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HENDERSON — A Kilgore pastor has pleaded no contest to a lesser count two years after he was arrested on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the Rev. Glenn Barton entered an eight-year probation that, if he adheres to its conditions, will prevent the court from pronouncing a finding of guilt from his no-contest plea. Barton, 64, a minister at Calvary Way church, was charged in March 2013 with aggravated sex assault of a child. Kilgore police said then that Barton was suspected of sexually abusing a child between 2009 and 2013. He pleaded no contest May 11 to indecency with a child, a lesser charge, before Fourth District Court Judge Clay Gossett in Henderson, Rusk County District Clerk records show. His plea agreement names a June 15, 2009, offense date. Continue reading Minister Pleads No Contest to Indecency with a Child

GILMER — An Upshur County man has turned himself in to authorities after reportedly evading law enforcement on Wednesday. According to KETK, at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, several agencies were executing a search warrant on Dustin Andrew Jones for a motion to revoke his probation for sexual assault of a child. Officials say Jones evaded authorities by running from his home into nearby woods. Law officers looked for Jones along FM 2685 and Locust Road, but could not find him in what’s termed an exhaustive search. A DPS helicopter, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Upshur County Sheriff’s Deputies, Texas DPS Troopers, and U.S. Marshals were involved in the search. Around 9:40 p.m., Jones was booked into the Upshur County Jail after his father drove him to the Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in.

WACO — More East Texans have been identified as among those arrested in last Sunday’s Waco biker shooting that took nine lives. KETK names Longview residents Anthony Shane Palmer, 40, Christopher Ryan Rogers, 52, and George Earl Rogers, 43. Also arrested were Phillip Sampson, 43, and Wesley McAlister, 32, both of Gilmer. Identified earlier were James Laray Gray, 61, of Tyler; Jason Lee Cavazos, 40, of Arp; Marshall Mitchell, 64, of Longview; Jason Dillard, 39, of Winona; and Kyle Smith, 48, of Kilgore. Continue reading More East Texans Identified in Waco Shooting

VAN – Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott Wednesday visited Van, still recovering from extensive damage as a result of a May 10 tornado. According to a news release from the Governor’s office, the First Lady visited Van Middle School, where she met with school officials, teachers, and students affected by the tornado. She then toured Van Intermediate School, which sustained heavy damage as a result of the tornado and is closed for the remainder of the school year. Continue reading First Lady Visits Tornado-Ravaged Van, Receives Briefing

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office has taken one person into custody and seized multiple pounds of meth in a recent raid. KETK reports that on Tuesday morning, deputies seized 4.5 pounds of meth while executing search warrants at several undisclosed county locations. Toney Gene Peterson, 18, of Rockwall, was arrested and charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Authorities are still searching for Joshua Lyle Harned, an alleged drug dealer. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by ATF, the Henderson Police Department, Rusk County Constable Precinct 3 and the Center Police Department. The investigation is ongoing.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is seeking to identify a man who is believed to be inolved in check fraud. According to KETK, KPD stated the man pictured is forging checks in the area. If you can identify this man, contact Detective John Rowe at john.rowe@cityofkilgore.com or 903-218-6906. You may also contact the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP, or you can text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Refer to KPD Incident #1505-0212.

AUSTIN — A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigation into what took place before a fatal accident in the Flint area is expected to be released next week. According to KETK, TABC Public Information Officer Chris Porter says the investigation is complete and has been forwarded to supervisors for review. They will then determine what action, if any, will be taken. Continue reading TABC Fatal Crash Investigation Complete

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is once again stepping up its patrols targeting DWI drivers (no refusal), speeders, and unrestrained vehicle occupants for the Memorial Day holiday. Police say the department will be participating in a state grant during the holiday that will provide funding to the department to enforce these laws. The enforcement detail will run Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25th.

MARSHALL — A man wanted by the Marshall Police Department who is charged with child sexual assault has been taken into custody. KETK reports Anthony Eric Villarreal had last been seen April 8 but decided to turn himself in on Wednesday. His attorney first informed officials of the suspect’s decision. Villarreal was booked into the Harrison County Jail Wednesday morning.

TYLER – TxDOT crews in Henderson and Gregg counties worked on roadways Tuesday night, one making emergency repairs to a roadway compromised by rain, the other to clear an overturned truck. Crews also made emergency repairs to an area of State Highway 19 North, identified late Tuesday afternoon in Athens. The roadway had been compromised by the rain that has over-saturated the area during the last few months. The location was about a mile and a half north of Loop 7 at the bridge. Traffic was reduced to one lane for the repairs, which were completed at about 8:30 Tuesday night, allowing the roadway to return to normal traffic flow. Continue reading TxDOT Completes Some Roadwork while Other Projects Continue

