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QUITMAN — A man allegedly involved in the deaths of two children had his bond lowered after the prosecution determined the suspect could not currently be convicted. According to KETK, documents from the 402nd Judicial District show Thomas J. Liles, Jr., had his bond lowered to $20,000 for each injury to a child by omission charge. He had been in the Wood County Jail on $1 million bond. Liles was arrested on July 24, 2014, by the Quitman Police Department for allegedly tampering with evidence. That same day, officers responded to reports of two young children who were not breathing. When authorities arrived, they found Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1, dead. It was later determined they had died from blunt force trauma to the head and trunk in a homicide. Continue reading Man Linked to Quitman Toddlers’ Deaths Has Bond Reduced

TYLER — A gunman is on the loose following an incident early Wednesday morning. Around 5:20 a.m., Tyler Police responded to 2428 Plume in reference to an aggravated assault. Upon arrival officers located a 28-year-old man, identified as Joshua Amos Carrillo, who had been shot multiple times in the driveway of 2428 Plume. Carrillo was transported to a local hospital by EMS where he is listed in stable condition. The suspect fled the area before officers arrived on the scene. Investigators say they’ve confirmed that the suspect is Samuel Isai Ortega (pictured), 23, 5’7” tall, 110 lbs. He is believed to be driving a silver 2008 Honda Civic, Texas license plate KRY-619. Continue reading Tyler Police Search for Gunman

TYLER – A 39-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. John Blake London was indicted on Sep. 17, 2014, and pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2014. He was handed his sentence Tuesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Continue reading Convicted Felon Sentenced for Federal Firearms Violation

BIG SANDY — A five-week-old girl thrown from a vehicle during a crash east of Big Sandy has been flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. According to KETK, DPS officials said on Monday, an SUV traveling east on Highway 80 left the right side of the road and hit a culvert. The vehicle went airborne and rolled several times, eventually coming to rest on its left side. A responding trooper reported the infant appeared to have been in a child safety seat but was not strapped in at the time of the crash. The car seat was still fastened inside the vehicle when the trooper investigated. The child’s condition was not immediately available. The driver was identified as Earnest McNeary, 20, of Longview. The mother, who was in the front seat passenger side, was identified as Jasmine Link. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER – A 42-year-old Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. Terry Drennen pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2014, to possession of child pornography. Drennen was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison Tuesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. According to information presented in court, Drennen, a registered sex offender having been previously convicted of indecency with a child, was found to be in possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a child. Drennen was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 19, 2014.

TYLER — The 1910 Smith County Courthouse will be commemorated with a subject marker by the City of Tyler Historical Preservation Board. Smith County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve having the marker installed outside the present Smith County Courthouse. According to a county news release, the 1910 courthouse serves as a reminder of the importance of historic preservation. The subject marker program serves as a vital part of Tyler’s heritage by conveying stories of local, regional, state, and national history, according to the release. Officials say the marker will provide education to the public by revealing the historical background of the Courthouse. The history of the county’s sixth courthouse, as well as a full color digital graphic of the building, will be included on the marker. Continue reading Commissioners Approve Subject Marker for 1910 Courthouse

ATHENS (Staff/AP) — Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee is not pleased that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted Wednesday’s scheduled execution of convicted killer Randall Wayne Mays (pictured). In a statement provided Tuesday to our news partner KETK, McKee says the order “is disappointing for the family and friends” of the victims “as well as the entire law enforcement community. In Texas and the United States, the law holds that it is unconstitutional to execute a person who does not know why they are to be executed and that the execution is imminent. We believe that Mays is fully competent and that the people of Henderson County, through the jury in this case, issued a clear message in its verdict.” Continue reading DA Responds after Court Halts Wednesday Execution

