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PALESTINE (AP/Staff) – More details have emerged as officials continue to investigate a fire that left two people dead in a downtown Palestine building. Capt. Jeff Croft of the Palestine Fire Department tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that a man and a woman died in the fire, reported early Saturday morning. He says another person was reportedly able to escape the blaze. The building was a total loss. A news release from Wendy Ellis, interim city manager, says crews encountered heavy fire conditions and heavy smoke throughout when they arrived on scene. The news release says that within minutes of firefighters’ arrival, the building began to collapse. The building housed a thrift store. Surrounding buildings received minimal damage

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler College of Business and Technology and Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Research will hold the fourth annual Economic Forecast Summit 11:00am to 1:00pm on Thursday, October 10 at Rose Heights Church (2120 Old Omen Road in Tyler). The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, dean of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University. “With a Ph.D. and M.A. in economics from Stanford University, Dr. Johnson will provide valuable insight into the concerns of regional citizens and business owners,” said Dr. Jerry Gilley, College of Business and Technology interim dean. Continue reading UT Tyler to Hold Fourth Annual Economic Forecast Summit

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Former Texas quarterback and Longview native James Street has died at 65. Street took over the Longhorns’ wishbone offense and led them to the 1969 national championship. Serena Fitchard of the James Street Group said Street died early Monday but that no other details were immediately available. Continue reading Former Longhorn Quarterback, Longview Native James Street Dies

TYLER — The Tyler Public Library will change its hours of operation beginning October 1. The new hours are:
* Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
* Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 7:00pm
* Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and
* Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm. Continue reading Changes to Tyler Library Hours

EMORY — According to the Rains County Sheriff’s Office, an inmate who escaped from the Rains County Jail is back in custody. They report that Crystal Marie Robinson, 31, has been arrested south of Lubbock in Garza County. Robinson escaped from the Rains County Courthouse last Tuesday morning. She was being held on charges of probation violation, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, and probation violation of theft greater than $20 but under $500.

TYLER — This is the final week of Tyler’s bi-annual Free Bulky Item Cleanup Week. For areas whose trash is picked up on Tuesday and Fridays, your bulky items will be picked up through Friday. During the week, residential customers may get rid of bulky items such as unwanted furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee for free. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Items not accepted are brush, limbs and liquid waste. You can go to http://www.tylersolidwaste or http://www.keeptylerbeautiful.com to get more information.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 15 between Troup and Wright City. A second crew is scheduled to resume base and pavement repairs on State Highway 155 in Winona, and on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LONGVIEW — A fire has extensively damaged the O’Reilly Auto Parts store in the 500 block of West Marshall Avenue. KETK reports the fire was reported around 12:45 Sunday afternoon. Products inside the store could be heard exploding. It appears as if the building and its contents are a total loss. There were employees and customers in the store when the fire started, but none were injured. A firefighter was treated for minor burns. The fire is thought to have started in an area used for storage and parts on the west side of the building. No word on how the fire started.

LUFKIN — On two separate incidences, Lufkin police have arrested men on charges of possession drug paraphernalia. Around 12:15 Saturday morning, Lufkin police found George E. Denman, 60, in the 900 block of Weaver Avenue. On him they found drug paraphernalia and a crack pipe. Then, just before 2:00 Saturday morning, a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Jacob P. Castanon, 17. Found on him was a small amount of marijuana and a pipe.

TYLER — Because of a robbery in a mobile home park last year, a Tyler man is going to prison for 20 years. A jury found David Ford, 22, of Tyler, guilty yesterday. That panel later assessed the prison sentence. Ford was one of two men accused stealing a woman’s purse at gunpoint while she was in her driveway in a Shiloh Road mobile home community. The other suspect arrested in the case is Tevin Montravian Dorsey, 22, of Tyler.

TYLER — The Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration has named U.T. Tyler professor Dr. Ross Sherman as ‘Educator of the Year.’ Serving the school since 1987, Sherman is a professor of educational leadership and policy studies. He was appointed dean of the U.T. Tyler College of Education and Psychology in May, having served as interim since September 2012. The award recognizes members for their outstanding cumulative contributions to the development of educational leaders in Texas K-12 secondary schools. Continue reading UT Tyler Professor Named Educator of the Year

EAST TEXAS — Because of last Friday’s rains, and because the rain expected this weekend, all area burn bans have been lifted. Nacogdoches and Titus Counties were the last two counties to lift their burn bans. But area officials using caution when burning outdoors. They add, if the drought continues, the burn bans could be reissued.

