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AUSTIN — Democrat Paul Sadler of Henderson, favored to win the U.S. Senate primary runoff, says don’t count him out in November. Sadler told supporters in Austin if the party unites behind him, he can win. He said, “We are a diverse, great state of powerful, strong people and a hearty and rich land, and we can win this race for the United States Senate.” But the former state representative is little known outside East Texas, and he’s raised little money. His runoff opponent, Grady Yarbrough of San Antonio, is a native of Smith County.

NACOGDOCHES — A man led Nacogdoches Police on a car chase, eventually hitting another car before running away on foot. It happened Tuesday evening just before midnight. According to Nacogdoches Police reports, a police officer was leaving the scene of a vehicle burglary on the 200 block of North Stallings Drive, when the officer spotted a truck that matched the description of the one involved in the burglary. KETK reports, the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, a Ford pick-up, but the driver refused to pull over.
The man led police on a short chase down the North East Loop 224, and onto the 4000 block of Jade Street, where the driver abandoned the truck and ran away on foot. After he left the vehicle, the truck rolled into a parked car, causing damage. The truck was found to have been stolen from the Houston area. The thief managed to get away. If found, he could face evading arrest charges in addition to charges for the theft of the vehicle. Police are investigating the crime.

LONGVIEW — Fire has damaged some units of Longview’s Hidden Hills Apartment complex on Gilmer Road. The Tuesday morning fire was reportd shortly after 10:00. According to KETK, callers reported heavy smoke coming from the building. Crews were able to contain the fire quickly. The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW – Funeral services are pending for a former Longview city councilwoman who died over the weekend. Sidney Bell Willis died Sunday at the age of 76. She served as District 3 city councilwoman from 2002 until 2011. After retiring after 43 years as a Longview school teacher, she ran for public office. Willis was a member of the NAACP, and a recipient of the city’s Race Relations Committee Unity Award. She was a member of Top Ladies of Distinction and the first Top Teens Advisor.

GILMER — A Longview police officer has been released on bond from the Upshur County Jail, after being charged with assault family violence during the weekend. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Aulderson Levi Franklin, who was commissioned in February as a Longview police officer, was released on $5,000 bond Sunday, according to the Upshur County Jail website.

Upshur County Sheriff’s Lt. Freddie Fitzgerald said deputies were dispatched to Orange Road in Big Sandy about 9:45 p.m. Saturday in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with witnesses as well as Franklin, and determined “family violence” had occurred at the location, Fitzgerald said. The victim, a relative of Franklin’s, had been choked. Franklin was booked into the county jail and charged with assault family violence enhanced, impeding breath. The felony charge carries a sentence of two to 10 years if the suspect is convicted, Fitzgerald said.

MARSHALL – A 52-year-old Marshall man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in east Texas. Randy Lee Smart pleaded guilty Monday in Marshall to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne. According to information presented in court, on June 13, 2010, Smart purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a CVS store in Marshall with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Smart also admitted that the total quantity of pseudoephedrine that he possessed was between 100 and 300 grams. Smart was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 4, 2011. Smart faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

LONGVIEW — A suspect is in custody in a Longview shooting incident. Saturday night shortly after 7:30, officers were dispatched to the 1900 Block of Wagster Street. When they arrived, witnesses stated that a male victim had been shot and was taken by private vehicle to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Officers determined the victim had been shot one time and his injuries were not life-threatening. The suspect, identified as LaDerrick Morgan, 37, of Longview, later came to the Police Station and spoke with detectives. According to statements made to detectives, the two men had an argument, and the victim followed Morgan into his home, where Morgan allegedly shot the victim one time. Morgan was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The case remains under investigation.

TYLER — A group known as the Smith County Tea Party Special Election Committee forms to support sheriff candidate Chris Green. The group claims Green has been wrongfully attacked during the campaign. Green faces Larry Smith in a July 31 GOP runoff that will decide the county’s next sheriff. Smith’s backers include Grassroots America – We the People. Go to http://www.SmithCountyforGreen.com to learn more about the new group.

