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ARP — A 93-year-old man was killed in a early morning mobile home fire in the Arp area. Killed was was a former minister and World War II veteran Leon Hackett. His wife recently passed away and he lived alone in the mobile home. The blaze erupted around 3:00 Wednesday morning on Highway 135 and County Road 2153. Officials with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office tell KETK they believe a wood-burning stove was the cause of the blaze.

COLLEGE STATION — Tyler native Johnny Manziel will enter the 2014 NFL draft, forgoing his final two seasons of eligibility at Texas A&M, ESPN has confirmed. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner filed the official paperwork to declaring himself eligible for the draft on Wednesday. Manziel’s decision was reported earlier Wednesday by NFL Network. Widely projected as a first-round draft selection, Manziel is coming off his second productive season as the Aggies’ quarterback. He threw for 7,820 yards and 63 touchdowns while rushing for 2,169 yards and 30 more scores over his two-year career at Texas A&M. Continue reading Manziel to Enter NFL Draft

TYLER — A devastating fire wasn’t enough to keep a longtime Tyler business shut down for long. Moose Auto Glass opened at 8:00 Wednesday morning in the old Horaney’s building across the street from Cavender’s Boot City. Earlier, Tyler Fire Department investigators have concluded their investigation of the scene at Moose Auto Glass, which was heavily damaged by flames Monday night. Officials say the fire appears to have started in the middle of the building, but the cause is still undetermined at this time. The garage area of the business is deemed a total loss with moderate damage to the office area also. Structural collapse occurred during the fire and hampered the extinguishment as well as the investigation, according to authorities. Continue reading Moose Auto Glass Open for Business Despite Fire

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a contract with Fitzpatrick Architects, Inc., in the amount of $43,023 to prepare plans and specifications for renovations at the Tyler Public Library. In 2009, the Tyler Public Library became a beneficiary of the estate of long-time patron Joyce Kathryn Findley. The City Council accepted the first part of the bequest, $318,018.13, on Dec. 9, 2009, and the second part, $318,018.22, on March 10, 2010. The total bequest was $636,036.35. The disposition of the bequest was deferred to a later time. Continue reading Tyler Public Library Renovations Planned

TYLER — The death of a pet dog in Longview who was left outside in freezing weather has brought renewed attention to the need to protect your animals during the winter months. Smith County-based Pets Fur People has a number of tips to keep animals healthy, happy — and alive. According the the agency’s website, “Don’t leave dogs outdoors when the temperature drops. Most dogs, and all cats, are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise. Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young, or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.” Just click on http://www.petsfurpeople.org/weathertips.php for more tips.

TYLER – Tyler ISD BOND 2013 construction projects are swiftly moving from conception to reality, according to a TISD news release. The bond package passed by voters in May 2013 will add what’s termed a state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center at the corner of Earl Campbell Parkway and Bennett Avenue, new Moore MST Magnet School and Boulter Middle School campuses at their existing locations, a new middle school in the Three Lakes area, and renovations and additions to Dixie and Rice elementary campuses. Continue reading Tyler ISD BOND 2013 Construction Update

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman accused of plotting to kill a pregnant mother in order to steal her unborn baby in June 2012 has been sentenced to prison. Tanya Lynette Bradley, 31, on December 14, plead guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated kidnapping. Yesterday, state district judge Alfonso Charles sentenced Bradley to 12 years in prison. Bradley reportedly suffered a miscarriage and schemed to wait outside of a hospital in order to ask for a ride from a woman in the late term of her pregnancy. She would then attempt to kill the woman and take the baby from her womb, according to allegations. Bradley was arrested by Longview police after her friends tipped off authorities to her alleged plan.

LONGVIEW — The southbound right lane of Gilmer Road is closed between Fairmont Street and Colony Circle. The closure will continue through 5:00pm on Wednesday, January 15. The closure is for a water main connection at Regency Park Apartments.

CHAPEL HILL — A Smith County house was destroyed after crews battled a fire that broke out early Tuesday morning. KETK reports the blaze started around midnight in the 10,000 block of Lakeshore Drive in Chapel Hill. A family of three safely escaped, but everything the family owned was consumed by flames. Fire crews from Chapel Hill, Arp, Whitehouse, Jackson Heights, and Smith County all responded. The cause is still under investigation. Continue reading Chapel Hill Home Destroyed by Fire; Benefit Scheduled

EAST TEXAS — Carter BloodCare is experiencing a shortage on all RH negative blood types in its community blood supply, and less-than-preferred levels on most other blood types, according to a news release. The shortage includes O- (the universal blood type), A-, B- and AB-. Carter says it has hospital back orders for many of these types and is unable to import from other community blood centers to supply local patient needs, due to impact on blood collections and travel from the weather situation across much of the U.S. Donations are being strongly urged. The news release says anyone wishing to donate should make an appointment at a donor center or blood drive as soon as possible: http://bit.ly/1eFcEKr

