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EAST TEXAS — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, in a news conference Tuesday, announced more details regarding a shoot-out in August 29th. It happened just before 2 a-m at Bunny’s convenience store at Loop 323 and FM 14. Laprida Shears, 25, Tyler was fatally shot during the incident. Smith said the ongoing investigation determined two groups, with affiliations with Tyler and Longview gangs, were involved. Five suspects have been named. 44 search warrants in Tyler and Longview have been issued. More than 300 people were said to be involved. Continue reading Officials Search for Suspects in Gang Related Shooting

MT. PLEASANT — It’s now a two-man race in the March GOP primary for state House District 5. Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant has announced he’s running for the post currently held by Bryan Hughes. Hefner (at left in accompanying photo) managed a commercial construction company until going into the insurance business in January of this year. He’s also a member of the local Rotary Club. Army veteran and former small business owner Randy Davis of Emory announced his candidacy for the House seat earlier this month. Hughes is squaring off against fellow House member David Simpson in a bid for the state Senate seat being vacated by Tyler’s Kevin Eltife. Continue reading Cole Hefner Announces for State House District 5

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas man who was arrested for felony possession of a firearm has now been charged with making a terroristic threat/impairing government officials. His bond is $60,000. Authorities say Rasheed Abdul Aziz, 40, of Flint, allegedly made threats against an East Texas church citing God as the reason for his actions. KETK reports that the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday at 2:10 p.m. from the Corinth Church on FM 346 near Lake Palestine. The caller said an unknown man wearing a camouflage helmet, camo pants, tactical vest, and boots had entered the church around 2:00 p.m. The caller also said what appeared to be a pistol was visible in his pocket. Continue reading New Charge Filed in Church Threat Case

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a runaway. According to KETK, Sh’raine Williams was last seen on September 6 when she left her mom’s house in Marshall. She is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. There is no clothing description for Williams available. She previously ran away from her home in Marshall and was found in Shreveport, Louisiana. Sh’raine is listed on the NCIC/TCIC computer system as a runaway. Any information regarding her location may be made to any law enforcement agency.

TYLER — A longtime Tyler resident who served 20 years as Historic Tyler’s executive director has been honored with that organization’s annual Historic Preservation Award. Janie Menegay was recently recognized at Historic Tyler’s annual meeting. Organization officials credit Menegay with a number of achievements. Officials say she led the 1992 effort to save the Lewis Hotel, now the Gilbert Law Firm. Menegay was also termed instrumental in obtaining a Junior League grant to perform a survey that led to the listing of six Tyler districts on the National Register of Historic Places. That happened in 1993. Continue reading Menegay Wins Top Historic Tyler Award

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities say 41-year-old Catherine Flinn of Lindale died Monday morning from injuries suffered in an ATV crash northeast of Lindale. KETK reports that according to a preliminary DPS investigation, the 4-wheeler was headed west on County Road 452 at 5:45 p.m. Sunday. That’s when officials say the vehicle left the right side of the road and lost control. The report says Flinn overcorrected, the 4-wheeler overturned, and Flinn was thrown from the vehicle. With the ATV out of control and without a driver, the vehicle hit a tree, bounced off it and landed on Flinn, according to DPS. Flinn was taken to a Tyler hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

EAST TEXAS — A supermarket chain that’s already in several parts of the state, is moving into the piney woods of East Texas soon and there’s a hiring frenzy underway. ALDI announced recently that nationwide, 2,500 positions need to be filled at its US stores. So, next Tuesday, in Longview, ahead of its grand openings of stores in both Tyler and Longview, there’s a hiring event set at the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel on East Loop 281 from 7 a.m. til 3 p.m. In a news release, the company says store associates typically earn $11.50 per hour, while shift managers earn that plus a $4.75 per hour premium when performing manager duties. manager trainees earn $55,000 per year. Another perk for ALDI employees averaging more than 25 hours a week, they’re are eligible for benefits. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or GED.

AUSTIN (AP) — Attorneys for a man convicted in the fatal stabbing and beating of Linda Jo Edwards in East Texas in 1977 have filed documents to declare their client innocent. The Dallas Morning News reports lawyers for Kerry Max Cook filed documents in Smith County Monday arguing that six rounds of DNA testing from 1999 through 2015 failed to identify any evidence he was at the scene of the crime. Cook was convicted in 1978 for the slaying of the 21-year-old woman in her Tyler apartment and was sentenced to death. Cook maintained his innocence, and the verdict was overturned. A second trial ended in mistrial and a third trial sent him back to death row. Cook later pleaded no contest in 1999 to the killing for a sentence of time served.