LONGVIEW — The key witness in a Longview shooting death now is housed in the Gregg County Jail along with the man charged in the crime. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Larry Pleasant, 23, of Longview, who gave a statement to police in February that led to the arrest of another Longview man in a fatal gas station shooting, was arrested Monday and accused of violating his probation. Christian Sibley was charged with murder in April in connection to the February shooting of Jerrad Hunt at a store on Estes Parkway. Police said it was Pleasant who drove Hunt to Good Shepherd Medical Center after the shooting, and Hunt died there 20 days later. Sibley has remained in the jail on $270,000 bond since April 27, charged with murder and escape from custody. Continue reading Longview Shooting Witness Jailed with Man He Identified

CHEROKEE COUNTY — An East Texas man was hospitalized after officials say he broke into a house and was shot by the owner. It happened around 8:30 Tuesday morning on County Road 4808, several miles south of Troup. According to KETK, the homeowner said a man had broken into her house and she shot him. She said the her husband had the man detained until deputies arrived. The suspect was taken to a Tyler hospital. The suspect is said to be in stable condition. Charges will be filed through Cherokee County for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. The names of the homeowner and attacker are not being released at this time.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House gave final approval Tuesday to a limited medical marijuana bill that would give epilepsy patients access to trace amounts of cannabis oil. Approved was Senate Bill 339, sponsored by state Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler. The next stop is Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, marking a milestone that marijuana-reform advocates say is nothing short of historic in Texas. The Republican hasn’t said whether he will sign one of the most talked-about measures in his first legislative session as governor. Continue reading Medical Marijuana Bill Gets Final House Approval

TYLER — The mayor of Tyler addressed the Rose City Tuesday at its annual State of the City Luncheon. Martin Heines said he enjoyed looking back on the positive but that it takes a group effort to grow. Heines told KETK, “This entire community is incredible — how we partner to get things done. As a city, we do (a) very, very good job. Our staff is excellent, very efficient, and we do good customer service. And that’s really what a city does.” Heines says the city wants to focus on education and entrepreneurship.

TYLER — Several of the Smith County roads damaged in storms on May 10 have been repaired and reopened, according to information from the county. Roads that remain closed due to washed-out/collapsed culverts include County Roads 496 (from CR 41 to CR 497; pictured) and 411 (between CR 472 and FM 849). All other roads affected by culvert washouts have been repaired and, although they still may need pavement replacement, have been reopened to drivers, according to officials. They include County Roads 42, 424, and 499. Continue reading Smith County Updates Road Conditions Following Storms

TYLER — The Smith County Road & Bridge Department is asking the public for help in identifying the people responsible for shooting road equipment last Sunday. Officials say a motor grader parked in the rural area of County Roads 26 and 246, north of Arp and Overton, was shot with a shotgun sometime during the night on Sunday. All of the switches and the electronic instrument panel, doors, windows, and seat of the machine were shot, County Engineer Frank Davis said. A stop sign was also shot and stolen. About 250 spent shotgun shell casings were found at the scene, as well as other items of evidence. A second motor grader parked in the area was not damaged. Continue reading Smith County Equipment Damaged

LONGVIEW — With no discussion and to grateful applause, the Longview City Council voted unanimously Monday to shut down red light cameras in the city. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. With the decision against renewing the city’s deal with the Phoenix-based company that has provided technology and equipment for the system since 2007, the photo enforcement program will end when the current contract lapses May 27. The move came after the urging of many Longview residents opposed to the system and against the recommendation of the Longview Police Department. It was one of the first votes by four members who had been sworn in to their new duties just minutes earlier. Continue reading Longview Council Votes to End Red-Light Camera Program

MARSHALL — Marshall Police Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa has issued a warning about “flakka,” a new synthetic drug that has made its way into Texas. KETK reports the drug was initially reported as hitting the streets of Florida. News of its move into Texas came in a report earlier this month from the North Texas Poison Control Center at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. The drug, also known on the street as “gravel,” comes in crystalline rock form. It can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or used in an e-cigarette and vaped. Though there haven’t yet been any reports of the drug in Marshall, Campa warns citizens to be on the lookout as flakka can cause fatal side effects, which include agitation, incoherence, violent behavior, increased strength, increased body temperatures (up to 105 degrees) and paranoia.

HOUSTON (AP) – The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review an appeal from a 54-year-old East Texas man sent to death row for strangling his mother, leaving her body in the bathtub at her home for two days, and then burying her in her backyard more than 11 years ago. Tracy Beatty went to the high court after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last summer rejected arguments he had deficient legal help at his 2004 trial in Tyler for the slaying of Carolyn Click, 62. The justices refused his appeal Monday without comment. Beatty had been paroled to his mother’s home in Tyler from a 15-year prison term for theft from Dallas County. When arrested for her slaying, he already was in jail for auto theft and weapons possession.

