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LONGVIEW — A Pine Tree ISD bus driver is on administrative leave after she found a gun and did what seemed like the right thing to do: she turned it in to the administration. The employee tells KETK on September 26, she was on her way to pick up her students and take them to school. She reportedly found the firearm on Fairmont Street, across from campus, immediately called police, and turned the gun over to the school’s administration. She says she was shocked to find out in turn, she was put on administrative leave. But school officials wouldn’t tell her why. Pine Tree ISD has declined comment. The employee says she was told she’ll be reinstated Monday. The gun was found just days before student Christopher Jones was arrested for allegedly threatening to carry out the “greatest shooting ever” at Pine Tree High School.

JACKSONVILLE — The former leader of a now extinct controversial and anti-government religious group that formed in East Texas has been transferred to Canada after nearly 35 years on the run. KETK reports House of Israel leader Robert Fotti, aka Robert Fox, was released from authorities in Texas to Canadian authorities on Tuesday. The case dates to a 1977 incident in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Officials say a man and his son riding a motorcycle were struck and killed by a car driven by Fotti after the car ran a red light. Continue reading “House of Israel” Leader Turned Over to Canada after Decades on the Run

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is behind bars for allegedly hitting his girlfriend after she reportedly used a racial slur. According to KETK, judicial records indicate Devonte Ballard, 22, was arrested Thursday at a residence in the 1000 block of Oden Street near Timpson Park. The probable cause report states police saw Ballard’s girlfriend on the porch with a large, bloody gash on her swollen eye. According to police, Ballard’s girlfriend called him the slur and as a response, Ballard hit her. The medical staff on hand said there is a strong chance the woman’s eye socket is fractured. Ballard was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a single count of aggravated assault causing bodily injury. His bond has been set at $10,000.

TYLER – A Tyler police officer has been slightly injured in an accident on Loop 323 and old Bullard Road. It happened around 8:30 Thursday night. According to Sgt. Matt Leigeber, the officer was in his patrol car, traveling east in the inside lane on the loop, when a westbound car turned south, directly into his path. Both vehicle sustained extensive damage. The officer, who was not identified in the police department news release, sustained minor but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to East Texas Medical Center. The other driver, who was not injured, was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way while making a left turn.

WHITEHOUSE – A shooting in Whitehouse has resulted in one person nearly being shot, and the shooter committing suicide. It started shortly after 7:00 yesterday morning in the 800 block of Rugby Street. Whitehouse police say Joseph Walton, 41, of Fort Worth, showed up at his estranged wife’s house armed with a shotgun. KETK reports, when the she opened the door to let out her barking dogs, Walton is said to have broken into the house and a struggle followed. He wrestled a gun from her and fired a shot at her friend in the house. The friend dove behind a desk and was not hit. Walton is then said to have put the gun to his head and fired. He was dead at the scene.

CONROE (ESPN/STAFF) — Prosecutors in Montgomery County have filed paperwork to have Adrian Peterson’s bail revoked and the Minnesota Vikings running back re-arrested. That’s after the former Palestine star reportedly told a court employee that he had recently smoked marijuana before taking a drug test Wednesday. Peterson made his first court appearance in Texas on Wednesday since his indictment last month on a felony child abuse charge. According to the filing signed by Montgomery County District Attorney Bill Delmore, Peterson admitted to a court employee that he had “smoked a little weed” before the test. Not taking any illegal drugs is a common condition to adhere to when out on bond. Continue reading Prosecutors Seek Peterson’s Re-Arrest

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department needs your help in identifying the suspect who is displayed in the attached photo. Police say this suspect was stopped for a traffic violation in Tyler on August 12. The suspect allegedly presented fraudulent identification to the officer indicating he was from Illinois. Police say at the time of the stop the suspect was towing a flatbed trailer and 4-wheeler that was later determined to be stolen from Cold Spring, Texas. The suspect is also believed to have opened several department store accounts with the same fraudulent identification. Anyone with information about this suspect is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

MARSHALL — During the fall season, there seems to be an increase of scams that are reported to the local law enforcement agencies, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports the most recent scam is a notice from PayPal. If you quickly read the email, you’ll notice the logo for PayPal is slightly different; the email return for the fictitious account is to a Luxemburg address, and at the very bottom of the page it identifies the email as coming from a “Registered Office: Luxemburg.” Continue reading Authorities Warn of PayPal Scam

WASKOM — An East Texas teacher accused of inappropriately texting a student has resigned from his position amid an ongoing investigation into that and other allegations. According to KETK, Waskom ISD Superintendent Jimmy E. Cox says Justin James Kelly, 24, of Waskom, put in his resignation Thursday morning. He was on paid administrative leave until the most recent development, per normal protocol. The high school agricultural science teacher was charged with online solicitation of a minor after the school police department was alerted to alleged inappropriate text messages sent to a female student. Police said he admitted to the accusations during an interview. Kelly was booked into the Harrison County Jail on $25,000 bond.

