TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Week of October 27, 2014:
SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler this week will be placing an overlay surface on Farm Road 2813 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 2493. Be alert for lane closures and flaggers during this work. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates
MARSHALL — An East Texas student was transferred to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas following an attack at a Marshall elementary school. On Thursday shortly after 4:00, Marshall Police Department received a 911 call about a child that had been assaulted at Robert E. Lee Elementary School, located at 1315 Calloway Street. According to KETK, the attacker had run from the area when police were being alerted. Marshall officers, firefighters and medical crews responded to the scene. They discovered a 10-year-old boy had been assaulted and was in need of medical attention. The child was taken by ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall and later moved to the Children’s Medical Center due to his injuries. Continue reading Student Transferred to Dallas Hospital after Attack at School
TYLER — Less than two weeks before election day, Republican gubernatorial candidate, Greg Abbott made his way to East Texas Friday. He brought along a legendary Texas icon, Chuck Norris. The pair appeared in the Rose Room yesterday morning around 11:15. According to KETK, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott made his case on why he should be elected governor. And Chuck Norris is on his side. Keeping the borders safe and secure, education and the booming Texas economy are just some of Abbott’s biggest passions. The Republican candidate said Texas is ranked number two in the nation for women owned businesses. Continue reading Abbott/Norris Make Campaign Stop in Tyler
TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a reported armed robbery last night. I happened around 10:45 at the Super Sak, 1938 Troup Hwy. According to officers, the clerk reported two black males entered the store, one of them displaying a handgun. The armed suspect demanded money from the clerk and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. The second suspect stood watch at the door. Both suspects then left the store and fled the area. Continue reading Tyler Police Investigate Similar Style Robberies
DALLAS (AP) — A Texas company is stopping shipments of a common highway-guardrail system and conducting more crash tests after it lost a $175 million jury verdict. Trinity Industries Inc. says that it would stop selling the ET-Plus system until testing is complete. Earlier this week, a jury in federal district court in Marshall decided Trinity should pay at least $175 million for misleading regulators. A whistle-blower charged that the company changed the design of caps that go on the ends of the guardrails but didn’t tell regulators until several years later. Trinity criticized the decision and hinted that it would appeal. Critics say that when vehicles strike the guardrail ends, the guardrails don’t crumple as they should, but instead become spears that impale cars and their occupants.
CARTHAGE — The family of a murdered East Texas widow is working to send her killer back to prison. It was last May when convicted Carthage murderer Bernie Tiede was freed from prison after evidence suggested that he killed his companion, Marjorie Nugent, in an act of sudden passion related to alleged sexual abuse as a child. But now, Nugent’s family is working to have evidence released from the Panola County Sheriff’s Office that could contradict Tiede’s claim in an appeal to his life sentence. The May decision to release Tiede is still awaiting a final decision from the state’s highest criminal court. Until then, Tiede is living in Austin with Richard Linklater, the director of the 2012 film that portrayed the case.
EAST TEXAS — East Texans and visitors can enjoy big events in a couple of towns this weekend. The “Hottest Little Festival in Texas,” the Hot Pepper Festival, is scheduled for Saturday in the Palestine Main Street District. Activities this year include a BBQ & Chili Cook-Off, Peppers & Patriots Parade, a Veterans tribute, live music, beer gardens, arts & crafts, food vendors, a kid’s zone, and much more. It’s also time for a real “hog-wild” event: the 7th annual Fall Feral Hog Festival in Ben Wheeler Friday and Saturday. That one features the World Championship Wild Hog Cook Off, a parade, and live music at several venues. You can learn more about both festivals on the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.
QUITMAN — Wood County Crimestoppers is asking the public to be on the lookout for a local criminal. KETK reports Samuel Richard Robertson, 43, is wanted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office for failing to comply with sex offender registration. Robertson stands 5’10”, weighs 195 pounds, and has green eyes and brown hair. If you see him or know of his whereabouts, contact Wood County Crimestoppers at (903) 763-CASH (2274).
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation is hosting Virtual Open House meetings to seek public feedback on the I-20 East Texas Corridor Draft Implementation Plan. Officials say these online information sessions provide the public with a summary of the study, including proposed highway improvements, and welcome questions and comments electronically. Continue reading TxDOT Seeks Public Input on I-20 Plan for East Texas
LONGVIEW — Spring Hill schools name a lone finalist for their new superintendent. KETK reports Steven Snell is set to start December 1. The Hutto public school administrator was selected by Spring Hill’s board this week from a field of six candidates. Snell says he’s honored to have been chosen.
