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TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics became the first health system between Tyler and the Metroplex to perform a single-site (incision) laparoscopic gynecological surgery in East Texas when Dr. Daren Yeager successfully completed the procedure July 22 at Mother Frances Hospital Tyler. That’s according to a Trinity Mother Frances news release. Continue reading Groundbreaking Surgery at Mother Frances

TYLER — A Dallas County physician has been convicted of 15 counts of health care fraud violations in East Texas. Tariq Mahmood, 63, of Cedar Hill, Texas, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft following a four day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider. Mahmood faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the conspiracy conviction and two years for each aggravated identity theft conviction. A sentencing date has not been set. Continue reading Texas Doctor Convicted of Health Care Fraud Violations

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Two University of Texas football players, including an East Texan, have been arrested and charged with felony sexual assault after a female student said she was raped in a campus dorm room last month. Wide receivers Kendall Sanders, who is from Athens, and Montrel Meander have been released from the university police station. According to an arrest affidavit, Sanders (pictured) and Meander texted each other during earlier interviews with police to “get their story straight.” Sanders also faces a charge of improper photography tied to the alleged assault on June 21. First-year Longhorns coach Charlie Strong, who will welcome his team to preseason training camp in two weeks, said he had suspended both players.

HENDERSON — A man convicted of sexually abusing his three stepdaughters has been sentenced to 60 years in prison with no parole. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Barney Samuel Bradshaw, 35, was arrested in September 2013 for aggravated sexual assault after it was learned he was abusing his three children under the age of 14. KETK reports the sentencing was handed down after four hours of deliberation. Family members said they plan to appeal the conviction.

SMITH COUNTY — Due to this week’s power outages in the Tyler area, the Texas Commission on Environment Quality has ordered Jackson Water Supply to issue a boil water notice. KETK reports the notice affects the area north of FM 850, but not inclusive of FM 850. The road is located in the Jackson and Chapel Hill area. The public will be updated when it is no longer necessary to boil. If you have questions concerning this matter, please call Jackson Water Supply at 903-566-1320 or 903-343-9713.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – An East Texas lawmaker is asking the attorney general to weigh in on whether a state commission has the authority to allow a new form of betting called historical racing. Republican State Rep. Dan Flynn of Van is requesting a review of devices that are like slot machines and allow people to bet on horse and dog races that have already happened. Race track owners have asked the Texas Racing Commission to allow the machines as a way to help their struggling industry. They say it’s another form of legal betting. The public still has several days to comment and the commission could vote as early as next month. But Flynn says it amounts to an expansion of gambling and would require a two-thirds vote from lawmakers and approval from voters.

LONGVIEW — A Longview church has fired a daycare worker, after church officials say she hit a child with a shoe. The Longview News-Journal report a state investigation is now in place at Oakland Heights Baptist Church. The church’s childcare center fired the employee in June. Afterwards the church notified state officials about the incident. The Worker reportedly hit the child with a shoe as punishment for taking his shoes off.

EAST TEXAS — Thousands of East Texans have been affected by power outages in the wake of Wednesday night’s storm system. The Smith County Justice of the Peace and Constable Pct. 3 Offices shut down for the day Thursday due to a prolonged outage. The Precinct 3 offices are located at 313 E. Duval Street in Troup. Electricity was expected to be restored late Thursday night and normal office hours should resume on Friday, July 25, according to a county news release. KETK reports at least ten area counties have reported significant outages. According to Oncor, some places may be in the dark until early Friday morning.

GREGG COUNTY — A trial date is set in federal court for a lawsuit in which a mother claims her son died because he was denied his prescription drugs while an inmate at the Gregg County Jail. According to the Longview News-Journal, jury selection is Feb. 9 in Marshall. Betty Madewell seeks unspecified monetary damages in the March 2013 death of her 51-year-old son, Bobby Joe Madewell Jr. Betty Madewell claims the county denied her son prescriptions for Xanax and hydrocodone. The county, which has since amended its jail drug policy to be wider, denies Madewell’s claims. Continue reading Date Set for Inmate’s Death Trial

LONGVIEW — Longview police are looking for a gunman after one person was hospitalized with a gunshot wound. It happened around 5:20 Tuesday afternoon in the 600 block of Baylor Drive at the Guthrie Creek Apartments. Arriving officers were told a suspect approached the victim in the swimming pool area of the apartment complex. The victim and suspect exchanged words and the suspect shot the victim in the head, according to reports. The victim was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released, according to KETK. The suspect fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. The shooting remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A missing Longview teenager is back home. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office had asked for help finding Hannah Nicole Barker, 15, who has last been last seen last Sunday. Jay Webb, administrative lieutenant of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, said Tuesday that Barker is believed to have run away from her home on Peggy Ruth Road. Webb said that he wants to thank the public for its assistance. He said the girl has returned home and is safe.

