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LONGVIEW — The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau will conduct an economic impact analysis survey during the 2013 Great Texas Balloon Race. Conducted by Sarah Page with Sarah T. Page Consulting, LLC, this survey will include the financial impact of festivals and events in the community. Continue reading CVB to Conduct Survey during Great Texas Balloon Race

LONGVIEW — Sabine Street will be closed to daytime traffic underneath the High Street Overpass between Ware Street and Elliott Street beginning tomorrow. The closure will allow for bridge maintenance and painting. The street will be opened each evening for night time traffic. Daily closures are expected for weekends also. The closure will be effective for four weeks. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals & Clinics has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2013-14 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report. According to a TMFHC news release, the annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. Continue reading Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics Named among Best in Texas

LUFKIN (AP) – A rookie East Texas sheriff’s deputy has delivered a baby when a couple’s drive to the hospital during storms was halted by a tree blocking a road. Tasha and Cody Rogers of Lufkin named their daughter Chloe Amanda – partly for Angelina County Sheriff’s Deputy Amanda Lee. The Rogers were hospital-bound early Monday when a downed tree blocked their route. The Lufkin Daily News reports the couple’s phone call for help was answered by Lee, who’s been with the county since February. Lee delivered the baby in the back seat of the couple’s truck and says mother and child are fine. Hospital officials Tuesday didn’t immediately provide an update. The Rogers also have a year-old daughter. Lee has two children of her own delivered by cesarean section.

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater man who drowned in Prairie Creek on June 22nd, had three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system as well as a deadly combination of drugs. That is contained in the autopsy report released by Justice of the Peace B. H Jameson. As reported by the Longview News-Journal, the autopsy on Timothy Matthew Carson, 36, showed he had many substances in his system when he decided to take a swim with his son. The substances included marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, opiates, phencyclidine, buprenorphine and propoxyphene. His blood-alcohol content was 0.32. Continue reading Autopsy Released on Gregg County Drowning Victim

ALTO — A teenager is dead after a drowning in a Cherokee County lake. KETK reports it happened Saturday at Ratcliff Lake in Alto. The victim, a 13-year-old girl, was at the lake on a church excursion with her family. Details of what happened are limited at this time. But we do know that the victim was pulled from the shallow end of the water and she was given CPR until she arrived at a Crockett hospital. She was then flown to a hospital in Houston where she later died. The name of the girl has not been released.

TYLER — A former East Texas FBI agent has pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm in a case involving multiple weapons. KETK reports John Gordon Brody, 44, entered the plea in May. Officials say all firearms and associated ammunition accessories were seized from the defendant. Officials found 38 unregistered firearms as well as more than 45 ammunition accessories. According to authorities, upon the issuance of the preliminary order of forfeiture, the United States will provide written notice to all third parties asserting a legal interest in any of the property to be forfeited. Officials say the U.S. will also publish notice at http://www.forfeiture.gov of the Court’s Order and the United States’ intent to dispose of the property to be forfeited in such a manner as the Attorney General may direct.

TYLER — UT Health Northeast has been designated as a Clinical Resource Center by the Alpha-1 Foundation, based in Miami, Fla. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency – Alpha 1 for short – is an uncommon but serious genetic condition that causes lung and liver disease. In addition, Kent Davis, MD, medical director of the Ornelas Center for Healthy Aging, recently earned board certifications in hospice and palliative medicine. And Margarita B. Hart, MSN, RN, has been promoted to director of Inpatient Services at UT Health Northeast. Continue reading UT Health Northeast Gets New Designation; Doctor Certified; Nurse Promoted

TYLER — The Texas Medical Board has temporarily suspended the medical license of Dr. William Edward Brown. At Gynecology Tyler, Dr. Brown has been in practice in Tyler for 32 years. In a letter to his patients on his web site, Dr. Brown said, “I have yet to be notified by the board concerning their astonishing move against me.” He said the actions against him are unclear “and contain several misrepresentations.” Later in the on-line letter, Dr. Brown says, “I pledge to you to return to work as soon as possible. I have obtained counsel in Austin from an attorney who deals with these issues commonly and feels this can be readily resolved.” You can go to http://www.gynecologytyler.com and see the entire letter. Continue reading Tyler Doctor Temporarily Suspended

