Man Wanted on Gregg County Warrant Arrested in Angelina County

robertlilleymugLUFKIN — A man wanted on charges of aggravated robbery in Gregg County was jailed after being arrested in Angelina County. According to KETK, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office says Robert Andrew Lilley, 40, of Logansport, Louisiana, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies Monday on a warrant stemming from a December 2013 vehicle robbery. Lilley allegedly stole the car from the 500 block of North Spur 63 in Longview to deliver prescription drugs. Lilley is also being charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Outdoor Warning Test to Be Rescheduled

Outdoor Siren-1TYLER — The City of Tyler Outdoor Warning System test did not activate Tuesday as scheduled due to a computer software/communications error that police say is currently being corrected. A test of the system will be rescheduled to verify repairs. The monthly tests are conducted to ensure that the City of Tyler has a fully functional Outdoor Warning System.

All Three Victims Identified in Longview Shooting Deaths

Tavarus Christopher GlaspieLONGVIEW — All three killed in a series of Sunday shootings in Longview have been identified. Meanwhile, another man was jailed and released for allegedly tampering with evidence. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Tavarus Christopher Glaspie (pictured), 35, Longview, died at 9:05 Sunday night at Good Shepherd Medical Center from a gunshot wound to the head. Anthony Anderson, 35, Longview, was pronounced dead at 7:35 at a residence in the 800 block of Beaumont Street. Joey Hollister, 15, was declared dead at a local hospital at 8:45 p.m. after being discovered inside a car at Denny’s restaurant. According to the Carthage ISD, Hollister was a student at Carthage High School. Continue reading All Three Victims Identified in Longview Shooting Deaths

Smith County Remembers Jim Seaton

JIM_SEATON.1396541712TYLER — Folks came out to support Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton one last time Monday. KETK reports his funeral was at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Seaton passed away last Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was known for having a great sense of humor and exhibiting excellence on the job. In addition to his work in Smith County, Seaton served four years as a sergeant in Vietnam for the United States Marines. He started working as the county’s fire marshal in 1999. Continue reading Smith County Remembers Jim Seaton

Fatally Shot Teen Identified

jacobjohnsonfbGILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what’s termed the suspicious death of a local teenager after the teen’s body was found in a car, and the youth has been identified. KETK reports officials responded to a call Sunday around 9:43 p.m. in Diana. When deputies arrived they found Jacob Johnson, 17, dead from a gunshot wound. Debbie Cobb, secretary to the superintendent of the New Diana Independent School District, says Johnson had withdrawn from school in October 2013. Authorities say they are investigating the incident as a homicide.

Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Multiple Crimes

jeremyjarrettmugATHENS — An Athens judge sentenced Jeremy Jarrett, 26, of Eustace to 30 years in the state penitentiary Monday for a number of offenses committed in Athens last September 18. According to KETK, just after 8:00 that night, the Athens Police Department received a 911 call from the wife of the night shift clerk at the Valero gas station at 805 East Corsicana. The clerk’s wife saw a man, later identified as Jarrett, walk into the store and hold a large hunting knife to her husband’s throat. She then exited the store and placed the 911 call. Continue reading Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Multiple Crimes

Two Sought for Credit Card Abuse and Theft

smithcotheft040814TYLER — Two East Texas men are wanted in connection with credit card abuse and theft in Smith County. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says the two men are wanted for using a stolen credit card at stores in the Flint-Gresham area. If you have any information on the identities or location of these men, contact Detective Gray at 903-590-2956.

Emergency Warning System Test Today

Outdoor Siren-2TYLER – This morning at 11:00, the City of Tyler, Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler will activate the Outdoor Warning System along with the Tyler Emergency Alert System (Sudden-link Communications). The City of Tyler Outdoor Warning Systems will be activated starting with a test message. That message will be followed with approximately a 30-second steady tone, followed by an approximate 30-second alternate steady tone, followed by an approximate 30-second pulsed steady tone, followed by Westminster Chimes. The test will end with a test message. Continue reading Emergency Warning System Test Today

Officials Probe Criminal Mischief Case

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in a criminal mischief case. On Sunday at about 3:00 p.m., Gregg County deputies responded to the Dyersdale Energy Lease off Highway 42 in Kilgore. Officials say unknown persons intentionally dumped approximately 200 barrels of crude oil on the ground from a holding tank on the lease. The cost of the oil is in excess of $20,000. Officials say the cost of the cleanup of the site may likely exceed $50,000.

One Person Pulled from Vehicle in Water

DIANA — Emergency crews responded Monday around 12:15 p.m. after a driver crashed into a pond on FM 1844 near Diana. According to KETK, the Gilmer Fire Department reports firefighters from multiple departments were dispatched to help rescue the driver, the only person inside the vehicle. The unidentified person was pulled from the vehicle without injury.

