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TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank has been named a winner in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which awards new vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public from Oct. 1 – Nov. 19, 2013. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program showcases five nonprofit organizations each day for 50 days. Visitors to http://www.100carsforgood.com may cast up to two votes per day for different organizations to select the organizations they feel are most deserving of a new Toyota vehicle. The East Texas Food Bank has received the most votes and has been named as a winner of a new Toyota Prius. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank Named Winner in Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A federal judge in Kansas has ordered the return of nearly $25,000 paid by an East Texas hunter as restitution for running an illegal deer hunting camp. James Bobby Butler Jr., of Martinsville, in Nacogdoches County, was initially assessed a $25,000 fine and $25,000 in restitution at his sentencing in 2011. But U.S. District Judge Monti Belot vacated the restitution after last month’s hearing in which he found prosecutors failed to prove the value of the deer. Belot re-sentenced Butler to 10 months in prison and a $25,000 fine, and on Friday ordered the return of $24,700 in restitution he had paid. Butler owned and operated the camp near Coldwater, Kansas, where his brother, Marlin Butler, worked as a guide. Marlin Butler’s amended sentence calls for eight months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An East Texan has been appointed as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic by President Barack Obama. KETK reports James “Wally” Brewster, who is originally from Lindale, attended Tyler Junior College and is now the fifth openly LGBT ambassador to be appointed this year. He has been confirmed by the United States Senate, and his swearing in ceremony by Vice President Joe Biden will take place in Washington, D.C., on November 22. Continue reading East Texan Appointed as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

LONGVIEW — An early morning fire leaves significant damage to a family’s Longview home. KETK reports it happened at 3:56 Friday morning in the 200 block of Richardson Drive. On arrival, Longview firefighters found flames coming from the roof. After putting the fire out, authorities found that the fire had begun in the area of the water heater closet and then spread into the attic. One person had awakened to find the ceiling on fire. All nine occupants of the house had escaped the house unharmed. One of the occupants was not home at the time of the blaze. Continue reading Significant Damage in Early Morning House Fire

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel Thursday entered into a sales contract of $550,000 for the possible purchase of 10 acres of land to be used for a future animal care facility. The City Council authorized McDaniel to take the action during Wednesday’s meeting. The property is located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. The City began investigating the potential of purchasing the parcel after ending discussions with the SPCA about building a new facility on land that was donated to them. According to a city news release, an assessment of the property offered by the SPCA revealed that more than $400,000 would need to be invested for infrastructure before construction of a new 10,000 square foot facility could begin. Continue reading Tyler Signs Sales Contract on Land for Animal Care Facility

TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve arrested six people on felony drug charges as part of an ongoing investigation in which more arrests are expected. On Thursday, vice investigators with the Tyler Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at 1307 North Confederate. According to a police news release, investigators recovered crack cocaine, marijuana, and evidence of the distribution of narcotics during the search of the residence. The individuals arrested were identified as Marcus Dewayne Campbell and John Henry Moore, both 54; 31-year-old John Albert Moore; 25-year-old Steven Rashad Foreman; 51-year-old Kenneth Rudale Warren; and 29-year-old Curtis Oneal Thompson.

TYLER – The search is on for two armed robbery suspects. At 10:39 Thursday night, multiple patrol deputies and other Smith County Sheriff’s Office officials responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Food Fast at 11812 Highway 64 West. Early information indicates that two males entered the store with a gun and took an undetermined amount of cash. The men left on foot in an unknown direction. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is handling the investigation. If anyone has any information regarding this case, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army gets the holiday season going Saturday with a campus-wide Kettle Kick-Off event. A soccer tournament began at 8 a.m., concert activities are set from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and there’s a Fall Festival from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. It all happens at The Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave. as well as Spring St. Admission to the soccer tournament, concert, and Fall Festival, as well as games and attractions, will be free. Continue reading Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff and Fall Festival Today

TYLER — The Tyler City Council this week approved the adoption of the new Bergfeld Park Master Plan. The Master Plan addresses five areas to be renovated at the Park including the playground, tennis courts, amphitheater, Splasher area, and landscaping. Plans for the five areas have been developed so that they may be completed in stages as the funding becomes available, according to a city news release. Plans call for new playground equipment, renovated tennis courts, removing some of the amphitheater fixed seats to create a grassy picnic area for families, and the creation of a landscape barrier to separate children in the splash area from the traffic on Broadway. Continue reading Council Approves Bergfeld Park Plan

TYLER — Tyler police say the Loan Ranger Bandit has struck again. On November 8, he allegedly robbed the Extraco Bank in Lampasas. The F.B.I. and numerous law enforcement agencies in multiple southern states (Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky) are still seeking the identity and whereabouts of the suspect. The F.B.I. has offered a $10,000 reward. Continue reading Police: Loan Ranger Bandit Strikes Again

TYLER — Tyler Firefighters were called to 2323 West Front Street just before 3:00 Friday morning to rescue a man from his vehicle. Police tell KETK he was driving on Front Street when he lost control of his car and crashed into a pole. Firefighters had to free the man from the mangled vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

TYLER — A south Tyler sexual assault is under investigation. It was reported around 7:00 Thursday night near the corner of Shiloh Rd. and Edinburgh Dr. According to KETK, the victim was pushed into the woods and sexually assaulted by two men. She was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment.