LONGVIEW — The 18 grocery and convenience stores that have received permits to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption since the May 11 election — and the five still waiting for their permits — have created a quick boost to the Longview economy. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. While many of the stores declined last week to disclose the amount they were spending to stock beer and wine, building permits filed with the city of Longview show thousands of dollars have been spent in connection with getting the stores’ beer and wine ready. Continue reading Alcohol Proposition’s Impact Adds Up in Longview

COLLEGE STATION (AP/Staff) – Texas A&M quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from his arrest last year for fighting outside a bar near campus. The Heisman Trophy winner made a brief appearance in court Monday and admitted he failed to identify himself to police following the altercation in June 2012. As part of a plea deal, other charges against the 20-year-old, including disorderly conduct, were dismissed. Brazos County Attorney Rod Anderson says Manziel was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, about $230 in court costs and was credited with the overnight jail time he served following his arrest. His court appearance comes after Manziel departed a day early from the prestigious Manning football camp held in Louisiana. Manziel said an illness caused him to miss practice sessions..

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert joins other federal lawmakers concerned about freedom of religious expression by military members. Gohmert and the others are rallying behind a measure they say would expand that freedom. On “Fox and Friends,” Gohmert said the Obama Administration has shown continued hostility to such expression. Among other things, the congressman said, “At Walter Reed (National Military Medical Center), you’re not supposed to bring anybody a Bible. It’s considered an act of hostility if you give somebody a Bible on their deathbed.”

QUITMAN – The new East Texas Medical Center Quitman opened for patient care at 8:00 Monday morning, less than a day after a community celebration and dedication of the new facility. Warren Robicheaux, administrator of ETMC Quitman, calls the move “a major step in fostering ETMC’s goal of providing the highest quality healthcare to the people of Wood County.” Hospital team members began the move-in process immediately following Sunday’s open house. The emergency department moved during the early morning hours Monday. Officials reported no disruption in care during the move.

HENDERSON — A lonely memorial on Texas 79 outside Henderson serves as a reminder that the first half of 2013 has been deadly on Rusk County roads. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report 17 people have died in wrecks there since January 1 — almost six times the national average. So alarming are the numbers that county officials will conduct a summit Thursday, convening local and state officials to determine why it’s happening and what can be done about it. Continue reading Officials Plan Summit on “Alarming” Rusk County Fatality Rate

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) — Texas Attorney General and newly-minted gubernatorial candidate Gregg Abbott comes home Tuesday. Abbott returns to Longview, where he grew up, as part of a ten-city campaign swing through the state this week. His appearance is set for 9:00 this morning at Horaney’s Inc., 301 West Methvin Street. An RSVP is requested; you can go to http://www.gregabbott.com/ for 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 contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., has begun approximately three months of pavement repairs and resurfacing operations on NNE Loop 323 between U.S. Highway 69 North and American Legion Drive where North Loop 323 meets East Loop 323. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Funeral services have been scheduled in Tyler for Broadcaster Rick Reynolds, 71. Reynolds died Friday at Mother Francis Hospital. Services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at Stewart Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow. Continue reading Funeral Services Set for Retired Broadcaster Rick Reynolds

TYLER — Starting today, Smith County citizens can bring trash and bulky items to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. The Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, Precinct Constables and Smith County Commissioners Court are working together to host the 2013 Smith County Wide Clean Up event July 15-27. During this two week period, vouchers will be available to the public good for one free visit to the Greenwood Farms Landfill. Continue reading Smith County Wide Clean Up Underway

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas minor has been arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of drugs. KETK reports it happened around 3:30 Sunday morning in the 300 block of Hughes Street in Nacogdoches. Police were conducting a traffic stop on a driver who they say had failed to stop at a stop sign. Upon further investigation, officers allegedly found that the driver was intoxicated. Officials also say they found in a search that the suspect had drug paraphernalia and an unprescribed pill in his pocket. The suspect’s name has not been released due to his age.

FLINT — Southern Utilities says a major water leak has been fixed after emerging Saturday on County Road 2868 in Flint. KETK reported late Saturday afternoon that crews were working on the problem. The leak left some residents without water.