TYLER — Smith County commissioners have rejected two resolutions addressing possible housing for illegal immigrants. Commissioner Terry Phillips believes an overwhelming number of illegal immigrants in the county would be both a health risk and a safety concern. County Judge Joel Baker agreed with Phillips but said the county has no authority to deny cooperation with the state or federal government. Baker told KETK, “I agree that the borders need to be secure and this immigration issue needs to be dealt with in an appropriate manner, and it’s not being dealt with in an appropriate manner. But we cannot as a commissioners court effect the proper change.”

TYLER — The sprayground at Tyler’s Faulkner Park will be closed on Thursday, July 24, for maintenance. It is expected to reopen on Friday, July 25. Faulkner Park is located at 410 W. Cumberland Road.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday received a Lean Six Sigma presentation regarding Fire Department planning for future facilities. As part of the Lean Six Sigma initiative, a study was conducted concerning fire station locations in Tyler, according to a city news release. Officials say the analysis was performed to determine the most fiscally sound means for construction and staffing of stations while also addressing the need to replace some of the city’s oldest and outdated fire stations. Continue reading Fire Department Plans for Future Facilities

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater man was arrested Tuesday on a charge of solicitation of a minor. Cody Jacob Richardson, 19, is being held in Gregg County Jail on $150,000 bond after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to jail records. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office investigator Terry Mitchell said Wednesday that an offense report was filed against Richardson on June 30 by deputy Christopher Lee. According to Lee’s report, Richardson had been exchanging inappropriate text messages with a minor female. The victim’s mother told Lee that her daughter had been communicating with Richardson through a friend’s Apple iPod. Continue reading Gladewater Man Accused of Inappropriate Communication with Minor

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday was presented the City Council of the Year Award from the Texas City Management Association (TCMA). According to a city news release, the honor was based on continued commitment to ethics, prudent financial management, support for employee professional development, focus on positive community relations, and unique community initiatives. A few examples noted include a new city ethics policy, one of the lowest tax rates in the state, establishment of a comprehensive citywide Lean Six Sigma program, a AAA bond rating, zero general obligation debt, a robust city education program called City University, and the Industry Growth Initiative. Continue reading Tyler Earns City Council of the Year Honors

TYLER – A 60-year-old former meat company executive from Tyler has been sentenced to federal prison for making false statements on a loan application. Bobby Gene Loggins pleaded guilty on Dec. 5, 2013, to making false statements to a bank. He was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on July 22 by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis of Tyler. Loggins was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,773,371.52. Continue reading Former Meat Company Executive Sentenced for Loan Fraud

LONGVIEW — A chase through two East Texas counties ends in an arrest. 33-year-old Robert Moorhead was arrested Monday night. Gregg County deputies tell KETK the chase stemmed from an argument in Gladewater between Moorhead and his ex-common law wife. She claims he followed her and her four children home, then rammed his truck into her car. When deputies found Moorhead, he reportedly led them on a chase through Gregg and Smith Counties before crashing off Old Highway 135 in Liberty City. He’s now in the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas family’s dog that ran away seven years ago has been found in Tacoma, Washington, and returned thanks to a microchip implanted in the pooch. Dinah Miller of Tyler traveled to Houston on Tuesday to reclaim her Maltese named Reese. Miller says her family was visiting relatives near Dallas in 2007 when Reese got loose. The Millers received a call last weekend that their dog was found on a road in Tacoma and a veterinarian discovered the microchip with the contact information. Meanwhile, Kelli Davis of Spanaway, Washington, says her family adopted the dog at a shelter in Mesquite, Texas, about six years ago. The Davis family later moved to Washington. The pet they called Harley recently ran off. The dog was flown to Houston on Monday night.

WOOD COUNTY — A Yantis man was indicted recently for the alleged sexual abuse of two girls, ages 14 and 12. KETK reports the incidents happened about a month apart. On April 3, a Wood County deputy responded to a report of a sexual assault at the Yantis school, according to an Wood County arrest affidavit. Friends of the 12-year-old assaulted told police the victim said Joshua Michael Tutor, 20, had sexual relations with her on the playground. The mother also showed a string of text messages between her and the suspect. In the texts, the suspect admits to sexual activity, according to officials. Continue reading Wood County Man Indicted in Sexual Abuse Cases

LONGVIEW — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding a missing Longview teenager who was last seen Sunday. Jay Webb, administrative lieutenant of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, said Tuesday that Hannah Nicole Barker, 15, is believed to have run away from her home on Peggy Ruth Road. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Peggy Ruth Road is in a part of Longview that reaches into Harrison County. “She just apparently crawled out of a window at her residence,” Webb said. “Her mother went to check on her and she wasn’t there.” Barker is described as being 5-feet 1-inch tall and weighing 100 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes, according to Webb. Anyone with information about Barker’s whereabouts is asked to call the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 923-4000.