TYLER — A Tyler man is in custody on charges related to burglary and copper theft. According to a news release, last Friday, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a call of a suspicious vehicle that was stuck in the mud behind a business near the intersection of Hwy 64 E. and Loop 124 (Old Henderson Hwy). It was determined by responding deputies that the truck had been used to steal several feet of copper wire and scrap metal from the business. Continue reading Suspect in Custody in Burglary and Copper Theft

BIG SANDY — The Big Sandy Police Department has arrested two people in connection with Friday’s bank robbery. According to KETK, police say Chanel Collins, 22, and Darreyel Greer, 24, were taken into custody Sunday morning for allegedly robbing the First National Bank in Big Sandy. They are currently being held in the Upshur County Jail for aggravated robbery. Each suspect’s bond has been set at $1 million. Continue reading Two Arrested in Big Sandy Bank Heist

TYLER – A multiple vehicle accident in Smith County has left one person dead. The wreck happened Monday night at the intersection of State Highway 31 East and County Road 223. The Department of Public Safety said the deceased has been identified as Jarrett Deon Rider, 31, Tyler. Officials said Rider was stopped to pull into his drive-way when he was rear-ended. Rider’s vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic, where he was struck head-on. Four other people were taken to a Tyler hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

GREGG COUNTY — The jury selection phase of an East Texas murder trial is underway. According to Gregg County judicial records, jury selection for accused murderer Coby Ray Hudgins, 23, of Gladewater, began Monday morning in a the 124th District Court of Judge Alfonso Charles. On Sunday, October 6, 2013, Kilgore police arrested Hudgins for the murder of Kayla Elizabeth Williams, 17, of Hallsville. According to KETK, the incident took place at a home in the 3000 block of Mustang Drive in Kilgore. Continue reading Jury Selection Underway in Teen’s Murder

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is using the social media to help solve seven homicides. All have occurred over the past several years. Hoping to generate some information from the public, the police posted photos of the victims along with a brief description of each case. The most recent case was that of Da’Coreyan Blankenship, 21, of Longview. Earlier this month he was found shot on the city’s south side. He later died at a Longview hospital. Continue reading Social Media Used as a Crime Fighting Tool

WINNSBORO – The Department of Public Safety continues to try and track down a vehicle involved in a Wood County hit and run. It happened last Thursday afternoon around 5:45 southeast of Winnsboro on Farm Road 852. The pedestrian was taken to Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital for treatment. DPS spokesperson Jean Dark says no one got a vehicle description, though they have a piece of the passenger side mirror to work with. With Wood County deputies going by the dealerships, they believe they have narrowed the suspect’s vehicle down to a 2006-2013 white or off white Chevy Impala. The vehicle will be missing the passenger side rear view mirror. The mirror motor assembly is believed to still be attached to the vehicle. It is believed the vehicle travels down FM 852 frequently or is at least familiar with the area. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the DPS in Tyler or Garland or their local law enforcement agency.

CUSHING – Authorities are investigating human remains found in Nacogdoches County. Initial reports are the body parts, which were found near Cushing, may have been in the area several years and foul play is suspected in the person’s death. Officials feel they may know the identity of the victim but it will take the crime lab using DNA to make a positive identification. A person looking for a pet found a bone Friday night. A search by authorities Saturday morning turned up other human remains. Sheriff Jason Bridges told KETK that evidence found at the scene has raised concern that possible foul play may have been involved. Several key body parts have been recovered that should enable authorities to use DNA to identify the victim. But that process could take several months. Currently, the investigation is being treated as a questionable death and homicide has not been ruled out.