CANTON — A man is jailed in Van Zandt County on multiple charges connected to a series of auto thefts. On Friday, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers put out a call of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 2475 North of Wills Point. Shortly thereafter, an officer arrived in the area and was notified that the vehicle had been stolen. The deputy then located the vehicle and initiated his emergency lights. Authorities say the driver then tried to evade, traveling south towards Wills Point. After a short pursuit the driver reportedly bailed out on foot near FM 47 and County Road 3849.

The deputy was able to apprehend the suspect, identified as Jeremy Lee Daniel of Point. Officials say Daniel is a subject of interest in several motor vehicle thefts throughout the county. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Saline Police Department, Wills Point Police Department, DPS, Rains County Sheriff’s Office, and several other agencies had all been working together to locate Daniel. He’s currently in the Van Zandt County Justice Center on three counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle and one count of evading arrest, with a combined bond amount of $155,000. Several agencies are currently seeking further charges on Daniel.

TYLER — A child sex assault suspect has been arrested by Tyler police. On Friday, police responded to Shiloh Pines, a mobile home park located at 2525 Shiloh Road, to investigate a report of sexual assault of a child. Officers contacted the mother of a nine-year-old girl who made an outcry that she and several of her friends around the same age had been sexually assaulted by a 21-year-old man who lives in the mobile home park. The victim stated that the assaults had occurred on numerous occasions over the past month in a wooded area, where the suspect, known as “Tom,” had made a club house inside the mobile home park. Investigators were called to the scene and were able to obtain evidence to secure an arrest warrant for the suspect.

The suspect is identified as Thomas Harold George Brookbank, 21, of Tyler. Brookbank was charged with continuous sexual abuse of young children, a first degree felony, and placed in Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $750,000. This case is still under investigation with five children having been identified as alleged victims thus far. If anyone has further information about this case, you’re asked to contact Detective Brown with the Tyler Police Department at 903-533-1880.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is in the Gregg County Jail after allegedly brutally stabbing his female companion. Just before 7:00 Sunday night just before 7:00, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Blue Ridge Parkway. When officers arrived, they found the victim across the street from her residence with multiple stab wounds. According to a police report, the victim stated she and the suspect, whom she lives with, had been arguing on and off for the past several weeks. The victim decided to leave, and the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Levi Lee Duby of Longview, allegedly slashed the victim’s vehicle tires and later allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times with a pocket knife.

Police arrested Duby near his home a short time later. He was charged with aggravated assault family violence and taken to the Gregg County Jail for booking. The victim was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. According to KETK, Duby is currently jailed on charges of family violence with a deadly weapon and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $55,500.

CANTON — Van Zandt County officials are crediting Crime Stoppers tips for an arrest in an eight-year-old case. On Friday, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrested Clint Wayne Mills on a warrant for a 2004 attempted aggravated sexual assault after he was released from prison prior to the county being notified. Investigators received tips from Crime Stoppers that led to his location. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, the DPS, Wills Point police, the Van Zandt County Precinct #3 constable, and the Canton Police Department’s helicopter teamed up to apprehend Mills on County Road 3502 without incident, according to authorities. Mills is currently being held at the Van Zandt County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

BULLARD — A detached garage went up in flames in Bullard early Monday morning, destroying vehicles and other property belonging to the homeowner. The Bullard Volunteer Fire Department was called to 504 Ella Street at about 4:45 by the homeowners, who were awakened by a loud explosion in the garage. According to KETK, when firefighters arrived, they found the large garage fully involved with the structure already completely destroyed. Inside the garage, two vehicles, a boat, and several ATVs were burning. All of the items were a total loss. There were no injuries reported. The Bullard Police Department is investigating the cause of the fire. The Flint-Gresham VFD also assisted in fighting the fire.

