vice president of Southside Bank, were named 2015 Distinguished Alumni by Tyler ISD, the Tyler ISD Foundation and the Tyler Area Business-Education Council. Mason also serves on the TISD Board of Trustees.