WHITE OAK — An East Texas school district will no longer include Biblical scripture as a part of its “Thought for the Day” morning announcements. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, White Oak Superintendent Michael Gilbert says Principal Dan Noll will continue his daily positive message, but it will not contain any scripture. Gilbert suggested “adjustments” would be made to the daily intercom announcements by Noll but didn’t specify what those would be. “It [Thought for the Day] will consist of material intended to encourage students to consider positive choices in their daily life and plans for the future,” Gilbert said. “The thought for the day will come from a variety of sources and will not include chapter and verse from Scripture.” Continue reading White Oak Drops Scripture Readings from Morning Announcements

TYLER — The final defendant involved in a 2013 fatal shooting at a Tyler park has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. KETK reports Rakheem Goldstein, 21, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to murder Monday in exchange for a 20-year prison sentence. Briana Raquel Young, 20, was killed July 30, 2013, after being shot at P.T. Cole Park in Tyler. Investigators determined Young brought her three-year-old son to the park and that she was caught in crossfire when gunfire erupted. Young’s child was not harmed. It is believed that the shooting was a result of gang activity. Other defendants who were sentenced in Young’s murder are Dennis Bendy, who got life in prison, and Elisha “E.J.” Williams, who drew a 45-year prison term.

MOUNT PLEASANT – a two vehicle accident in Mount Pleasant has left one person dead. The accident happened just before 11:45 Sunday morning in the 2400 block of U.S. Highway 271. The victim is identified as Adolfo Olvera, 24, of Pittsburg. He died shortly after the wreck at Titus Regional Medical Center. KETK reports the accident happened when Olvera’s car failed to stop at a red signal light and hit a pickup driven by Teresa French Baugh, 49, of Mount Pleasant. Braugh and her passenger were not hospitalized. The crash remains under investigation.

AUSTIN — A couple of state lawmakers believe a Texas blue law regarding liquor needs to be tossed out the window. Republican Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler has introduced a bill that would allow people to continue to shop in liquor stores past the current closing time of 9:00pm. He believes the measure would give shoppers reasonable time to finish their purchases, especially on Saturday nights. A Dallas Democratic representative has introduced a bill that lets Texans begin shopping for booze earlier on Saturday so they can buy what they need to cover them through Sunday. Liquor stores could open at 9:00am instead of 10:00.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 16. These work schedules are subject to change due to weather or equipment related issues. Note: Crews around the district continue to inspect roadways and address potholes resulting from recent wet and winter conditions.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler are performing base repairs on Farm Road 2015 between Farm Road 16 and Farm Road 14 as well as patching potholes around the county. Expect FM 2015 to be reduced to one lane with traffic controlled by flaggers. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the two persons who robbed the Valero Gas Station, 2211 WSW Loop 323. It happened shortly before 11:15 Saturday night. The clerk told police that a white or Hispanic female and black male entered the store. As the woman walked around the counter, the man pointed a black semi-automatic pistol at the clerk and ordered him to raise his hands. The woman took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and put in into a plastic bag. The fled the scene on foot. The woman was described as being about 5’04”, and 150lbs. She was wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and a black bandana covering her face. The man was about 5’7″, and 140lbs. He was also wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and a white bandana that covered his face. The clerk was not injured during the robbery.

JACKSONVILLE – Cherokee County authorities are looking for a Jacksonville man in connection with a shooting. One person was injured in the incident, which was reported around 5:45 Saturday afternoon on County Road 3306. The wounded man was first taken to East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville and later taken to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler for surgery. He has not been identified. The suspect is identified as Jose Gregorio Sandoval, 44, of Jacksonville, seen here in a picture from 2005. He is said to be driving a red Dodge pickup truck, Texas License CXH-4507. He was last seen leaving his residence on Tilley Street in Jacksonville. Captain John R. Raffield with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department says what lead up to the shooting is still not clear at this time. Anyone with information on where Sandoval may be is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department or their local law enforcement agency.