WACO — Several East Texans have been arrested in connection with the Sunday fatal gang shooting in Waco. According to KETK, the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office names James Laray Gray, 61, of Tyler; Jason Lee Cavazos, 40, Arp; Marshall Mitchell, 64, of Longview; Jason Dillard, 39, of Winona and Kyle Smith, 48, of Kilgore. The Twin Peaks corporate office has revoked the franchise agreement of its Waco location following the biker brawl resulting in the deaths of nine people. The shooting happened outside Twin Peaks restaurant, just off Interstate 35, around noon on Sunday.

WHITEHOUSE — A special session of the city council is held in Whitehouse Monday night. Mayor Charles Parker said five city employees, including the city manager and police chief, were placed on paid leave last Friday pending the outcome of an investigation. The majority of the meeting was held in executive session, according to KETK. Parker spoke to the public saying City Manager, Kevin Huckabee, placed himself on administrative leave last week. After coming back from executive session, the council voted to continue his administrative leave pending a city investigation. Continue reading Whitehouse City Employees Remain under Investigation

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Marijuana supporters are on the brink of a small victory they say is nonetheless significant in the conservative Texas Legislature. The Republican-controlled House on Monday approved Senate Bill 339, from state Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler, legalizing trace amounts of a marijuana plant extract for medicinal purposes. The cannabis oil wouldn’t produce the high associated with other parts of marijuana. Parents of children with intractable epilepsy have pleaded with lawmakers all session, saying the oil helps control seizures. A doctor would have to provide a prescription if the law is signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Since current Texas law doesn’t allow any form of medical marijuana, advocates say this has been their most successful Texas legislative session in history. Other proposals to decriminalize marijuana penalties are unlikely to pass, but made notable progress after years of being stymied.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is arrested on an arson complaint. Jason Virgil Hadley, 39, is also charged with resisting arrest or transport. His bonds total $21,000. He is accused of setting the fire that caused moderate damage inside a closet and minor smoke damage in a hall. The home owner had the fire out when firemen arrived. There were no injuries.

LONGVIEW — A Palestine woman has been arrested in Longview on a charge of aggravated assault/family violence. Bond for Joy Laquinneius Nelson, 22, was set at $5,000. She’s accused of hitting a man in the face with a shovel. She told a sheriff’s deputy, who is said to have witnessed the incident, that she was defending herself.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Republican Governor Greg Abbott has issued his first veto, striking down a ceremonial resolution saluting mental health professionals statewide. A House Concurrent Resolution by Nacogdoches Republican Representative Travis Clardy (pictured) commended mental health professionals as part of National Mental Health Month, observed each May. But Abbott said in a veto proclamation Monday that the Texas Constitution “requires all laws to be passed as bills” and “new law cannot be made by concurrent resolution.” He said the resolution “purports to direct the actions of state agencies in the manner of a law,” thus going “beyond the proper bounds of a concurrent resolution.” Abbott took office in January. As governor, he has 10 days to sign or veto laws approved by the Legislature, though any he takes no action on become law automatically.

TYLER — A come and go open house will be held at Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. regarding the Palace, 26th, and Grand projects. City officials say members of the community are invited to view proposed plans for the area. Those include improvements along North Palace Ave. from West Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard to West 29th Street; North Grand Avenue from West Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard to West 29th Street; and West 26th Street from North Broadway Avenue to North Grand Avenue. Continue reading Open House for Palace, 26th, and Grand Roadway Project

TYLER — Drivers will want to plan ahead for some roadwork coming up later this month. City officials say milling and resurfacing of failed pavement in various areas along Rice/Shiloh Road will begin the week of May 24. Construction is expected to last a week and is dependent upon weather. Three locations will be resurfaced, including the curves of Shiloh Road around Sweetbriar Lane, Rice Road around Kinsey Drive, and Rice Road around Plantation Drive. Lane closures are to be expected in these locations from Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29. Drivers should use caution due to possible uneven pavement conditions.

VAN (AP) – School has resumed in an East Texas town more than a week after a tornado killed two residents and left at least 40 people hurt. Students in grades four through 12 reported for classes Monday at three schools in Van. The other two schools in Van, 70 miles southeast of Dallas, were severely damaged in the May 10 twister and remain closed. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade will not have to return this term due to that campus damage. Van schools spokeswoman Lynsey Admire says the Texas Education Agency has granted a waiver, so classes missed last week won’t be made up. Graduation will be held May 29 at Tyler Junior College. The last day of school is June 2, a date not changed by the tornado. Continue reading School Resumes in Van after Tornado

TYLER — Trinity Mother Frances Hospital facilities experienced a power surge that temporarily disabled several of their internal network systems Saturday. It included electronic medical records, transmission of orders and lab requests, according to KETK. The medical center enacted manual downtime procedures system-wide. All systems have been restored and validated for standard use. The exact cause of the power surge is being investigated. A team of technicians and specialists worked to diagnose and restore all systems to full capacity. Some elective procedures were canceled and the patients were notified.