SULPHUR SPRINGS — An East Texas school district resource officer is behind bars after turning himself into police on warrants of child indecency. KETK reports that according to the Texas Rangers, William Nathan Gaddis, 30, turned himself in to authorities Friday after warrants for his arrest were issued. Gaddis is accused of indecency with a child on two different occasions when he was a resource officer at Sulphur Springs ISD. The suspect is being held in the Hopkins County Jail on $50,000 bond.

GILMER — A bond reduction request has been denied for the suspect who is accused of killing his son’s mother at a Gilmer football game. According to KETK, A Tuesday morning hearing was canceled upon receiving word 115th Judcial District Judge Lauren Parish signed an order denying Jonathan Ray Shepherd’s request for bond reduction. Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd increased the charges against Shepherd on October 10 from murder to capital murder by terror threat or other felony after evidence reportedly revealed the suspect was trying to kidnap Cheyenne Green when she was shot. Shepherd allegedly shot Green at point-blank range in September. He was indicted November 25 and is being held in the Upshur County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — A Longview pet owner is facing animal cruelty charges after leaving a pet dog chained up outside, resulting in the animal’s death. KETK reports that Tuesday morning shortly before 9:30, Longview Animal Control officers and Longview police responded to an animal welfare call in the 2400 block of 13th Street. When they arrived they found a dog chained in the yard. It appeared the dog had frozen to death and the owner had not provided any type of shelter, water, or food for the animal. The dog was so frozen the veterinarian could not even get a temperature reading on the deceased pet. Police plan to file class A misdemeanor animal cruelty charges against the owner of the dog. Continue reading Pet Freezes to Death; Owner Facing Charges

MARSHALL — A grieving Texas father wants the way we call 911 to be the same everywhere in the state. Officials say Hank Hunt’s daughter Kari was murdered by her ex-husband in a Marshall hotel room December 1 in front of the couple’s three little kids. Their nine-year-old tried to call 911, but didn’t realize she had to dial nine first to get an outside line. Hunt says, “My granddaughter did what she was supposed to do, and she couldn’t get help — and a nine-year-old should be able to get help when she needs it.” More than 360,000 people have signed his petition on change.org called “Kari’s Law” — a law that would require businesses like hotels to make sure their phone systems have easy access to dialing 911.

LONGVIEW — A vehicle stolen from a Longview driveway has been recovered thanks to an anonymous tipster, according to the Longview Police Department. KETK reports the vehicle’s owner told police that she had left her car running so that it could warm up before she left for the day. Her car was taken just after 7:00 Monday morning, in the 1100 block of Hollybrook Drive. Details on the recovery of the car were not immediately released.

SMITH COUNTY — Fire crews were called to the scene of a fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at a Smith County residence. According to KETK, it started around midnight in the 10,000 block of Lakeshore Drive. So far, no injuries have been reported. The cause is still under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman on Parole for intoxication manslaughter in the death of her two year old daughter, is going to prison for drunken driving. Marisol Priego, 32, was sentenced Monday to ten years in prison by district judge Alfonso Charles. According to KETK, she was found guilty of DWI last November and opted to have the judge set her punishment. Her third DWI came in January 2012 when she was found unresponsive in her parked car. At the hospital, blood tests revealed she had a blood alcohol level of .478.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University in Marshall is drawing students from all over. KETK and the Marshall News-Messenger report that internationally, ETBU has students come in from the Bahamas, China, Moldova, and Nigeria. Last semester, they also came from 17 states other than Texas. The majority of students, though, are still from the Lone Star State.

JACKSONVILLE — A Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries after his patrol car hit a stop sign-running civilian, according to officials. Sheriff James Campbell says around 1:00 p.m. Monday, the deputy was driving through an intersection in Jacksonville when a driver ran a stop sign and was t-boned by the official. KETK reports the deputy, who is not being identified at this time, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle, but has since been released. Both cars were totaled and the driver of the other car was ticketed for failing to yield the right-of-way and being uninsured, according to authorities.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department is currently investigating a fatal car crash that happened in the 800 block of North University at Pruitt Hill Drive. KETK reports the accident occurred Sunday night around 9:40 p.m. Preliminary investigation indicates a car, driven by Aston Lynn Rusk, 21, of Nacogdoches was driving west on Pruitt Hill and trying to turn south onto University Drive. Rusk reportedly pulled out into the path of a northbound truck, driven by Carter Don Willmon, 20, of Lufkin. The truck hit the car on the driver’s side. Rusk was taken to a local hospital and died around 2:24 Monday morning. According to Rusk’s Facebook page, he was a 2012 graduate of Tyler Junior College.