TYLER — A Tyler daycare center has shut down after the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services revoked its permit. The New Life Learning Center is located at 1201 North Northwest Loop 323 in Tyler. KETK reports DFPS has conducted 29 inspections on the center over the past two years and has issued 72 citations for deficiencies. KTBB has left a message on the center’s voice mail seeking comment and will update this story once any response is received.

TYLER — For the second time this week, Tyler firemen have been called to a fire at the Kensington Place Apartments, 4400 Plauxy Drive. Just before 11:00 yesterday morning, smoke was seen in one of the apartments, but there was no fire damage. Fire investigators have determined that the smoke originated from a problem associated with the apartment’s heating unit. No injuries were reported. Continue reading Smoke Reported at Tyler Apartments

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police have arrested four in connection with the Wednesday morning theft of four ATVs from T-Rex-S Outdoor Store on North Street. KETK reports Antonio Luis Gallegos, 27; Michael Gary Heflin, 20; Melissa Gallegos, 24; and Euardo Mejorado, 31, were arrested Thursday afternoon. All four are charged with felony engaging in organized criminal activity. They were placed in the Nacogdoches County Jail pending arraignment. Detectives continue to pursue leads in an effort to recover the stolen ATV’s. Continue reading Four Arrested in ATV Thefts

TYLER — Tyler firefighters responded to a house fire that reportedly caused significant damage at 3615 Old Bullard Road. The initial call was received around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, with the caller reporting a clothes dryer on fire inside the residence. Firefighters arriving on the scene noted smoke conditions in the structure and upgraded the response to a second alarm. A total of eight fire department units ended up battling the blaze. KETK reports a lot of fire and water damage. The origin and cause have not yet been determined; investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office will look into that matter. No injuries have been reported. The American Red Cross has been notified to assist the occupants.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police detectives have arrested a suspect in the Monday night armed robbery of Domino’s Pizza store on North Street. KETK reports Sugar Ray Ratcliff, 33, of Nacogdoches, was arrested Thursday at the county jail on a warrant for aggravated robbery. Ratcliff was jailed on Tuesday on a warrant for organized retail theft, a third degree felony. That arrest originated from a theft at TSO in the 4700 block of Northeast Stallings on November 5. Ratcliff remained in the county jail pending arraignment on the new charge.

LONGVIEW — More details have emerged about a fire at the Regency Park Apartments in the 700 block of Gilmer Road in Longview. Firefighters tell KETK contract workers on the roof of the complex were using propane torches, sparking the blaze around 11:30 Tuesday morning. Crews battled a fire on the third floor of one of the apartment buildings. Four apartments were destroyed. Officials say propane torches are often used to melt tar and provide a weather-proof seal. There was a fire at the same apartment complex for the same reason a year ago. Fire officials say they get calls often about construction fires from using propane torches.

TYLER — There’s a public hearing today on a project officials hope will ramp up transportation development in East Texas, but the project is opposed by some in the community. The Smith County Commissioners Court is proposing to create “Transportation Reinvestment Zone Number One, County of Smith.” According to information from the county, “The Zone is intended to support improvements to, and the extension and expansion of, the Toll 49 system…and portions of U.S. Highway 271 and Interstate Highway 20 that are part of the East Texas Hourglass.” Continue reading Public Hearing Set, Comments Accepted on Toll 49 TRZ Proposal

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas is expressing concerns about a proposed new city of Tyler animal shelter. According to KETK, currently the city is in partnership with the SPCA but plans to go in its own direction. “And we invite them into our project, but we feel like that it’s such an important project that the city really needs to be in the driver’s seat on this one,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. After privately meeting with the city manager for two years about the idea, SPCA President Deborah Dobbs is uneasy about their decision. “Our concern is that the city is starting over with needs assessments, and feasibility studies and architects when we’ve actually sought out some of the experts in the field across the country and paid for them to do this,” said Dobbs. Continue reading SPCA Expresses Concerns about Animal Shelter

TYLER — Two are dead after a two vehicle accident in Smith County. Dead at the scene was a motorcyclist, Darryl Keith Towne, 51, of Whitehouse and Payton Nicole Herrington, 22, of Lindale, who later died at a Tyler hospital. The accident happened just after 3:00 Wednesday morning on Farm Road 14 near Hoyte Road, just north of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety reports Herrington was south bound on Highway 14 and was attempting to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone when she hit the north bound motorcycle. Herrington was not wearing her seat belt.

