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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A woman reported missing from Kilgore since May 15, 2014, has been located and arrested in Lexington, Kentucky. According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit was notified early Wednesday morning that Christina Rae Davison had been arrested at around 1:00 a.m. in Lexington. The arrest stemmed from an outstanding Harrison County, Texas, warrant along with local charges in Lexington. Lexington officials booked her into jail on a felony warrant, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Christina Rae Davison Found, Arrested in Kentucky; Missing since May

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities report that Zackery Childers, 19, of Kemp, was recently sentenced to 5 years in prison for a 2013 burglary of a habitation. The investigation began when Sheriff’s Deputy Jodie Sorrells responded to a call that a young man had been seen driving an allegedly stolen lawnmower into the woods. Continue reading Man Gets Five Years in Burglary Case

AUSTIN (AP) – The head of the state Senate Transportation Committee is proposing a constitutional amendment funneling part of the revenue from Texas’ vehicle sales tax to building and maintaining roads. Sen. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville announced the plan Wednesday during a news conference with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Taxes collected on vehicle sales currently flow into the state budget’s general revenue. If passed by the Legislature and eventually approved by voters, Nichols’ plan would divert all tax collections over $2.5 billion annually for road infrastructure beginning in the 2018-2019 state budgetary cycle. While the amount would fluctuate based on sales totals, Nichols said it could generate $2-plus billion per year. Nichols and Patrick said it was a way to keep top Texas Republicans’ campaign promises to bolster funding for transportation infrastructure without raising taxes.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is searching for a missing teenager. According to KETK, police say Alexis Wardlaw, 15, left her residence through her bedroom window February 2, sometime around 8:00 p.m. Wardlaw stands 5’3” and weighs 110 pounds, with a thin build. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black tennis shoes, and a maroon jacket, but she did pack a bag with other clothes, officials say. If you know the whereabouts of Alexis, contact Detective Kay Lynn Newbill at (903) 218-6907, call Gregg County Crimestoppers at (903) 236-STOP, or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Police also ask that you share this information with your friends.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the 2013 drug-related slaying of her boyfriend. Kristine Garcia of Lufkin pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder in the death of 47-year-old Efren Elizondo. His body was found in a burning truck. The 26-year-old Garcia also testified, as part of the plea deal, that she stabbed Elizondo at the urging of a co-defendant who remains at large. Continue reading East Texan Pleads Guilty to Body in Burning Truck

LONGVIEW — Police say they have been questioning a person of interest as they continue investigating a shooting that happened at a Longview gas station. According to KETK, police say they responded to a gunshot call in the 3000 block of Estes Parkway just before 10:30 yesterday morning. When they got there, the victim had already been taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. A witness said he saw a white Lincoln Town Car and black Dodge Charger leave the scene. If you have any leads, you’re asked to call Gregg County Crime Stoppers or Longview police.

NACOGDOCHES – A vehicle/pedestrian accident in Nacogdoches has left one person dead. It was reported just before 6:30 Tuesday night on North Street. KETK identifies the victim as Vernis L. Davis, 74, of Nacogdoches. He was pronounced dead at a Nacogdoches hospital. He was crossing the street when hit by a pickup driven by Timothy P. Taylor, 34, of Nacogdoches. Investigators say no charges have been filed in the accident.

TYLER — Dr. Juan E. Mejia, who joined Tyler Junior College as vice president for student affairs in October 2013, has been appointed to serve as TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. Mejia served as a founding member for South Texas College in McAllen, where he had served as chief academic officer since 2003. STC grew to six full comprehensive campuses and an enrollment of close to 33,000 students, making it the 8th largest community college in the state of Texas, according to a TJC news release. In addition, it had the largest dual enrollment in the state, with close to 13,000 students from its participating school districts. Continue reading Mejia Named TJC Provost, VP for Academic and Student Affairs

GRAND SALINE — Law enforcement officials are seeking tips in a recent theft at Grand Saline ISD. According to KETK, police said more than $2,000 worth of Grand Saline High School baseball equipment was taken over the weekend. If you have any information on this crime, contact the Grand Saline Police Department at (903) 962-3145. Parents are urged to be on the lookout for equipment not given to their children.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview website, LongviewTexas.gov, is currently unavailable. “We realize this is an inconvenience for customers and we will be working to restore a web presence as soon as possible,” according to a city news release. “In the meantime, we encourage customers needing to do businesses with the City of Longview to contact in person, by phone, email, social media, or using the CitySend mobile app.” Residents are reminded that water utility payments may be made in person at City Hall, by mail, by phone, or at Fidelity Express locations. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the website issues are related to a week’s worth of hacking that started with a group purportedly concerned about the recent police shooting death of 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard. Continue reading City of Longview Website Temporarily Unavailable