GILMER — A man has been taken into custody in connection with a murder at an 8th grade football game in Gilmer. A woman was killed in the high school parking lot during a game between Gilmer and Gladewater Thursday night. She has been identified as Cheyenne Green, 29, Gilmer. Her body has been taken to Southeast Texas Forensic Center in Tyler for autopsy. The shooting occurred around 9:00 Thursday night. A couple of hours later, Jonathan Ray Shepherd, 32, surrendered to authorities at the Upshur County Jail. Investigators say its appears as if the shooting followed an argument about parental rights. The couple shared custody of their two year old son. At his arraignment Friday morning, Shepherd’s bond was set at $1 million.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is free on a $25,000 bond after being caught with 70 pounds of marijuana. Arrested was Joshua Neal Flowers, 31. He was stopped for speeding by a state trooper on State Highway 31 around 10:30 Wednesday night. The trooper said there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the tucks’ cab and bed. He also said Flowers was extremely nervous. As he searched the truck he found a suitcase and a box, both containing marijuana. Flowers told the officer he was being paid to deliver the marijuana to Longview.

TYLER — Your morning and evening commute in Tyler is going to be getting a little easier if you travel on West Loop 323. According to KETK, TxDOT is adding another lane on the Loop on both sides underneath the train trestle. Construction will start in February 2014. Officials say it should take about a year and half to finish. It’s been in the works for years, but they needed funding and approval from city groups and the railroad to move forward. TxDOT will build a temporary overpass for the train so the railroad can continue to operate. Drivers will be advised to pass carefully through the area during construction, or seek alternate routes.

ARP — Arp resident James “Barry” Barnett, 50, has announced he is seeking election to the Smith County Commissioner’s Court, Precinct 2. Barnett will run in the 2014 Republican primary; thus far, he faces only incumbent Cary Nix in that race. Barnett operates an aviation management company, ETJS, LLC. He oversees all maintenance for a local charter company at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, and he is one of the founding directors of the Wings over Tyler Air Show, which kicked off in 2011. Barnett is a certified firefighter with the Arp Volunteer Fire Department and served as President of the Northeast Texas District for the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas. Continue reading Barry Barnett Running for Commissioners Court

LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corp. on Wednesday approved spending almost $900,000 to reclaim a former hotel property at Estes Parkway and Interstate 20. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. LEDCO’s board of directors voted unanimously to hire Kingwood-based Inland Environments to clear the blighted former Holiday Inn property in South Longview. The largest cost of $387,880 is for abatement of asbestos contamination that was discovered during the purchase process. Reclamation work should begin in October and take about five months. Continue reading Firm Hired to Clear Site of Abandoned Hotel

JACKSONVILLE — A man wanted for murder in San Antonio has been arrested in East Texas. Thursday, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force executed an active murder warrant in the 900 block of Churchill Street in Jacksonville, arresting Jose Gutierrez. KETK reports Gutierrez was booked into the Cherokee County Jail to await transfer to Bexar County.

CHAPEL HILL — Taxpayers in Chapel Hill are concerned over the school’s proposed $31.2 million bond. Dr. Donni Cook, Chapel Hill’s superintendent, tells KETK the school district has been transparent with bond information. Cook says as enrollment climbs, new additions to the district are needed. If taxpayers have concerns, Cook encourages them to speak up or submit letters requesting information. Early voting on that bond issue is set for October 21st.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested after being accused of making repeated, abusive calls to 911. Reagan Marshall Wagner, 22, is charged with silent or abusive calls to 911, and terroristic threat against a public servant. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a bond of $2,000. Continue reading Man in Jail for Many 911 Calls

SHERMAN — A federal prosecutor has been assigned to the Sherman office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Tatum was administered the Oath of Office by U.S. Attorney Bales, Wednesday before a small crowd of friends, family, and government officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sherman. Continue reading Former Smith County Assistant DA Now in the Federal System