KILGORE — The City of Kilgore has put a hold on the funding distribution to its hotel project. According to KETK, city officials say the hotel group was asking for too much money. The city puts tax dollars back into programs and boards that attract more people to Kilgore, such as hotels and the chamber of commerce. Officials say the hotel advisory board asked the city for $43,000 — more than what’s available in the budget. A special meeting will be held in two weeks, at which the Hotel Occupancy Tax Board will meet with Kilgore’s city council to work out a new budget.

SMITH COUNTY — Law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help identifying the person or people responsible for illegally dumping a large amount of tires in Smith County. According to KETK, Precinct 4 Constable John Smith said his office is offering $250 for any information leading to the arrest and indictments of those responsible. The tires and other items were found across from Jackson Water Supply Well Number 5, located at 6450 FM 2908 near Tyler. Contact Constable Smith at 903-590-4871 or jsmith5@smith-county.com if you have any information on this case.

NACOGDOCHES — Two people were arrested Tuesday for their alleged involvement with a child prostitute in Nacogdoches. According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, detectives arrested Stanley Warren Turner, 61, of Nacogdoches and Marashia Lasha Robinson, 24, of Nacogdoches, for the prostitution of a 14 year old girl. According to KETK, back on August 20, a runaway girl from another town was reported to local police. The teenager told officers she had spent some time in Nacogdoches, and while there, she had sexual relations with men. Continue reading Two Arrested for Reportedly Prostituting Teen

TYLER — The completion of pavement rehabilitation and lane reconfigurations on Rice/Shiloh Road from Old Jacksonville Highway to Troup Highway is scheduled for today. To increase safety and traffic flow, a continuous two-way left turn median has been provided, officials say. This new median offers a designated safe way for vehicles making left turns at intersections and driveways, according to a news release. The reconfigured roadway provides one or more eastbound lanes, two westbound lanes, and a continuous center turn lane. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution and observe new warning and regulatory signs as well as pavement markings.

TYLER – The charges against an East Texas man whose child died in a hot truck in June have been modified, according to Smith County judicial records. KETK reports Russell Lindstrom, 33, of Flint, was originally charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child. Jail records now indicate Lindstrom has been charged with two counts of injury to a child. In addition to the change in charges, Lindstrom’s bond is now set at $175,000. Just this past August, State District Judge Kerry Russell of Tyler had lowered Lindstrom’s bond from $200,000 to $125,000. Lindstrom remains in Smith County Jail. Continue reading Charges Modified in Death of Child in Hot Truck

CONROE (AP/Staff) – A Texas judge has tentatively set a December 1 trial date for Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson on a charge of felony child abuse for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. Judge Kelly Case set the date Wednesday as the former Palestine star made his first court appearance in suburban Houston for the incident that occurred earlier this year. Peterson did not enter a plea, though his attorney said he will eventually plead not guilty to the charge that carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. Peterson is on paid leave. The Vikings’ final game of the season is December 28. Continue reading December Trial Date Set in Peterson Abuse Case

TYLER –- Authorities are investigating an accident around 10:40 last night that left a pedestrian dead. Officers with the Tyler Police Department responded to the area of 4700 Old Jacksonville Highway in reference to a report of a pedestrian, who had been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian, Daniel Brandon Williams, 36, of Tyler, was said to be deceased by the time officers arrived. The driver of the vehicle had stopped and was waiting for officers. Continue reading Fatal Pedestrian Accident Victim Identified

TYLER – A motorcyclist who was killed after colliding with a vehicle in Tyler has been identified. He is Patrick Pugh, 23, of Tyler. Around 7:15 Monday evening, officers were notified of a major traffic accident at the intersection of Van Highway and Loop 323 involving a motorcycle and a car. EMS and the Tyler Fire Department were also dispatched to the scene where the motorcyclist was found to have life-threatening injuries and was quickly taken to a local hospital. He died shortly after 10:00 Monday night. Continue reading Identity of Motorcyclist Killed Monday Released

TYLER – Several businesses and individuals have been honored at the annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. It was held Tuesday night at the Harvey Convention Center. Named as Tyler’s outstanding citizen of the year was Dr. Duane Andrews who received the T.B. Butler Award. Named as Tyler’s outstanding citizen under the age of 40 was Michael Lavender, who received the W.C. Windsor award. And the volunteer of the year award went to Michael Weiss, of Personal Web. Continue reading Awards Presented at Annual Chamber Meeting

QUITMAN – A student at Quitman’s middle school has been suspended after bringing a steak knife to school. The incident happened around noon Tuesday when school officials when the student displayed the knife and made threats with it. School Superintendent said in a letter on the school district’s web page, “The student was immediately confined and the weapon was confiscated without incident. No students or staff were injured.” Turner said “This is a violation of district policy and student code of conduct. School imposed disciplinary measures will occur and the school is cooperating with local law enforcement.”

