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MARSHALL – A couple from Guerrero, Mexico, currently living in Marshall, have been sentenced to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Julia Flores Saucedo, 33, pleaded guilty Jan. 20; her common-law husband, Oscar Diaz-Mendoza, 35, pleaded guilty Feb. 28. Each was sentenced Wednesday in Marshall to 46 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Continue reading Mexican Couple Sentenced for Harrison County Drug Trafficking

MARSHALL – A 29-year-old Sinaloa, Mexico, man currently residing in Marshall, has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Joeli Higuera Fernandez pleaded guilty on May 3, 2013, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison Wednesday in Marshall by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Fernandez was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of $15,000 in currency. Continue reading Mexican National Sentenced in East Texas Meth Conspiracy

TYLER — There are some adjustments to a Smith County burn ban extension announced earlier this week. Those include clarification of the start date, an extra warning for offenders, and a heightened drought index. The Commissioners Court has issued an order to extend the existing burn ban for 90 days, starting Thursday, August 29. The court will have an option to repeal the order prior to the 90th day, if conditions allow. Continue reading Burn Ban Extended For Smith County, Effective Thursday

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have released a photo of murder suspect Elisha “EJ” Williams, 18, of Tyler after securing a warrant for his arrest. Williams was allegedly involved in the shooting death of Briana Raquel Young, who was shot in P.T. Cole Park on Tuesday, July 30. KETK reports Judge Jack Skeen set Williams’s bond at $1,000,000. Investigators have still not been able to locate Williams and need your help in locating him. Anyone with information about Williams or any other further details related to this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case.

TYLER – Four persons have been charged with burglary of a habitation in conjunction with an incident Wednesday on Smith County Road 4142. They are Devante Montreal Veasey, age 21; Nathaniel Montez Dorsey, age 23; Ariel De’ja Raibon, age 21; and Maurice Phillips, age 21. Charges are pending on one other man whose identity will be released later, according to officials. Continue reading Four Suspects’ Names Released in Foiled Burglary

AUSTIN — On Wednesday afternoon, Texas Governor Rick Perry hosted a formal signing ceremony for SB 162– also known as the ‘Chris Kyle’ bill –continuing the effort to help ease employment challenges for active duty military members and their spouses. Continue reading Gov. Perry Signs “Chris Kyle” Bill Developed by ETX Rep

GREENVILLE — An amber alert for three-year-old boy, thought to be in grave and immediate danger, has been discontinued. Greenville authorities had said Aaron William Josiah Sneed was taken by his father, Jacob Aaron Sneed, 39. Greenville police say the man has threatened to crash his car in hopes of killing himself and his son. The two were last seen around 7:30 Wednesday night in Greenville. When the Amber Alert was canceled Thursday morning, authorities reported the father and the boy were located at the home of the man’s grandfather in Missouri. Both were said to be okay and in good condition.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police have arrested a man accused of demanding money from the clerk of a convenience store. Michael Lee Randolph, 42, of Nacogdoches, is said to have demanded the money from the cash register. The incident is said to have occurred just before 11:00 Tuesday night at Rudy’s convenience store on the loop and Center Highway. When a customer came in the store, the clerk called police, who arrived while the suspect was still in the store. Randolph was arrested and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on a robbery charge.

TYLER — A 45-year-old Yantis woman has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in east Texas. Lucretia Beth Brown pleaded guilty on February 14, 2013, to conspiracy to deal firearms without recording the without keeping records. She was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Co-defendant Andrea Jaine Burns London, 51, of Yantis, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2013, to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing. Continue reading Wood County Gun Dealer Sentenced for Federal Firearms Violations

TYLER — The president and chief executive officer of Fair Oil Company, Bob Garrett, has been named chairman of the UT Health Northeast Development Board. Garrett succeeds Herb Buie, who led the board for 10 years. “First we want to thank Herb Buie for the outstanding job he did on our development board. And I am very excited to have Bob Garrett elected as our new board chairman,” said Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun, president of UT Health Northeast. “His energy, enthusiasm, and passion will inspire our 900 employees, scientists, and physicians to do an even better job for our patients and our community,” Dr. Calhoun said. Continue reading Bob Garrett to Chair UT Health Northeast Development Board

JEFFERSON — According to the Visit Jefferson Texas Facebook page, the first “Bed and Breakfast” in Texas caught fire early Wednesday morning. KETK reports the legendary Pride House in Jefferson sustained major damage in the blaze. Details are limited at this time, but we’ll update information as it becomes available.