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – House Republican leaders say the House will vote next week on legislation to construct the Keystone XL pipeline and send it to President Barack Obama. Obama has threatened a veto. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that the House will consider the Senate-passed bill, which also included provisions stating that climate change is not a hoax. The House passed a version of the bill last month. The Senate voted 62-36 last week to build the $8 billion project that would connect with existing pipelines to carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day to refineries along the Texas Gulf coast. That vote was short of 67 votes needed to override a presidential veto. One of the existing pipelines runs through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated a preliminary nine percent enrollment increase for spring 2015, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. With a preliminary headcount of 7,889, this marks the second consecutive year UT Tyler has seen this percentage increase during a spring semester, according to a UTT news release. Last spring, the total headcount was 7,193. “We’re very excited to see another increase in the spring semester,” said Sarah Bowdin, assistant vice president for enrollment management, “and we attribute that to our continued retention of enrolled students and the recruitment of new graduate and transfer students.”

EAST TEXAS — More layoffs will be hitting the East Texas oil field industry, with a Canadian-based company telling state regulators it will lay off 125 in Longview and GE saying it will cut 330 jobs in Lufkin, according to the Longview News-Journal. Continuing signs of the collapse of petroleum prices that are forcing oil companies to jettison workers as they adjust to leaner profits. The U.S. benchmark crude oil price has been cut in half since June. Continue reading More Layoffs Planned for Oil Field Workers

TYLER — A 44-year-old woman, formerly of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has been sentenced to federal prison for a health care fraud scheme. Vivian Yusuf pleaded guilty on September 17 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She was sentenced yesterday to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider. Yusuf was a fugitive for several years before her arrest June 3, 2014 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Continue reading Nigerian Sentenced for East Texas Health Care Fraud Violations

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man has received a life sentence stemming from a 2012 double murder. KETK reports jury selection had begun in Longview January 20 for the trial of Joshua O’Steven Reese. He was accused of killing La Toya Nicole Reese, 28, and 11-year-old Mya Rosetta Nichol Sebron. Judicial records show Reese later pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder and will spend the rest of his life in prison. Continue reading Man Gets Life Term for 2012 Double Murder

TYLER — The father of a Smith County toddler who died after being found in a hot vehicle last year has received probation. According to KETK, Smith County court records show Russell Lindstrom, 33, of Flint, was sentenced to 10 years adjudicated probation for two counts of injury to a child. Lindstrom, who was indicted October 2, was originally charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child; those charges were modified in October, and Lindstrom pleaded guilty January 9. Continue reading Flint Man Gets Probation in Hot Vehicle Death

CLEVELAND (AP/Staff) – Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered treatment for an unspecified condition. An advisor for the Tyler native said in a statement released by the team Monday that Manziel decided to enter treatment during the offseason. Brad Beckworth says Manziel knows there are areas he needs to improve on to be a better family member, friend and teammate. Browns general manager Ray Farmer says the team fully supports Manziel and respects his initiative in entering treatment. He says the team will respect Manziel’s privacy during treatment. Beckworth says the former Heisman Trophy winner and his family are asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland. Manziel has faced questions for several years about a penchant for partying, with some critics saying he’s not ready to lead an NFL team. Manziel mostly backed up Brian Hoyer last year for the Browns and struggled in two starts before getting hurt.

SMITH COUNTY – Three people are dead, including a toddler, after a devastating crash in Smith County. DPS Trooper Jean Dark says it happened around 11:30 Sunday night. Dark reports a Lincoln MKZ driven by Roderick Erwin, 39, was traveling north on State Highway 110, four miles north of Tyler, when it attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. Also in the car with Erwin were Latonya Hambrick, 34, and three-year-old Jaiyen Erwin. When Roderick tried to pass the traffic in front of him, he collided with an Infiniti driven by Reginald Jimmerson, 41, of Irving, who was driving south on 110.

Trooper Dark says the Lincoln left the roadway toward the right and flipped before landing upright and catching fire. Jaiyen was ejected from the car. Roderick, Latonya, and Jaiyen, all of Tyler, were pronounced dead at the scene. They were not wearing seatbelts, according to Trooper Dark. Jimmerson was injured in the wreck and was taken to a local hospital to treat a broken leg and ankle. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Dallas for autopsies.