TYLER — Tyler police returned yesterday to the home of a retired druggist who has been charged with sexual assault of a child. The officers were serving a search warrant on Jeff Davis Drive at the home of James Carey Prosperie. Officers were not able to say what they were looking for, but they could be seen coming out of the house with some cardboard boxes. Continue reading Search Warrant Served at Prosperie Residence

TYLER — Tyler’s City Council approves a property tax increase of just a little over a penny. Some think the hike is too much, but Mayor Barbara Bass tells KETK it’s the city’s first significant upward move in property taxes in 15 years, “and the real numbers are very affordable. We’re using this to get us back with our savings like we need.” Bass says the city is still recovering from the period when the economy and sales tax figures were down. She adds that the owner of a $100,000 house will see a tax increase of about $15 per year.

TYLER — Two men are in custody in connection with a string of bank forgeries around the Tyler area. Detectives from both the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Tyler Police Department are working together on the case to determine how many banks and other businesses may have been affected. The identities of both men are being withheld as officers continue their investigation to determine if other persons might be involved. Continue reading Two Forgery Suspects Arrested

TYLER — Police are looking for the lone gunman who robbed a Tyler business. The robbery was reported around 3:15 yesterday afternoon at CashXpress Title Loan, in the 300 block of Rice Road. According to employees, the man displayed a black and silver semi-automatic handgun, took some cash and then fled on foot. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a black male about 5’4″ and around 30 years of age. He was wearing a blue cloth over his face, a gray sweatshirt hanging around his neck, a black t-shirt and baggy blue jeans. The clerks also said the suspect had noticeable tattoos on both forearms.

EAST TEXAS — Hopkins and Angelina Counties have dropped their burn bans, joining a list of area counties that have done likewise since last Friday’s rains. Officials everywhere in the area continue to urge caution while burning. They remind you that burn bans could be reinstated if we don’t get additional rain in the near future.

NACOGDOCHES — Five people have been arrested and over two pounds of marijuana have been seized in Nacogdoches after two search warrants were executed early Tuesday morning. KETK reports officers of the Nacogdoches Police Department executed the warrants simultaneously at two residences next door to each other on Humphrey Road. Officers say they recovered marijuana, hydrocodone and prescription medication during the operation. Continue reading Five Arrested in Nacogdoches on Drug Charges

MARSHALL – Three Marshall men have been sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall for drug trafficking violations. All three pleaded guilty May 3 and were sentenced Tuesday. Santiago Carbajal Abelardo, 26, and Jehovani Abelardo, 21, were each sentenced to 90 months behind bars for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Santos Acuna, 24, got 11 months for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. Continue reading Harrison County Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Violations

HOUSTON — Two passengers have filed a joint lawsuit against the tour bus company that was allegedly responsible for a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 59. KETK reports that the law firm of Ramsey Hill filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Houston on behalf of Edgar Vela and Sergio Torres against American Coach Lines of Atlanta seeking monetary damages. The wreck happened last Thursday morning around 1:00 on Highway 59 near the Farm Road 1794 intersection, which is between Marshall and Carthage.

According to the Department of Public Safety, an El Expreso tour bus was headed north when the driver pulled a U-turn after learning a passenger had been left behind at a truck stop. During the U-turn, a tractor-trailer hauling sand collided with the bus. Authorities say the bus driver failed to check for oncoming traffic. Two people were killed and and several others were injured. The tour bus, which was heading from Houston to Chicago, is owned by the American Coach Lines of Atlanta, Inc., a Houston-based company.

GREENVILLE — Three Hunt County Child Protective Services workers are jailed after they were indicted on a number of charges. One of the cases has to do with murdered Greenville teenager Alicia Moore, whose body was found in Van Zandt County. Laura Ard, 60, of Rockwall, Natalie Reynolds, 33, of Fate, and Rebekah Ross, 33, were all picked up. Sheriff Randy Meeks says the grand jury indicted them for alleged evidence tampering, and one of the three faces three counts of official oppression, while another faces four official oppression counts. While the case is related to Alicia Moore’s death, sources are clear that none of the three are implicated in the murder itself; rather, they investigated Moore among other CPS clients. CPS says it is not aware of the investigation.