NACOGDOCHES — Due to the extreme temperatures expected this morning, all Nacogdoches ISD campuses will begin classes two hours later than usual. KETK reports buses also will pick up students two hours later than usual. The delay prevents Nacogdoches ISD students from waiting for buses in frigid temperatures during the early morning hours. Schools will dismiss at normal times.

LONGVIEW — A consultant for legal proceedings involving medical examiners aims to file a complaint this week against the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office, often used in Gregg County autopsies. That’s according to the Longview News-Journal. “This is a company masquerading as a medical examiner,” Austin consultant David Fisher said. “It is illegal, and it follows that all the autopsies are illegal. …All your jail deaths are going to be illegal, and this is going to open the door on a whole bunch of civil rights lawsuits.” Continue reading Complaint Could Affect Gregg County Autopsies

TYLER — A man and a woman have been injured during a pursuit in Smith County. While on patrol on Farm Road 344 just west of Farm Road 756, Deputy Corey Cameron attempted to stop a 2005 gold passenger car after the vehicle’s driver repeatedly failed to dim his headlights. Deputy Cameron’s intentions were to investigate the driver to ensure he was not driving while intoxicated. The vehicle, driven by Joe David Hubbard, 42 of Tyler, fled and a brief pursuit ensued. The vehicle being operated by Hubbard left the roadway and crashed about one mile west of Highway 110 on Farm Road 344. Hubbard sustained what appear to be non-life threatening injuries and was taken by air to a Tyler hospital. The condition of the passenger in the vehicle, Crysta Chambers, age unknown, of Tyler, is currently being evaluated. Continue reading Two Injured During Smith County Pursuit

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

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform fog seal operations in both directions on Interstate Highway 20 between Farm Road 1255 east of Canton and the Smith County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — A Tyler Italian restaurant closes its doors for good. KETK reports Johnny Carino’s on Loop 323 near Old Jacksonville Highway shut down at 10:00 last night. Managers will not comment on the closing. But according to a sign on the front door, they want to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for their customers’ loyalty over the years. They say it has been a pleasure serving the Tyler community.

TYLER — In the wake of yet another violent and fatal crash on what’s known as “Bloody 31” in Smith County, The Texas Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to add more passing lanes on the highway between Tyler and Kilgore. According to KETK, statistics show hundreds of recent accidents on the stretch, including a number of fatals. Starting this month, TxDOT contractors will begin adding three passing lanes east of Loop 323 in Tyler. Continue reading More Lanes Coming for “Bloody 31”

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety says a nine-year-old girl died at the scene and an East Texas man was critically injured in a one-vehicle wreck that backed up traffic for hours. Troopers also say three other children and a 37-year-old woman were injured in the mishap, which happened around 11 Friday night on Highway 31 East near Smith County Road 233. The DPS told KETK Saturday that five people were ejected from the vehicle after it rolled over. Continue reading One Child Dead, One Man Critical after Friday Night Wreck

TYLER — Three mailbox explosions have Tyler police and fire officials seeking clues. At around 6:30 Saturday evening, Tyler 911 began receiving calls from residents saying that their mailboxes had been destroyed by explosions. Both the Tyler Police and Fire Departments responded to two different locations and found mailboxes that had been destroyed. It is believed that a firework called an “artillery shell” was ignited and then placed into the mailboxes. Once the firework exploded, the mailboxes were severely damaged and the ground caught on fire. Tyler Police and Fire also responded to another home where the grass was on fire but the mailbox was not destroyed. Continue reading Tyler Police and Fire Departments Investigate Mailbox Explosions

TYLER — A Tyler stabbing incident has landed a woman in jail and the victim in a Dallas hospital. Shortly after 6:30 Saturday evening, the Tyler Police Department received a 911 call stating that a woman had been stabbed at 732 W. Harmony. Officers responded to the scene and found Tommie Lynn Shackleford with two stab wounds. The suspect, identified as Vanessa Carr (pictured), was still on scene. Continue reading Woman Held in Stabbing

ATHENS — Longtime area lawman and former Henderson County Sheriff Howard Burton “Slick” Alfred, 80, of Athens, has died. According to the website of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, Alfred died Jan. 2 in Tyler, where he was born in 1933. Alfred spent 42 years in law-enforcement, serving as Henderson County Sheriff from 1988 through 2000. A private burial took place Saturday at Bascom Cemetery in Smith County. A memorial service will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Athens.