Officials: Woman Calls Police to Complain about Drug Quality

Evelyn HamiltonLUFKIN (AP/Staff) – Police in Lufkin have arrested a woman after they say she called them to complain about the quality of the marijuana she had purchased from a dealer. Lufkin police Sgt. David Casper said Monday that an officer went to the home of Evelyn Hamilton, 37, to hear her complain that the dealer refused to give her money back after she objected to the drug’s quality. Casper says she pulled the small amount of marijuana from her bra when the officer asked if she still had it. She was arrested Friday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Hamilton said Monday she spent $40 on “seeds and residue.” According to police, she says she called police when she got no satisfaction from the dealer’s family.

Airport Sees Growth in Rental Car Activity

image007TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport reports that rental car activity at the airport is at an all-time high. According to a city news release, the number of cars rented shows growth for the second year in a row. In 2012 rental car activity increased by 5.7%, then in 2013 it increased an additional 15.8%. The year-to-date activity for 2014 shows an 18.1% increase in the number of cars rented compared to the same time last year. “We are hopeful this indicates a continued growth trend,” said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. Continue reading Airport Sees Growth in Rental Car Activity

County Road 138 Closed After Storms; CR 3101 Damaged

thumb_smithcounty-sealTYLER — Smith County Road 138 has been closed after sustaining severe damage during torrential rains on Sunday, according to a county news release. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department is currently working to replace a culvert and a missing section of the road. CR 138 is located in the Flint area between Old Jacksonville Highway and Highway 69 South. County Road 3101 also sustained damages during the storm and is currently down to a single lane. Crews are on site and expect CR 3101, also known as Barber Road, to be fully restored within a day.

Lambert, Musgraves Shine at ACM Awards

thumb_miranda-lambert-2LAS VEGAS (AP/Staff) – Lindale’s own Miranda Lambert (pictured) added to her growing list of honors Sunday night, taking home three Academy of Country Music awards. Lambert won her fifth straight female vocalist of the year award, and her performance of “Mama’s Broken Heart” was named single record of the year. Lambert also teamed up with Keith Urban to win vocal event of the year for “We Were Us.” Album of the year honors went to Wood County native Kacey Musgraves for “Same Trailer Different Park.”

TxDOT Project Updates

TxDOT signTYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER — Construction crews from contractor APAC-Dallas, Inc. on Monday began work to reshape northbound U.S. Highway 69 between Toll 49 and Cumberland Road to lower the grade of the roadway to allow better access and sight distance into the new development in the area. The project will also add two traffic signals in the area to facilitate easier access for southbound traffic turning into the development. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

Driver Killed in One Vehicle Accident

DPS badgeRUSK COUNTY — One man has been killed in a one vehicle wreck in Rusk County. DPS officers said the accident happened around 3:00 Sunday morning on Farm Road 782 near Lake Cherokee. The vehicle reportedly ran off the road into a patch of trees. DPS officers say the driver died at the scene. According to KETK, family members told them the driver was Brad Boykin. DPS officers say they are still trying to determine what caused the accident.

Van Ran Through Store Front

payless_wreckTYLER –A Tyler store had to close early Saturday night after a car crashed through the side of the building. The accident happened around 7:15 at the Payless shoe store in the 1100 block of East 5th Street. Witnesses told KETK a woman was backing out of the parking lot when she hit a pole. Her car then rolled forward through the frony of the building. No injuries were reported.

Funeral Services for Fire Marshal Jim Seaton Set for Today

JIM_SEATON.1396541712TYLER — Funeral services are set for Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton. Seaton died Thursday morning at age 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Seaton had been with the county 27 years and served as county fire marshal the past 14 years. “Jim will be greatly missed by Smith County citizens and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson. Funeral services for Seaton will be this afternoon at 1:30 at Green Acres Baptist Church with burial in Tyler Memorial Park.

Three Men Arrested after Bar Fight

DocumentFragment_4412625LONGVIEW — Three East Texas men are behind bars after a nightclub fight. It happened at a Longview club called “The Bar” shortly before 11:15 Thursday night. According to KETK, when Longview Police arrived on scene, they found several people with stab wounds. Authorities arrested Eugenio Vega (pictured), 39, Daniel Vega-Hernandez, 44 and James Wright, 53. All three were booked into Gregg County Jail and charged with assault causing bodily injury. Vega-Hernandez was also found to have three unpaid driving violations. It is unknown how many people were injured, but according to Longview Police, the injuries were non life threatening

TMA Visitors Asked to Use Alternate Entrance Sunday, April 6

thumb_tylerartmuseumTYLER – The Tyler Museum of Art will be open for business during the Charter Reserve Bike Race Sunday, April 6, on the Tyler Junior College campus, but museum visitors are asked to use an alternate entrance, Executive Director Chris Leahy announced. The TMA’s main entrance at 1300 S. Mahon Ave. will be closed to traffic to accommodate the race course. To reach the TMA on Sunday, visitors should turn left off East Fifth Street onto South Palmer Avenue and pull into the TJC faculty parking lot, located directly behind the museum property. The museum will remain open throughout its regular Sunday hours of 1 to 5 p.m.