HIDEAWAY — Neighbors in Hide-A-Way Lake, near Lindale, say they’re confused and upset about a recent investigation. It culminated with the firing of the property’s general manager. One resident who wants to remain anonymous tells KETK, “Everything’s on lock — it’s become this big secretive thing.” The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the community after receiving a complaint that the maintenance supervisor was getting a 50% kickback to cut down trees in the neighborhood. The resident also says the general manager of Hide-A-Way Lake, Dennis Godoy, has now been fired — and she claims this isn’t the first time she has been unhappy with the way things are run in her community. Continue reading Hide-A-Way Lake Probe Concerns Residents

TEXARKANA (AP) – A federal judge says a northeast Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is competent to stand trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven said Shannon Guess Richardson is mentally competent for a trial during a brief hearing Wednesday in Texarkana. Richardson is accused of sending the letters to Obama, Bloomberg and a man who heads Bloomberg’s gun control organization. Richardson also pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of mailing a threatening communication and one count of making a threat against the President of the United States. A federal affidavit alleges Richardson called authorities to implicate her husband before she was arrested in June in Mt. Pleasant. Richardson’s next court hearing is Sept. 11.

TYLER – A 40-year-old Mineola man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Larry James Hooks, Jr., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Wednesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. According to federal officials, on July 19, 2012, Hooks conspired with others to acquire and distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. Hooks admitted to being responsible for assisting in the distribution of more than 34.8 grams of pure methamphetamine. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 27, 2013, charging Hooks and two others with drug trafficking violations. Hooks faces a minimum of five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

ARMSTRONG COUNTY — Authorities say a Most Wanted Sex Offender with East Texas ties was captured this week in the Texas Panhandle after being on the lam for about two years. According to KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety reports Doug Otis Sims, 32, of Center, was caught by deputies in Armstrong County on Monday. Officials say Sims attempted to evade police by using electrical tape to alter the numbers on his license plate. Continue reading Most Wanted Sex Offender from East Texas Caught in Panhandle

WHITEHOUSE– The Whitehouse municipal fire department is under ‘fire’ for a delayed response time when called to 207 Senter Avenue on Sunday, August 18th. Fire officials tell KETK, the blaze started around 1:00 a.m., that night, the homeowners were able to make it out on time, however their house was a total loss. Continue reading Fire Department Criticized for Response Time

LUFKIN — The name of the man found in a burned truck in Lufkin has been officially identified. DNA testing has confired that Efren Mora Elizondo, 47, of Lufkin, the vehicle owner, was the victim of the August 14 murder and vehicle fire. Continue reading Name of Man Found in Burned Truck Released

ODESSA (AP) — A man free on bond pending trial in two weeks for the death of a West Texas man has died in a fiery sport utility vehicle crash in East Texas. Clifford Paul Woods was set for trial in two weeks in Odessa in the November 2010 stabbing death of Brian Dillon, 29. Trooper David Hendry of the Texas Department of Public Safety tells the Odessa American that the 39-year-old suspect died when the SUV he was driving veered off a country road, slammed into a tree and burned. Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox tells the newspaper that Woods was unable to escape the vehicle and died in the flames of the Friday crash on FM 83 near Hemphill. Woods’ trial was to start September 9.

TEXARKANA (AP) — A Texas appeals court has upheld a lower-court ruling that allows the developer of the disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline to condemn Northeast Texas farm land for pipeline right of way. In a 29-page ruling handed down Tuesday, the 6th Texas Court of Appeals in Texarkana ruled unanimously that a Lamar County court-at-law judge was within his authority to allow TransCanada to condemn the right of way. In a statement, landowner Julia Trigg Crawford says she will appeal the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court. Continue reading Appeals Court: Condemnation for Texas Pipeline OK

TYLER — A 37-year-old Wills Point man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Michael Jack Callaway pleaded guilty on November 20, 2012, to possession of an unregistered firearm. He was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Callaway was also ordered to forfeit the shotgun and seven additional firearms to the government. According to federal prosecutors, on August 22, 2012, law enforcement officers found a short barrel shotgun among several rifles, pistols, and shotguns, as well as several hundreds of rounds of ammunition, when they ran a search warrant at Callaway’s residence. It is located on County Road 2144.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2014 budget Tuesday. According to a news release, County Judge Joel Baker, who serves as the county’s budget officer, credits careful financial management and conservative budgeting for a budget that emphasizes the core functions of county government. “This budget meets our current service demands while it demonstrates cautious management of funds and careful planning for the future,” Judge Baker said. Continue reading Smith County Unanimously Approves 2014 Budget