LONGVIEW — Police continue to investigate after one person was taken to a Longview hospital Sunday night following a shooting. Officer Kristie Brian tells KETK the victim knew the shooter. It happened around 8:45 Sunday night at an apartment complex on McCann Road, south of the Longview Mall. According to the Longview News-Journal, Brian said the victim’s wounds are not believed to be life-threatening. Brain also says there’s no apparent threat to the public. No suspects were immediately identified and no arrests immediately made.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police are investigating the theft of firearms from a gun store. Around 2:50 Sunday morning, officers responded to a burglary at a gun dealership located in the 3400 block of North East End Boulevard. According to KETK, investigators said an undisclosed number of handguns and rifles had been taken from the store. The Marshall Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating.

LINDALE — TxDOT says it’s inviting interested citizens to come learn about and provide comment on proposed improvements to FM 16 in Lindale. The West Campus of Lindale’s E.J. Moss Intermediate School will be the site of an open house on the topic, set for 5 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting will include the latest project maps. The three alignment alternatives under consideration for improving FM 16 from four miles west of FM 849 to US 69 are being presented. Officials say the improvements will help ease congestion and improve safety. They also say the work will help the city expand the east-west corridor in anticipation of future growth and connection with Toll 49. After reviewing feedback from the public and evaluating the impacts of each option, the recommended route will be presented at a meeting in early 2016. Continue reading Open House on FM 16 in Lindale

EAST TEXAS — Authorities say a man who was arrested for making threats against an East Texas church allegedly did so citing God as the reason for his actions. KETK reports that the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday at 2:10 p.m. from the Corinth Church on FM 346 near Lake Palestine. The caller said an unknown man wearing a camouflage helmet, camo pants, tactical vest, and boots had entered the church around 2:00 p.m. The caller also said what appeared to be a pistol was visible in his pocket. The man was later identified as Rasheed Abdul Aziz, 40, of Flint. Continue reading Officials Continue Probing Church Threat

AUSTIN — An East Texas doctor is among 60 who have been disciplined by the Texas Medical Board. KETK reports Dr. Jeffrey Cahill of Henderson will be required to have his practice monitored. This after it was discovered he was prescribing large amounts of pain medication to 15 patients. The medical board also found he failed to document or evaluate the treatment of those patients.

CANTON — The burn ban in Van Zandt County has been lifted. According to KETK, the Fire Marshal’s Office says the Sheriff’s Office still needs to be notified about controlled burns taking place. The office can be contacted at (903) 567-4133. If a burn gets out of control, those who started the fire may be criminally or civilly responsible for damages, according to officials.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Two people have been hospitalized following a two vehicle accident in Angelina County. According to KETK, the crash happened just before 4:45 Sunday afternoon on FM 2497 at Felix Weeks Road. Investigators say a 1997 Jeep Cherokee, driven by James Meador, 61, Diboll, attempted to cross FM 2497 from a vacant lot. Meador reportedly pulled out into FM 2497 into the path of a 2004 Dodge pickup, driven by John Harvey Young, 75, Lufkin. Both were taken to the hospital. Meador was later transported to a Houston hospital by medical helicopter. Their conditions are unknown. The crash remains under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — An elderly Whitehouse couple suffering from Alzhiermer’s found themselves hours away in Diboll. This after planning to simply drive a few minutes from their home for lunch. The couple, both in their 90s, left their Whitehouse home Saturday afternoon with intentions of going to eat at a local diner. According to KETK, they traveled more than two hours from their home and ended up in Polk County. Diboll police say they received several calls of the couple driving on the road at high speeds and even narrowly missed an 18-wheeler. Officers were able to locate the car and stop the couple. They were then taken to the police station, where police tried to locate nearby family members. Due to the couple’s medical condition it took several hours to find any relatives in the area. A family member in Houston was finally located.

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Police Department has purchased body cameras for its officers in the wake of national police-involved shootings that spurred a movement toward using the devices. According to the Longview News-Journal, Gladewater police purchased the cameras earlier this month thanks to donations by Gladewater residents. A select few Longview police officers are testing camera brands as the department considers its options and discusses costs, spokeswoman Kristie Brian said. Continue reading Gladewater Police Purchase Body Cameras

EAST TEXAS — TxDOT is putting out the word on some roadwork this weekend and an open house planned for Tuesday. I-20 will be the focus this Sunday from 6 a.m. until work is completed. That’s when eastbound traffic on the interstate will be detoured onto the south frontage road between Loop 281 West and Loop 281 East as crews work to replace an overhead Dynamic Message Sign (DMS). The DMS is mounted on a sign bridge over the highway just east of US 259. Continue reading TxDOT: Roadwork Planned in Longview, Open House in Lindale