GREGG COUNTY – On Tuesday, under the authority of the Gregg Sheriff’s Office, the SPCA of Texas seized 16 allegedly cruelly treated dogs from a property in Gregg County. According to the SPCA, the dogs are very thin and many have lacerations and scars on their bodies. Additionally, the property contained items that the SPCA says are consistent with dogfighting. Continue reading SPCA of Texas Seizes 16 Dogs from Gregg County Property

LONGVIEW — Go West Longview advocate and Proposition One leader Kimberly Fish officially filed Wednesday for Gregg County Commissioner Precinct 2 after making her campaign announcement last month. The seat has been held by Darryl Primo since 1994. According to the Longview News-Journal, Go West Longview is a local revitalization movement; Proposition One, an offshoot of that effort, opened retail beer and wine sales in formerly dry West and North Longview.

BEAUMONT – A 27-year-old Tamaulipas, Mexico, man has been sentenced to federal prison for credit card fraud-related charges following a Nacogdoches traffic stop. Samuel Rivera Compean pleaded guilty April 16 to possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. He was sentenced in Beaumont yesterday to 37 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Compean was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $58,754 to Discover Financial Services, a credit card issuer. Continue reading Traffic Stop Leads to Prison Sentence for Credit Card Fraud

QUITMAN — A man has died in a Wood County house fire. The body was found Tuesday morning in a home off Farm Road 2088. Sheriff’s deputies found the home destroyed with only a few ashes still smoldering. On the west side of the home, deputies found the partially burned body of Roy Dan Stout. The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. The fire in the home, which was located several hundred yards from the road in dense woods, was not seen or reported by neighbors. That prompted authorities to conclude the fire happened at night. The house and body were discovered shortly before 10:15 Tuesday morning by Larry Stout, Roy’s brother, when he came to check on a water leak.

MARSHALL — A pedestrian is dead after being hit by a car in East Texas. According to KETK, around 8:40 Monday morning, Marshall Police Communications received a 911 call in reference to a vehicle/pedestrian accident in the parking lot of McDonald’s on Victory Drive in Marshall. When officers arrived on scene, the investigation indicated a pedestrian was trying to cross the parking lot on his way into the restaurant when the accident happened. The victim, Robert Louis Price, Sr., 65, of Marshall, was taken to a local hospital where he later died from injuries. The driver of the car was uninjured and no charges were filed at the time of the incident. Marshall police say the investigation is ongoing.

DENTON –– In five months, on Wednesday, April 14, 2014, new flood maps for Smith County will become effective. Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance. According to a FEMA news release, most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes, and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Continue reading Five Months Remain Before Smith County Flood Maps Become Final

HARRISON COUNTY — A Marshall woman has been killed in a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 259 in Harrison County. Sandra Marie Lorenzo, 52, was driving a pickup on Liberty Church Road at the intersection of U.S. 259 when her vehicle was hit by a pickup truck driven by Patrick Allen Rook of Waskom. The Longview News-Journal report a male passenger in Rook’s vehicle, Dakota Alden Nealy, 18, was injured in the wreck. Occupants in both vehicles were wearing seat belts, according to officials. Authorities say Lorenzo had failed to yield to Rook, who had the right of way. Officials say no charges have been filed against Rook. The wreck occurred Tuesday afternoon shortly before 3:30.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized the city manager to negotiate for the purchase of property at 4218 Chandler Highway to be used for a future animal care facility. “We are pleased to take this step toward Tyler opening its own Animal Care Facility,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “We have historically contracted with the private sector to provide this service for our community. However, it is no longer…practical to do so.” The capital project was approved by the Half-Cent Board and City Council as a budget item in August. Continue reading Tyler Approves Land Purchase for Animal Care Facility

TYLER — Tyler Police have received several reports recently of citizens being scammed out of large sums of money believing they were helping a family member in trouble. Police say the suspects randomly call a citizen and start a conversation. They are able to extract the name of a family member who may have not been seen in awhile, such as a grandson. The suspect then convinces the citizen that the relative is in trouble and needs money immediately to get out of jail and come home. Many different stories may be given by the scammers to get you to send money for whatever trouble they may describe. The suspects frequently convince the victim to use Western Union or to purchase a money card and have the money wired to an untraceable location. Continue reading “Relative in Trouble” Scam on the Rise