MARSHALL — Bear Creek Smokehouse, a Marshall business, is recalling approximately 3,700 pounds of beef products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Saturday. The products contain soy, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label. According to the department’s web site, The barbeque beef items were produced on various dates between November 22, 2013 and January 21, 2015. The following products are subject to recall:
•1 lb. plastic containers of “Beasley’s Smokehouse Chopped Barbeque Beef with Sauce.” Continue reading Product Recall at Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall

SULPHUR SPRINGS – An elderly Sulphur Springs woman has died after being mauled by a family pet, a Rottweiler. Killed was Betty Wood. 78. Her daughter found the woman’s body on the floor of her home in the 1400 block of North Davis Street. The daughter trapped the dog in a rear room until authorities arrived. The medical examiner’s office in Dallas determined the woman had been killed by the dog. The dog, which had been quarantined by authorities, was euthanized Friday after the medical report was received. It’s not known what triggered the dog to attack. It had been a family pet for many years.

AUSTIN (AP) — Tea party-backed state Representative David Simpson of Longview, says his argument that marijuana should be legalized because God created it, and that the Lord’s creations shouldn’t be banned, wasn’t an endorsement for using pot. “There’s a lot of things that God made that are dangerous, but they’re good,” the Longview Republican who’s seeking to legalize pot for all uses, said in an interview. “He made rattlesnakes and we haven’t criminalized them yet. I don’t advocate playing with them.” Simpson says his proposal now has bipartisan co-sponsors, though he’s not ready to reveal their names. Texas currently outlaws all marijuana, including for medical use, so full legalization seems a tough sell. But that hasn’t stopped the proposal from making waves. Continue reading East Texan’s Pot Bill Drawing Attention in Austin

TYLER — A man who robbed a Tyler bank pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in a Smith County courtroom. KETK reports Judge Christi Kennedy of the 114th District Court ordered Landon Riley Womack, 31, of Tyler, to serve 10 years’ probation. Womack was arrested last October 27, shortly after holding up an Austin Bank near the intersection of Beckham Avenue and Houston Street. He was released from jail Thursday evening.

BIG SANDY — Big Sandy police continue their search for two bank robbers in an incident that’s been linked to an auto theft in Tyler. KETK reports the Big Sandy incident happened around 2:00 Friday afternoon at the First National Bank in the 900 block of West Broadway Street. Police say the robbers entered the bank and demanded cash from the clerk. It’s unknown if any weapons were involved. The two then made off in a stolen car that was taken from Tyler. They then stopped at a nearby car wash and switched vehicles. They were last seen driving a burgundy BMW heading west on Highway 80. Police say the driver of the car is a female. They say no one was injured in the robbery. Continue reading Big Sandy Bank Robbery Linked to Tyler Auto Theft

GLADEWATER — Gladewater has issued a boil water notice for residents after recent heavy rains damaged the city’s water treatment plant. That’s according to the Longview News-Journal. The city of Gladewater posted the notice Friday morning online as well as outside city hall and at the water desk where residents pay their water bills. Residents are advised to boil their water before drinking, cooking or making ice until the notice is lifted.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for any tips in a recent criminal mischief case that caused a major loss of oil at a local travel stop. According to KETK, police say during the night of March 10 and morning of March 11, a vandal opened the valves on oil tanks at the Pilot Travel Center in the 1900 block of Highway 135. About 1000 gallons of oil or $15,000 worth was lost. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Kilgore Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 903-218-6905, Tip411 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

LONGVIEW — State Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) holds a series of town hall meetings Saturday in Gregg and Upshur counties, as follows:

9:00–11:00 a.m. Yamboree Building, 1300 N Wood St., Gilmer TX 75644

12:30–2:30 p.m. Judson Community Center, 1129 FM 1844, Longview TX 75605

4:00–6:00 p.m. VFW Post 4002, 401 Ambassador Row, Longview TX 75604 Continue reading Simpson Holds Town Halls Saturday

KARNACK — For more than three quarters of a century, students have packed the classrooms at an East Texas high school that’s now on the chopping block. Beginning next fall, Karnack students in grades nine through twelve will be relocated. Officials say the move’s being made because not enough youngsters are now enrolling at Karnack High. Pupils who would have previously gone there will attend class in neighboring school districts such as the Waskom, Jefferson, and Marshall ISDs.