TYLER — A phone scam involving con artists pretending to be IRS agents is currently hitting the East Texas area. In just the last two days, BBB Serving Central East Texas has received dozens of phone calls from consumers in Tyler area who have received these fraudulent calls. The IRS has put out an alert on the scam saying: “The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due via the U.S. mail. The IRS never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone” Continue reading Warning about IRS Scam

TYLER – The Business and Technology Dean at the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. James Lumpkin, has been presented the Academy of Marketing Science’s 2014 Harold W. Berkman Service Award. The award is the academy’s most prestigious and bears the name of the AMS founder. The award, which is given in recognition of long-term service to the academy and the marketing profession, has only been bestowed 10 times in the academy’s 42-year history. Lumpkin is the UT Tyler F.M. and Fannie Burke professor and dean of the College of Business and Technology. He has served the university since June 2014. Continue reading U-T Tyler Dean Receives Award

LONGVIEW — The new passenger boarding bridge for East Texas Regional Airport was delivered today. Construction cranes began arriving at 6:00am and the first lift commenced at around 7:00. An additional crane was to arrive later and additional lifts occurred at midmorning. The bridge is manufactured by ThyssenKrupp who has provided passenger boarding bridges (PBB) across the country and around the world. The PBB was manufactured in Fort Worth. Installation of the PBB is part of the ongoing East Texas Regional Airport renovations and upgrade providing improved service to the flying public in East Texas.

SMITH COUNTY A shooting in the northeastern part of Smith County has left one person dead and one in custody. The shooting occurred around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon in the 15000 block of Shady Creek Road in the Jackson Oak neighborhood. Killed was Walter Elder, 65, of Tyler. He was found in his car which had crashed into a tree. The suspect is identified as Kenneth Stearns, 55, of Tyler (pictured). Continue reading 1 Killed, 1 in Custody after Smith Co. Shooting

LUFKIN (AP) – East Texas police have arrested two men who they say stole a cellphone from a teenager and gave away their location when they answered the phone. 23-year-old Makio Houston and 19-year-old Cornielus Lewis are charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Two teenagers tell police they were robbed of the phone Sunday night in Lufkin. One teen’s relative called the stolen phone and says the robbers said they were at an area tobacco shop. Police went to the store and arrested the men. They are being held at the Angelina County Jail on bonds of more than $200,000. Online records didn’t indicate an attorney for either man.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has pleaded guilty to a murder last spring. Cedric Bernard Carldwell, 44, pleaded guilty yesterday in an appearance before 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles. A pre-sentence investigation was requested before Carldwell is sentenced next month. And the murder charge will be enhanced by a 1991 felony conviction on a prohibited weapon charge. He could get up to life in prison. Continue reading Guilty Plea in Longview Murder Case

PLANO (AP/STAFF) — An aide says the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House is recovering after surgery to repair hip injuries from a weekend car accident in North Texas. A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall said Monday that the Texas Republican continues to recover in Medical Center of Plano after surgery. A hospital spokeswoman said Hall’s condition was stable late Monday. The 91-year-old congressman, whose district once included Smith County, was airlifted to the hospital Saturday after suffering a hip injury and minor cuts and bruises when a car turned in front of his vehicle in Trenton, about 60 miles northeast of Dallas. The drivers were not injured. Hall lost a 4th Congressional District primary challenge in a Republican runoff election in May. He is scheduled to leave office in January.

OVERTON — Due to low water pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is requiring the City of Overton water system to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for consumption.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce holds its annual meeting tonight at Harvey Convention Center. The Chamber will review the past year, look ahead to the coming year, and welcome new leadership. There will also be awards handed out, including the two top honors, the T.B. Butler and W.C. Windsor Awards.

JACKSONVILLE — Law enforcement officials have identified the drivers and passenger involved in a Monday afternoon fatal crash near Jacksonville. According to KETK Trooper Jean Dark, at 1:50 p.m., a woman was driving her vehicle north on Highway 69 behind a semi when she failed to control her speed and hit the back of the 18-wheeler headed in the same direction. She died at the scene. Authorities identified her as Kelly Lewis, 52, of Rusk.
Continue reading DPS: 1 Dead, 1 Seriously Injured in Crash near Jacksonville

WASHINGTON – Three Athens residents have been indicted on charges associated with their alleged smuggling of imitation, unapproved, and misbranded prescription drugs from China. Wanda Hollis, 63, Tom Giddens, 57, and Catherine Nix, 41, were each charged with one felony count of conspiracy to smuggle merchandise into the United States, seven counts of causing the introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud or mislead, seven counts of smuggling and one count of tampering with a witness. Giddens was also charged with two additional counts of tampering and Nix was charged with one additional tampering count. The defendants were also charged with misdemeanor counts of causing misbranded imitation drugs to be introduced into interstate commerce. Nix was arrested on October 2 in Athens. Giddens and Hollis surrendered yesterday morning. Continue reading Three Indicted in Prescription Drug Smuggling Ring