UNDATED – Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to continue work this week in Smith County, weather permitting. Crews were scheduled to apply a seal coat to the following roads:
● Farm Road 2964 (Rhone’s Quarter Road) between State Highway 110 in Tyler and Farm Road 346 in Whitehouse on Monday and Tuesday;
● Farm Road 346 between State Highway 110 in Whitehouse and SH110 in Troup on Wednesday; and
● State Highway 155 between Coffee City and Frankston on Thursday and Friday
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — Construction crews this week are scheduled to resume nighttime resurfacing work on South Loop 281 in Longview between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway. The work is being conducted Sunday-Thursday between 7 p.m.-6 a.m., weather permitting. Once the work on Loop 281 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work in various locations on Spur 63. Overnight lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be on the lookout for workers and heavy equipment in and around the work zone. Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to resume pavement-repair work on eastbound Interstate Highway 20 between Joy Wright Mountain Road to Farm Road 3053 in Liberty City. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 79 east of Henderson between the city limits and the Panola County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also affecting motorists in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance forces from Nacogdoches County are scheduled on Monday, July 23, to close Farm Road 225 between U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk County and Cushing to replace a culvert. The roadway is scheduled to re-open on Thursday, July 26th. Local traffic will be allowed access to driveways, but thru traffic must seek an alternate route.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue seal coat operations on Farm Road 17 between State Highway 64 in Canton and Interstate Highway 20, followed by the same work on various IH 20 service roads. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

Looking ahead, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Van Zandt County as early as Monday, July 30, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● Farm Road 47 between the Rains County Line and Farm Road 2475;
● Farm Road 859 between U.S. Highway 80 in Edgewood and Interstate Highway 20 north of Canton;
● Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood;
● State Highway 64 between IH 20 west of Canton and State Highway 19 in Canton.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 317 between Farm Road 1803 and Farm Road 607 in Leagueville, and on Farm Road 753 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 59 in Crossroads. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Looking ahead, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Henderson County as early as Thursday, July 19, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● State Highway 155 between Coffee City and Frankston;
● Farm Road 317 between Farm Road 1803 and Farm Road 607;
● Farm Road 1616 between State Highway 31 in Athens and Farm Road 773 in Murchison;
● Farm Road 753 between Farm Road 59 and State Highway 19 south of Athens;
● U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 316 and Loop 7 in Athens;
● Farm Road 316 between Farm Road 1861 at the Van Zandt County Line and State Highway 198 near Payne Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 2022 between State Highway 294 in Slocum and the Houston County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LINDALE — A fire destroys a house in Lindale. According to KETK, it was a home in the Highlands subdivision, which is off of Wood Springs Road in Lindale. Three fire departments responded to the fire Sunday afternoon. No one was home at the time. The house belonged to Glenn and Deborah Pool, who own Glenn’s Jewelry in Lindale. Glenn’s Jewelry burned down back in March of this year. No word yet on what caused the house fire.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed woman at the Tyler Public Library. The 82-year-old woman was finishing a book while sitting in her vehicle Sunday afternoon. She said a man walked to her vehicle, showed her a black handgun, and demanded that she take him where he wanted to go. She refused and stepped out of her vehicle and gave the suspect $100. The man then walked to Bois d’ Arc Street and was last seen walking north from the area. The woman was not injured. The suspect was described as a black male; 19-20 years of age, 5’10” tall and clean shaven.

WAKE VILLAGE (AP) — An escapee from a county jail in Texarkana has been recaptured in Wake Village, Texas. Bowie County, Texas, Chief Deputy Larry Parker told the Texarkana Gazette that Marquis Tervon Franklin of Texarkana, Texas, was arrested Saturday afternoon. Parker said a tip led officers to a home in Wake Village where deputies spotted Franklin and arrested him after a short chase on foot. Franklin escaped the Bowie County Correctional Center between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Parker says investigators are still trying to determine how Franklin escaped. Franklin was being held on charges of robbery, evading arrest, unauthorized use of a vehicle and failing to identify himself to authorities.

LONGVIEW — A man beaten outside the Lodge Sports Bar & Billiards early Thursday has died. Sean Drake, 39, of Longview, died Saturday at Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized since being beaten unconscious during an early morning fight Thursday, Longview police said.