TYLER – A 51-year-old Fruitvale man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking violations in the east Texas. Billie Earl Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. Continue reading Van Zandt County Man Guilty of Dealing Methamphetamine in East Texas

JACKSONVILLE — Some business owners in downtown Jacksonville are still feeling effects from the Yum Yum’s Restaurant fire in April. A few weeks ago, the city cleaned debris off the road and alley from the blaze, but people in the area say it’s not enough. Business owner Emily Griffin is next door to the former eatery. Her building was heavily damaged, and she has not been able to move back in. She tells KETK the city should take part in demolishing the building. The city maintains it’s private property and it has no jurisdiction. Neighbors say the eyesore will not help attract future development. KETK reports property owner Robert Lane has not returned phone calls seeking comment.

TYLER — Smith County has extended its burn ban for 90 more days. The Smith County Fire Marshal tells KETK the extension was voted on Tuesday morning by the County Commissioners Court. Grilling is permitted under the current burn ban with extreme caution and only within a vessel specifically designed for the preparation of food that contains all open flames and flammable materials. Continue reading Smith County’s Burn Ban Extended for 90 More Days

KILGORE — Police have identified the body of a woman who was found dead in the front seat of a car in Kilgore early Tuesday morning — and a man has been arrested for allegedly transporting the corpse. KETK reports the body of Amanda L. Woods, 30, of Kilgore, was found around 3:18 a.m., in a car near the area of FM 349 at the intersection of FM 2276. Police were originally dispatched on reports of an accident. Upon arrival, officials found a car in a ditch beside the road. It was then when Woods was discovered. The initial investigation revealed Woods may have been a homicide victim. Continue reading Body Identified in Kilgore; Man Arrested on Tampering Charge

TYLER – A 45-year-old Kilgore man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking violations in east Texas. Paul Bryan Jones pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on August 26 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love of Tyler. According to officials, on September 18, 2011, Jones possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in the Eastern District of Texas. On that same day, law enforcement officers seized 17.26 grams of pure methamphetamine at Jones’ residence. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on February 27, 2013, charging Jones and three others with drug trafficking violations. Jones faces a minimum of five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

WHITE LAKE, N.C. (AP) – A paratrooper from Longview, stationed at Fort Bragg, has drowned while swimming in White Lake, N.C. White Lake police Sgt. Terry Fell says 21-year-old Pvt. Jordan Miles was swimming with others at the lake last Saturday when he apparently hit his head on a pier. Rescuers were called and found his body about 20 minutes later. Fell says the drowning was ruled accidental. He said it’s the second drowning at White Lake in 2013. Miles was an intelligence analyst assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

MT. PLEASANT — A Mount Pleasant man has been placed in the Titus County Jail on allegations of burglarizing and torching a downtown Mt. Pleasant building early Sunday. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Police Chief Wayne Isbell said Edvardo Antonio Rodriguez, 23, was taken into custody on Washington Street a few blocks from KMPL-TV shortly after a fire was reported in the building on West 3rd Street, about 2:20am. Continue reading Mt. Pleasant Man Arrested in Arson Case

JACKSONVILLE — Officials say charitable donations will cover unpaid wages for ex-employees of defunct Lon Morris College. KETK says the announcement came in a news release. A few years ago, employees of the Jacksonville school began to see delays in their paychecks. After months of questions and confusion about the future of the school, most of the employees were notified of their ultimate termination by email in May of 2012. Lon Morris finally filed for bankruptcy later that summer. Continue reading Former Lon Morris Employees to Get Unpaid Wages Thanks to Donations

RUSK — A woman arrested after an April high speed chase in East Texas has been charged in the crime. Jennifer Cross, 33, was indicted on three counts of evading arrest and one count of tampering with physical evidence. According to authorities, Cross led state troopers on a chase along Highway 69 for more than 35 miles. Reports of the incident said one trooper was forced to stop Cross by spiking her car tires. Officials say she crashed into a street sign in Rusk.