BROKEN BOW, OKLA. (AP) – The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has recovered the body of a Texas man who drowned in the Mountain Fork River. Troopers say the body of Eric Wayne Fant, 26, of Texarkana was found Saturday afternoon. Investigators say witnesses said Fant jumped into the river from the US 70 bridge near Eagletown and never resurfaced.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One person is dead in a motorcycle accident in Cherokee County. The wreck was reported just after 11:15 Friday night on Farm Road 855, just west of County Road 3706. The Department of Public Safety says Billy Burl Blaxton Jr., 62, of Bullard, was westbound when his vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree. Blaxton was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:30 Saturday morning. Officials say he was not wearing a helmet.

GILMER — Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Karlie Carol White on Friday was named the 76th East Texas Yamboree queen. “It is a tradition in my family and I wanted to keep the tradition ongoing,” White said. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that White takes her middle name from her grandmother, Carol White, who was crowned Yamboree queen in 1954 when she was known as Carol Cox. Though the two women never had the opportunity to meet each other because Carol White died before her granddaughter was born, Karlie said she knows her grandmother would be proud. “This is so exciting. It’s such a blessing,” said White, whose aunts Tory Frazier and Kay Bowles were also Yamboree queens in 1986 and 1988, respectively. Continue reading Gilmer Girl Follows Grandmother’s Steps, Wins 76th Yamboree Crown

MARSHALL — A water line break on the city’s south side has prompted Marshall officials to advise residents in the affected area to boil water. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the line break is affecting as many as 3,000 customers in these areas:

South of University Avenue, and south of Johnson Street.
West of Highway 59 southward to the city limits.

Until further notice, customers in those areas are being asked to boil water used in cooking or for consumption. The city also recommends boiling for any customer who experienced low water pressure or no water. Officials were asking all residents to conserve water. Continue reading Boil Water Notice Issued after “Major” Water Line Break in Marshall

TYLER — Last summer, grasshoppers covered East Texas, devastating many hay fields across the area. And KETK reports that according to some, this year might even be worse. For the most part they can only keep these pests at bay the best they can, and many have had to resort to cutting their hay early to avoid a loss. Continue reading Grasshoppers Infesting East Texas Again

KILGORE — A man has been arrested after authorities say he had sexual relations with a minor who was high on methamphetamine. KETK reports Christopher Dale Temple, 33, of Kilgore, was arrested for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old that reportedly happened in May. Temple has a lengthy rap sheet in the Gregg County Judicial system, including burglary, assault, possession of marijuana, and criminal mischief. Continue reading Officials: Man Had Sex with Minor Who Was High on Meth

TYLER – A 64-year-old woman who lived and worked in Longview has been sentenced to federal prison in an embezzlement case. Jo Beth Westergard pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud and was then sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge John D. Love of Tyler. Westergard was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $425,323.45 to Pizza Hut of East Texas. Continue reading Woman Sentenced for Embezzling $425,000 from Pizza Business

TYLER — Now through Wednesday, July 17, the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department will provide free residential hand pick up of brush that resulted from Thursday’s storm. All limbs and brush must be placed at the curb and be less than eight feet in length and less than six inches in diameter. Residential Solid Waste crews will work on Saturday to pick up the debris. “Tyler Solid Waste typically provides free brush pick up for our residential customers if the debris is bundled,” said Russ Jackson, Solid Waste manager. “However, because of the storm on Thursday, we will temporarily pick up larger debris from residential customers at no additional cost.” If your brush does not meet the guidelines listed above, call the Tyler Solid Waste office at (903) 531-1388.

TYLER — An East Texan has been found guilty of continued sexual abuse of a child. Smith County prosecutors say Joseph Edward Sullivan began the abuse in 2010, when his victim was just 9 years old. KETK reports he was arrested in 2011. Sullivan’s punishment will be determined August 2. He faces 25 years to life in prison.

NACOGDOCHES — Two Center men were jailed after Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputies busted them for meth. The men were pulled over for speeding along the Loop. Deputies tell KETK both appeared nervous and gave conflicting stories when asked why they were in Nacogdoches County. Authorities say ten grams of meth was discovered during a search of their vehicle. 30-year-old Donald Wayne Lee 30 and 29- year-old Thomas Justin Brown were both arrested and face felony drug charges.