According to the Longview News-Journal, Kim Phillips, Drake’s ex-wife and the mother of their daughter, Kristen, said Drake was attempting to diffuse the altercation before being knocked unconscious. A suspect fled the scene before police arrived, and no arrests had been made in connection with the fight, Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said.

After being taken to Good Shepherd, Drake was being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he initially was listed in critical condition. An autopsy has been ordered to determine if the death occurred due to injuries suffered during the beating. Police will then determine whether they will classify the beating as a homicide, Brian said. Police are still investigating.

TYLER—A Tyler home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported just after 4:00 Saturday afternoon at 815 Meadow Lane. When they arrived, firemen reported heavy fire and smoke conditions in the two-story home. No one was home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported. They’re still trying to determine what caused the fire

RUSK — Cherokee County officials say jury selection scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the 2nd Judicial District Court has been cancelled for Monday, July 16th. That’s according to KETK. Contact the Cherokee County Courthouse for further information.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) has started work on I-20 to connect with Toll 49 as part of the Segment 3B contract. The NET RMA’s Design/Build Contractor, CH2M Hill, has begun dirt moving activities to build the ramps and bridge crossing of I-20. This week, CH2M Hill starts activities that will impact traffic as they start the I-20 construction. Everett Owen, NET RMA Project Director, stated, “This is another milestone on the project as the work at I-20 is significant in advancing the opening of Segment 3B of Toll 49.” Once the connection to I-20 is complete, Toll 49 will provide connectivity to the west and south of Tyler. The project is on schedule to be complete in the spring of 2013.

The construction activities planned by CH2M Hill will consist of two major elements, construction of the entrance and exit ramps and the Toll 49 Bridge crossing I-20. Traffic delays on I-20 due to this construction are expected to start taking place this week, pending weather. Through the end of 2012, the traveling public should expect delays on I-20 between FM 849 and CR 433 (Harvey Road). The CR 411 Bridge crossing I-20 will remain closed to the public to facilitate new I-20 ramp construction. You’re advised to be prepared for any potential delays in the construction area.

NET RMA officials advise you to follow the NET RMA on Twitter and Facebook and stay current by logging onto http://www.toll49.org for the all of the latest updates.

WOOD COUNTY — A Wood County grand jury has indicted a man who was arrested and accused of killing a dog by throwing it in a fire. Larry Lowrey, 28, of Point, was indicted this past week on the charge of cruelty to a non-livestock animal and torture. Lowrey was arrested in April after Wood County sheriff’s deputies discovered the remains of a dog inside a burn pit with other debris. Witnesses, who were with Lowrey on CR 2174, told authorities Lowrey threw the dog in the fire on a dare. The Longview News-Journal reports, he told authorities that he was swinging the dog in the direction of the fire when he tripped and tossed the animal into the flames, If convicted, Lowrey could face up to two years in jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

MARSHALL — A 79-year-old woman was in the Harrison County Jail on Friday, charged with shooting her husband in the head during an argument Wednesday. Investigators said Bonnie Hooper was arrested after her husband was found on the floor of their home with a bullet wound to his head. Bonnie Hooper was charged with aggravated assault while her 62-year-old husband, Hubert Dean White, was treated and released from Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall, said Harrison County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jay Webb.

KILGORE — Kilgore police searched Friday for a man and woman whom, they say, stole nearly $70 worth of sex toys from a Kilgore adult shop. According to the Longview News-Journal, the suspects bought $75 worth of items Thursday from Adult Video and DVD in the 1900 block of Industrial Boulevard, but a shop worker told police they stole four other items, said Lt. Roman Roberson of the Kilgore police. The store owner said the two loitered in the shop for a long time, and after they left, the owner checked the surveillance video. “Shop lifting is a problem for any retailer, and it is stealing,” the owner said. The surveillance video showed the man stuffing the items into his pants. The suspects fled before police arrived.

TYLER — Grassroots America We The People held a debate for Smith County Sheriff some months back. The controversy starts when Larry Smith made these comments about a case he claimed we worked back in 1999. “Newton Anderson killed a man and woman in New Harmony several years ago. Raped a lady and killed both of them, burned the house down. He’s in the cemetary now. Those are cases also with ones that I worked on, took great pride in and felt very helpless in doing so.”

Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, at that time was also in the running for sheriff who disputed Smith’s claim. “One of my opponents said he worked a lot of these cases, a lot of these cases he wasn’t even there for, while ago he said the first 48-hours. He wasn’t there the first 48-hours, the Anderson case. That’s a Smith County case we’re the ones that worked that case.”

Shortly after that, the lead investigator in that case, Troup Chief of Police Pat Hendrix, spoke out against Smith’s and shared that information with Smith Country Sheriff’s Candidate Chris Green. “I’m the one that told Chris Green that Larry Smith wasn’t there. Chris Green uses that at the next debate, at I believe a Grassroots of America debate and then May the 18th I get this nasty letter saying that Mr. Green made false allegations that he was actually there and he investigated it. We’ll I’m here to say as the lead investigator, 20 year veteran of the Sheriff’s office,all the evidence I have, Mr. Smith was not there.”

Larry Smith spoke with KETK Friday and brought several court documents with him. They’re documents from the case that show Larry Smith was a witness in the capital murder trial back in 1999, when smith was an ATF agent.

LUFKIN — Law enforcement arrested a Lufkin man after receiving a unique report of strange activity Friday morning. According to the Lufkin Police Department, officers were called to the Motel 6 located on the 1100 block of South Timberland Drive around 11:36 to reports of a man acting strangely. When officers arrived, they found Derrick Lews, 37, lifting imaginary weights and growling outside a motel room. According to KETK, it was later discovered that he was high on PCP. He was arrested and booked into the Angelina County Jail. His bond was set at $500.

ATHENS — 51-year-old Doyle Wayne Brewer of Longview pleaded guilty Thursday in Athens to his seventh driving while intoxicated offense. According to KETK and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, he will serve a 25-year prison sentence as a result. The charge stemmed from a two-vehicle collision in which Brewer rear-ended another driver on Highway 31 just west of Athens. Neither driver was injured.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – Prosecutors have agreed to reset former Palestine star Adrian Peterson’s court date to Aug. 6 on a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident at a Houston nightclub. The Minnesota Vikings running back was charged with resisting arrest and briefly jailed after a confrontation with an off-duty police officer at the club last Saturday. Police say Peterson pushed the officer after he asked Peterson and his acquaintances to leave the club, which was closed. Peterson and attorney Rusty Hardin arrived early for his initial court hearing on Friday, then left before Judge Natalie Fleming even arrived. Hardin says he wants prosecutors to gather more information. Peterson said outside the courtroom that he is “200 percent innocent” and that he didn’t “push, shove, touch anyone that night, especially an officer.”

TYLER – The Director of the Tyler Museum of Art, Kimberley Bush Tomio, has announced her resignation. She will become the Director of Museum Services at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. She starts her new duties next month.

“This decision was very difficult for me, as my twelve-year tenure at the TMA has been a tremendously rewarding experience,” said Mrs. Tomio. “The Museum has grown in scope and vision since my arrival, and has achieved many successes. It has been an honor to be part of the historic changes that took place, and I am confident the Museum will continue to build upon its reputation and the local support from its members, foundations and donors who recognize the importance of maintaining a world-class art institution for this community and the wider east Texas region.”

Mrs. Tomio arrived in Tyler in 2000 from Dallas, where she had served as Director of the Crow Collection of Asian Art and Associate Director at the Dallas Museum of Art. Prior to that, she held positions at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

The Tyler museum of Art will soon start its quest for a new director.

TYLER — A federal grand jury in Tyler has returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes in East Texas.

Robin Marion Allen, 52, was indicted on charges of bank robbery. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on June 25, 2012, Allen is alleged to have robbed the Wells Fargo Bank in Atlanta, Texas by giving a bank teller a note demanding a bag be filled with money.

Steven R. Lipps, 34, of Hope, Arkansas was indicted on charges of simple possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on April 23, 2012, Lipps was found to be in possession of methamphetamine while in the jurisdiction of the United States at the Red River Army Depot.