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has received its largest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant in its history, according to city officials. On Aug. 26, the city council authorized Tyler Pounds Regional Airport to accept an Airport Improvement Grant from the FAA totaling $9,841,711. Airport construction contracts were also authorized to Reynolds and Kay, Ltd. of Tyler, pending receipt of the grant. Airport staff has worked with the FAA to acquire grant funding for the 2015 fiscal year to perform a number of airport improvement projects, according to a news release. It is anticipated the grant will cover up to 90 percent of all eligible expenses related to the 2015 Runway 4/22 Rehabilitation Project. Continue reading Tyler Airport Gets $9.8 Million for Runway Renovations

LUFKIN — A mass shooting threat to all Lufkin schools has been dismissed as a hoax by the Lufkin Police Department. According to KETK, police say they have received almost 30 calls starting Thursday night and into this morning, threatening a mass shooting at Lufkin ISD on Friday, September 11th. Continue reading Lufkin School Shooting Threat Dismissed as Hoax

LONGVIEW — Four Longview officers involved in two recent shootings have returned to work, police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said Thursday. According to KETK, officer Emit Kennedy was placed on leave after the August 28 fatal shooting of Devin Dial, 23, in the parking lot of a Northwest Longview business. Officers Dustin Ashworth, John Delgado and Armando Juarezortega were placed on leave after a shooting August 25 that injured Joshua Kennon Thomas, 17, in the parking lot of a business on Mobberly Avenue. Continue reading Officers Back at Work Following Two Separate Shootings

PALESTINE — A Mississippi man was killed early Thursday morning in a crash that tied up traffic into the workday at U.S. Highway 79 and State Highway 155 in Palestine. According to KETK, police say a one-ton dually truck pulling a flatbed was headed west on Highway 79 at 4:30am when the vehicle left the right side of the road and hit a traffic pole at the intersection of Highway 155. The driver and lone occupant, Jerry Wayne McMillen, 48, of Potts Camp, Mississippi, was killed. Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge James Todd pronounced the man dead at the scene. His body has been sent for autopsy. The reason the driver left the road is unknown at this time. TxDOT said a crew was called in to work on the traffic signals at the location.

AUSTIN (AP) — Two Texas counties that installed video technology for inmate visits will not be allowed to skip in-person visits now required by law. The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that Wood and Hays counties were denied an exemption. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards determined both counties did not incur a “significant” expense to install their video jail-visit systems. The law that took effect this month requires all Texas counties to provide two 20-minute in-person jail visitation periods each week. But an amendment lets counties seek exemptions from the requirement if they’ve invested significant money on video-only visits. Commission officials declined requests to exempt Wood and Hays counties since they had not incurred “significant expense” in setting up video systems. The vendor did not charge either county for equipment or installation.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a fatal shooting near Highway 64 West. KETK reports the incident took place near the Tyler Memorial Cemetery in the 2600 block of Cotten Road. Officials say Demario Richard, 30, of Tyler was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later pronounced dead. SCSO Public Information Officer Gary Middleton says the shooting was prompted by an altercation between two people. Children were present in the home at the time of the crime. Officials have been questioning people but did not immediately reveal if one was the shooter or not. We will update information as it becomes available.

TYLER — Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson is asking residents to help her office update information for 8,300 registered voters. According to a news release, her office has worked with its voter registration vendor and the National Change of Address database to determine the number of Smith County voters who need to update their addresses with the Elections Department. Nelson says her office is mailing out letters and address change forms, asking voters to update their addresses by filling out a form and mailing it back to her office. She says the goal is to get as many addresses updated as possible prior to the mass mailout of the new voter certificates in December. Continue reading Smith County Elections Updating Voter Records

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Thursday announced his plans to seek re-election. Smith says he made a lot of promises in the last campaign which he thinks have been fulfilled, but that he’s not through what he started. Smith added, “There’s a great need for the citizens of Smith County to have a responsive sheriff’s office, and I want to do what I can to make that happen.” Smith won his first term in 2012 in a runoff against retired Game Warden Chris Green. Green has announced he will seek the sheriff’s seat once again. Gary Pinkerton, a former Smith County chief deputy and jail administrator, announced his Democratic candidacy for sheriff in early August.

LONGVIEW — Crews in Longview are busy this week after three fires broke out within a 24-hour period. According to KETK, the fire marshal says the first started Tuesday around 5 in the morning from a fire pit. Wednesday morning, crews put out two more fires around 1:30 a.m. at a storage building on Latham Drive and one on Rex Drive. The fire department says those blazes started near the buildings’ exteriors. Officials are still investigating the causes. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Longview police and Spring Hill ISD have identified the student responsible for vandalizing the ticket booth and press box with graffiti at Panther Stadium in July. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, that’s the word from Superintendent Steven Snell. “We had a suspect during the summer, but there was a change in address that we were not aware of, so we were unable to locate him,” Snell said, “so when he came back to school on the first day, police came in and talked to him, and we got a full confession and took appropriate action from there.” Continue reading Police: Student Confesses to Spring Hill Vandalism