Van Zandt County Man Gets Life without Parole in Double Murder

donny_greenhowvanzandtcoCANTON — A Van Zandt County man accused of a 2012 double murder pleaded guilty to those charges Thursday. Donny Lee Greenhow accepted a plea deal to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole, according to the Van Zandt County District Clerk’s Office. KETK reports the convict murdered Peter Shick, 74, and his wife, Latricia Shick, 55, both of Ben Wheeler. Officials said he was friends with the victims. On August 3, 2012, authorities found the couple dead in their home. Greenhow’s fingerprints left behind on a stolen Kaufman County vehicle linked him to the case. He was eventually caught in Ripley, Tennessee, by the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office on August 16. Greenhow was transferred back to Van Zandt county and charged with capital murder.

CPS Searching for Mother Suspected of Taking Tyler Toddler

3464272_GTYLER — A child safety alert continues for 19-month-old Xander Alexander of Tyler. KETK reports Child Protective Services is seeking the whereabouts of the toddler. He is believed to be with his mother, Macy McCombs. The department was granted temporary managing conservatorship of Xander and has not been able to locate him to this date. Authorities suspect the child is in the Smith County area. If you have any information on the location of Xander, contact The Department of Family and Protective Services at 903-279-3420 or 1-800-252-5400.

Former Sportswriter Gets 12 Years in Sex Case

harold_wilsonTYLER — A former East Texas sportswriter has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to having a sexual relationship with a local teenager. KETK reports Harold Lamonte Wilson, 36, of Tyler will be behind bars after turning himself in for having sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl. He was indicted in October by a Smith County grand jury, according to documents released by the 241st Judicial District Court. Wilson was arrested by police on June 26, and was held on $100,000 bond in the Smith County Jail until he was released later that night. According to Texas law, a child is defined as a person younger than 17 years old. Wilson was a sportswriter for ET Final Score and the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

City Terminates Lake Tyler Marina Lease Pact

thumb_cityoftylerTYLER — The city of Tyler has terminated its lease agreement with the management team that has been operating the Lake Tyler Marina. According to a city news release, this action comes after the city spent several months and years seeking corrective action on maintenance issues associated with the marina property. “The marina is an important asset to the city,” said Managing Director of Water Utilities Greg Morgan. “We have been working with the manager of the marina to rectify several issues and have been unsuccessful. Ultimately we chose to terminate the agreement in the best interests of the community.” Continue reading City Terminates Lake Tyler Marina Lease Pact

Longview Store Drops Synthetic Marijuana Sales

K2LONGVIEW — A Longview shop with a reputation for selling synthetic marijuana has changed its name and is no longer selling the substance. KETK reports the Glass Dragon on North Fredonia is now called Longview Vapor Store. The shop specializes in e-cigarettes instead of synthetic marijuana. Longview police say out of three locations, only one continues to sell the substance. Law officers say they hope businesses in Longview don’t sell the synthetic marijuana, which police term dangerous to people. Officers say they’ve been writing citations to businesses selling it, including the former Glass Dragon.

Two Locations Added to County Wide Clean Up for Saturday Only

thumb_smithcounty-sealTYLER — Citizens wishing to take part in the Smith County Wide cleanup this weekend may take advantage of two locations added for this Saturday only. Along with the Greenwood Farms Landfill, citizens will also have the opportunity to drop off bulky items Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Spring Creek Baptist Church, 13915 CR 46, and Jones Valley Church of God in Christ on Texas College Rd. The Clean Up continues through April 12. Continue reading Two Locations Added to County Wide Clean Up for Saturday Only

One Juvenile Arrested Following Pawn Shop Break-In

lvpawnshoptheft3GREGG COUNTY — Authorities have taken one juvenile into custody in connection with the Cherokee Pawn Shop burglary. The Longview Police Department announced the arrest Friday morning but could not release any more details because the suspect is a juvenile. According to Longview Police, a group of local teenagers stole a beige Ford F-250 and drove into the Cherokee Pawn Shop located in the 2700 block of Gilmer Road this week. According to KETK, when officials and the store owner arrived on scene, the suspects had fled with six stolen guns.

UT Tyler Education Professor Earns State Award

U-T Tyler SignTYLER — A professor of education at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Robert Stevens, has received the 2014 “Best Book Award for Civil War Historical Fiction” from the Texas Association of Authors. He was honored for the novel titled, Master Robert. The award recognizes exemplary fiction for young adults. This is the third year the association has selected winning titles. “I am both delighted and overwhelmed,” said Stevens. “This is my first historical novel – a real experiment for me.” Continue reading UT Tyler Education Professor Earns State Award

LeTourneau Students Going for World Record

LeTourneau Logo6LONGVIEW — Students at LeTourneau University seek to set a Guinness World Record for the greatest number of 3D printers operating simultaneously. The attempt got underway Friday afternoon at 3:00 in the Solheim Arena of the Solheim Recreation Center on the LETU campus, 2100 South Mobberly Avenue. The student engineering team is seeking to set the world record with at least 50 3D printers printing the same commemorative coin simultaneously during the public 3D printing demonstration event.