HENDERSON — The woman accused of killing a woman and her two children in an alleged drunken driving incident has been released on bond. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Taylor, 22, of Henderson, was set free after posting a $501,000 bond on Friday. KETK reports the suspect was facing a 2013 DWI accusation, among other charges, before the fatal crash occurred. The Rusk County District Attorney’s Office has filed three manslaughter charges against her for the deaths of Rudra Patel, 5, Trisha Patel, 12, and Heena Patel, 43. The father, 42-year-old Ketanbhai Patel, survived the crash. Continue reading Suspect in Triple Fatality Released on Bond

HARRISON COUNTY — Three people are recovering from injuries sustained in a head-on collision that killed one person over the weekend about two miles north of Longview in Harrison County. KETK reports that at 9:27 a.m. on Saturday, an SUV headed north on FM 2208 crossed the center line and smashed into a truck driving south. The driver of the SUV was identified as Janice Wilkinson, 62, of Colmesneil. She was taken to a Longview hospital in stable condition. Two other passengers in the SUV were injured, one fatally. Bobby Wilkinson, 64, of Colmesneil, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Nancy George. He was taken to the Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall. Sharron Smith, 61, of Colmesneil was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The driver of the truck, 19-year-old Cayden Ferrill, was treated and released from a Longview hospital. All four passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are looking for 25-year-old Vontrequel “Trey” or “Tre” Nickelberry. According to KETK, he is the suspect in an aggravated robbery that occurred May 10 in the 1000 Block of Young St. Police say Nickelberry is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Nickelberry, you are asked to call police immediately or contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867 to remain anonymous.

ATHENS — Bond has been set at $2 million for an East Texas woman who was arrested after authorities say she admitted to killing her four-year-old daughter. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Stacie Marie Parsons, 25, of Athens, walked into the Athens Police Department around 8:45 Monday morning and told police she had murdered her young daughter. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to her home in the 410 block of Martin Luther King Drive and found Parsons’s child deceased with head and chest trauma. Officials tell KETK the alleged murder took place at a bridge on County Road 1500. Parsons remains the Henderson County Jail on a single charge of capital murder.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a prostitution arrest was made following a harassment complaint. Police were dispatched Tuesday morning to a suspicious vehicle in the area of the 2900 block of Lynn Street. When officers arrived they were told by the victim that the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Joseph Pearson of Daingerfield, had been continually harassing him since April, 2013. Continue reading Harassment Complaint Leads to Prostitution Arrest

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28) have each introduced bills in their respective houses of Congress that they together are calling the “Humane Act.” The bill is intended to close a loophole in a 2008 law that treats illegal immigrants from other countries differently than illegal immigrants from Mexico. According to Senator Cornyn, the law requires immigrants from countries other than Mexico to be released to a relative in the United States pending a hearing on a date in the future as set forth in a notice to appear. Most of those appearance obligations are never kept by the illegal immigrants, according to Senator Cornyn, resulting in de facto legal admission into the country. The bill that Sen. Cornyn and Rep. Cuellar have introduced would effectively modify that 2008 law so as to require detention of illegal immigrants, including unaccompanied children, and a speedy trial to determine the disposition of each case. The bill faces stiff headwinds in the Democratically-controlled Senate according to Sen. Cornyn.

KTBB’s Paul Gleiser spoke with Sen. Cornyn. That interview is available below.

TYLER (AP) – Some medical workers responsible for treatment billing codes say they felt pressured by a Dallas-area doctor to allegedly falsify data to get more money from Medicare. Testimony continues in the Tyler health care fraud trial of Dr. Tariq Mahmood, who’s denied wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors say the hospital chain owner conspired to submit more than $1.1 million in false billings. The Dallas Morning News reports Norma Longley testified Monday that she balked at changing billing codes for Renaissance Hospital Terrell patients. Longley says Mahmood insisted diagnoses by other doctors be altered to reflect more expensive treatments. She later discovered her codes for Medicare reimbursements were altered. Cynthia Kennemer Plumlee testified she was fired after refusing to let Mahmood be “involved” in reviewing patient codes. She cited professional ethics.

LONGVIEW – State Representative David Simpson of Longview invites citizens from District 7 and the surrounding area to a slideshow presentation and report about his week-long tour of the southern Texas border. After the report, the floor will be open for questions and comments from the audience about immigration and border security, according to a news release. The town hall meeting will take place at The Bridge Building at Mobberly Baptist Church from 5:30 to 7:30 this evening. Mobberly is located at 625 E. Loop 281 in Longview. The event is free and open to the public.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Sheriff Larry Smith and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Command Staff are in the process of reviewing incidents in which inmates were released on personal recognizance bonds. According to a news release, these inmates were released due to their cases not being filed with the District Attorney’s Office in time to indict. Officials say each case file will be reviewed at the Sheriff’s Office as well as any Sheriff’s Office communications to or from the District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office Reviewing Policy on Case Submissions