LONGVIEW — An unsolved killing has Longview police continuing to look for clues. On August 28 at 3:51 a.m., Longview Police were dispatched to a gunshots heard call in the 100 block of West Garfield Street. When officers arrived they were told someone fired several shots into the apartment, striking two victims The suspect(s) fled the scene before officers arrived. One of those victims was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released. The other victim, 33 year-old Tyson Patterson (pictured), died at the scene. Continue reading Longview Police Still Searching for Answers to Homicide
TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for intentionally scalding a two year old child who is the son of his girlfriend. Timothy Choice, 25, of Tyler was found guilty Wednesday after the jury deliberated around 90 minutes. He was sentenced yesterday. The boy was transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas following the incident in July of last year. He suffered severe second degree burns after Choice is said to have put the boy in the hot water because he had wet himself and had not used the toilet.
TYLER — Today is the last day to request a ballot by mail for the November 4 election. To request a ballot by mail, voters can fill out an application at http://www.smith-county.com on the elections Web page, then return it to scelections@smith-county.com via email. Applications may also be faxed to 903-590-4778. Continue reading Today Is the Last Day to Request a Mail Ballot
CHAPEL HILL — Three are in custody following a Smith County drug raid. Around 6:00 yesterday morning, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Special Services and Criminal Investigations Division detectives along with patrol deputies executed a search warrant at the 15800 block of Highway 64 East in the eastern portion of Smith County. Officials say Judge Christi Kennedy of the 114st State District Court issued the warrant authorizing the search of the residence following an investigation lasting several months. Continue reading Three Nabbed in Drug Raid
JACKSON HEIGHTS — A missing woman has been found, with the help of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say patrol deputies responded around 7:20 Wednesday evening to a report of a missing person in the Jackson Heights community, in the eastern part of the county. Upon arrival, the deputies learned that around noon, a 53-year-old female had entered an extremely dense area of the woods in an attempt to locate one of the fishing ponds. She was reported to have in her possession a fishing pole and a tackle box. The responding deputies requested additional assistance in searching for the missing lady. With the help of the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department, they entered the wooded area and began searching. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office Helps Find Missing Woman
TYLER — A substantial hike is coming November 1 for inspection fees from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office. According to KETK, the fees have remained the same since the mid 80s. But over time, the cost of conducting these inspections continues to increase. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, Jim Seaton, Smith County’s late fire marshal, initiated the increase. The office surveyed various cities, taking into consideration the actual time it takes to conduct these inspections as well as how much it costs in fuel to get to a given location. Based on the information from these surveys, county commissioners approved the request. Continue reading Big Hike in Smith County Inspection Fees
TYLER — An East Texas man who was wanted for child pornography has been arrested in San Antonio. According to the Lindale Police Department, Gaylord Stevens was arrested by the United States Marshal Service Wednesday. KETK reports that Stevens has three felony arrest warrants for Possession of Child Pornography. The suspect was also arrested January 2, 2014, for cruelty to livestock. He was released a week later on $2,000 bond. On January 13, the horses at the center of the crime, were seized in a hearing. Officers have been taking care of their needs and the horses have been under veterinarian care since the city took custody.
TYLER – Reports of shots fired kept Tyler police busy late Wednesday afternoon. Just before 6:00pm, there were numerous 911 calls about shots being fired in the area of Center and Locust. At the same time, one person ran into the Smith County Sheriff’s Office building and reported seeing two subjects firing weapons. Calls continued to come in with some stating that there were two subjects with rifles. Tyler Police officers responded to the area and swept multiple blocks without finding any indication that there was or had been an active shooter incident. One witness said he saw two black males firing guns at a house near the intersection of Center and Thomas. At the house officers found several firearms but found no reason to make an arrest. According to Sergeant Adam Colby, evidence was gathered from the scene and the case will be forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division for follow up.
LONGVIEW — Wednesday was a trying day for law enforcement and highway crews who found themselves working two wrecks along part of I-20 in Gregg County. But westbound lanes west of Estes Parkway reopened Wednesday evening. The overturned cattle truck from the first crash that occurred between 6 and 6:30 am shut down the inside westbound lanes for some 12 hours. The second crash involving eight vehicles occurred in late afternoon just a couple of miles from the first scene, requiring I-20 traffic to be diverted. Continue reading Lanes Reopen on Stretch of I-20 near Estes Parkway
TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a training class on organized crime October 24 and 25 for all members of law enforcement and Smith County area communities. According to a news release, organized crime including drug cartels is a major problem that, until fairly recently, was little known. SCSO officials say their goal is to educate law enforcement and the public to recognize some of the signs of organized crime. On Friday, the 24th, SCSO will be offering an eight-hour class on organized crime presented primarily by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration for those in the law enforcement community. Saturday, officials will open this presentation to both law enforcement and the community at large. Continue reading SCSO Hosts Organized Crime Training Class for the Public
CONROE (AP/Staff) – A prosecution request to remove the judge handling the felony child abuse case against Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson has been denied. Montgomery County state District Judge Kelly Case (pictured) will remain on the case following a recusal hearing yesterday. Retired Tarrant County District Judge Jeff Walker denied a request by prosecutors, who had accused Case of being biased against them. Peterson, a former star for Palestine High School, is charged with injury to a child for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. He is on paid leave and Case has set a tentative trial date of December 1. A motion to revoke Peterson’s bond for alleged marijuana use has been on hold until the recusal issue was resolved.
HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – Prosecutors say a 42-year-old East Texas inmate has been indicted for threatening to kill a federal judge. George Yarborough, a former Houston resident, is facing a count of mailing a threatening communication. Yarborough is incarcerated at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison in Anderson County. Prosecutors say he will be transferred to federal custody to make an initial court appearance in the coming days. They say Yarborough in September mailed a letter to a judge in Houston that contained the death threat. he punishment for such a threat is up to 10 years in federal prison. TDCJ records show Yarborough has a criminal record that includes convictions for theft, burglary and drug possession.
TYLER — The Smith County Road and Bridge Department has recently received several calls about campaign signs placed in the county right-of-way, according to county officials. The county right-of-way is defined as the space between utility lines and the road’s edge. Signs placed behind utility lines are considered to be on private property. Campaign signs in the right-of-way are routinely picked up by the Smith County Road and Bridge Department. Signs on private property will not be removed. Signs that have been removed from the county right-of-way can be picked up at the County Road and Bridge Office at 1700 West Claude Street, Tyler, TX 75702 until the current election cycle ends. Unclaimed signs will be disposed of immediately after the November 2014 election concludes.
LUFKIN (AP) – East Texas police have arrested a man and woman who they say dumped a gallon-sized bag of marijuana into a day care trash can. Fifty-year-old Frederick Ruth and 40-year-old Youlanda Whitaker have been charged with possessing marijuana in a drug-free zone and possessing a dangerous drug. Lufkin police say they received a report Monday of two people bagging up marijuana in a car. Officers found it in the Noah’s Ark Early Education Center Day Care and say Ruth and Whitaker were inside. They say Ruth turned over a small bag of marijuana. Officers found the larger bag in a bathroom after employees reported seeing Whitaker enter with a shopping bag. Police didn’t say why the suspects were at the day care.
TYLER – Tyler police are looking for Ramon Avila, 40, in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred last night. Around 7:45 a 911 call said that a person had been shot at 222 South Adams. Officers found a woman with a leg wound. She was rushed to East Texas Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The victim and two witnesses identified Avila as the shooter. The arrest warrant charges him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was last seen driving a dark green 2004 Nissan Titan, TX LP- BT03370. Tyler police say Avila should be considered armed and dangerous.
PLANO (AP) — The oldest-ever member of the U.S. House has been transferred from a hospital to a rehabilitation center to continue his recovery from injuries suffered in a car wreck. In a statement Tuesday, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall said the 91-year-old Texas Republican was discharged from Medical Center of Plano over the weekend to an inpatient rehabilitation center. Aide Natalie Raulston said Hall, whose district at one time included Smith County, suffered a broken nose and broken femur October 4 when the vehicle in which he was riding slammed into another that turned in front of his in Trenton, about 60 miles northeast of Dallas. The drivers were not injured. Hall is to leave office in January after losing a May Republican primary runoff for the 4th Congressional District seat.
LONGVIEW – According to the autopsy report, a teenage Longview robbery suspect was shot five times by police and had marijuana in his system. The autopsy for Justin Aguilar, 15, was returned in June and was released by authorities yesterday. The Forest Park Middle School student was a suspect in the attempted robbery of the New-Way convenience store in the 1300 block of South Green Street March 9th. He was shot in a standoff with officers. Continue reading Longview Teen Robbery Suspect Shot Five Times
LONGVIEW – A Gilmer woman was sentenced Tuesday to 120 days in prison and 10 years probation after pleading guilty to intoxication manslaughter. Sarah Reeves, 35, had originally been charged with driving while intoxicated in the accident in which she hit Lynden Bell, 24, of Longview. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the accident occurred November 21, 2012, in the 1900 block of Lee Street in the Pine Tree area. When Lee died two days later, the charge was changed to intoxication manslaughter. Reeves could have gotten up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
LINDALE — Lindale police have released pictures of the alleged driver involved in last weekend’s high-speed chase in Smith County. According to KETK, police say they are looking for Carlos Bonilla, 22, who was last seen near Garden Valley Road in Tyler. The chase began shortly after 9:00 p.m. Friday on Highway 69 in Lindale. Police say they were conducting a traffic stop when Bonilla pulled out a weapon. He then reportedly sped off with police following close by. During the high speed pursuit Bonilla allegedly shot at police. Continue reading Police Release Pictures of High-Speed Chase Suspect
MT. PLEASANT — A story concerning Ebola is circulating East Texas and causing fears in the community. KETK reports a local hospital has released a statement to quell the concerns. The Titus Regional Medical Center put out the following release from Shannon Norfleet, RN, Director of Community Relations & Education: “TRMC has received several calls and comments regarding a circulating Facebook hoax about an Ebola case in Mount Pleasant. Please always be aware (or beware) of your online ‘news’ sources – feednewz.com is a pranking website and the circulating post is completely false. This hoax information has been shared with our local public information officers and news media as well.”