AUSTIN — An East Texas lawmaker is drawing attention with a couple of bills he’s filed. In one measure, Republican Chris Paddie of Marshall says hunters should get a couple of tax-free holidays. The bill would create two such holidays, which would coincide with the openings of dove and deer seasons, the last weekends of August and October. Paddie says Louisiana has a similar holiday, making it a competitive issue. He says he wants to encourage hunters to “shop at home rather than going across the border” to get their supplies. Paddie thinks the bill will sail through. It would cover firearms, ammo, hunting blinds and stands, gun cases, safety equipment, and more. Paddie hopes the measure will encourage more folks to hunt. Continue reading Tax Free Holidays Proposed for Texas Hunters

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of February 2. Weather conditions forecast for the area could cause changes to this week’s work schedules.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Tyler maintenance crews will be performing pavement repairs on State Highway 110 North just south of Interstate Highway 20. The job will be conducted with traffic reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER – A woman reports to Tyler police she was attacked as she jogged Saturday morning. The attack occurred between 5:30 and 6:00 in the 8100 block of Karen Drive. The woman told officers she was approached by 2 Hispanic males in what was described as a late 90’s model red Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck. The victim said that the passenger got out and assaulted her. As the two struggled, a light came on across the street at which point the assailant left. She described him as a Hispanic male, approximately 25-33 years of age and wearing dark tan work shorts and a light colored shirt. She said he had black and curly hair and was about 5’08. She was taken by private vehicle to East Texas Medical Center where she was treated and released.

TYLER – Fire crews were dispatched to a Tyler house fire Saturday afternoon. It was reported shortly after 1:30 in the 1600 block of Sybil Lane. Both resident of the house escaped without injuries. No word on the cause of the fire. It is said to have started in the garage.

SMITH COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a body found in southeastern Smith County. Sheriff Larry Smith said the preliminary investigation indicates the death is a suicide. No more information was released.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is arrested in connection with an international child pornography ring. Arrested at his home in the 3100 block of Quail Lane was Edwin Volcik. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated sexual assault of a child and is being held on $1 million bond. ICE released the following statement to KETK: “Special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and officers from Harrison County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office and Longview Police Department executed a search warrant Wednesday night in Longview and made one arrest for possessing child pornography. This is an ongoing investigation.”

MARSHALL – A Harrison County man has been arrested in a land dispute that left a man injured. Bryce Gisselback, 53, was arrested after allegedly ramming a man with his truck and then dragging him. He has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and bond was set at $75,000. KETK reports the dispute began when Gisselbeck saw Randall and Ronnie Garrison were removing the fence allegedly built on the front of their property by the suspect. Gisselbeck is said to have rammed Ronnie Garrison’s vehicle numerous times. He is then said to have pinned him between the two automobiles. He is then said to have dragged Ronnie Garrison with his vehicle. He was taken to a hospital by private vehicle.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The Texas Department of State Health Services has named an interim commissioner to temporarily replace David Lakey, who helped coordinate state response to the first case of Ebola in the U.S. The department announced Friday that its associated commissioner, Kirk Cole, (pictured) will replace Lakey effective Sunday. Forthcoming is the appointment of a chief medical executive licensed to practice medicine, who will advise Cole on health issues. Lakey was in charge of the department when Liberian Thomas Duncan was confirmed to have Ebola and later died in Dallas. Lakey announced his resignation January 7 and joined the UT Health Northeast in Tyler and The University of Texas System. Dr. Lakey will serve as Senior Vice President for Population Health at UT Health Northeast and as Associate Vice Chancellor for the UT System. His stepping down wasn’t related to an ongoing no-bid contract scandal at Health and Human Services that has prompted the resignation of several officials.

ATHENS — State District Judge Carter Tarrance of Athens sentenced a man Monday to 20 years in prison for severely beating his wife and, in a separate incident, shoving feces down her throat. According to KETK, District Attorney Scott McKee says Marc Jimson Woodcock, 45, of Waxahachie, will serve the maximum sentence for the attack on Karen Woodcock. McKee said in July 2013, the suspect pleaded guilty and chose to have the court punish him. He was indicted the following year. Continue reading Man Sentenced in Athens for Violent Assaults

TYLER — 2015 marks the Tyler ISD Foundation’s 25th anniversary, and the milestone was celebrated Thursday during a luncheon at Willow Brook Country Club. Speakers included Tyler ISD Board President Rev. Orenthia Mason, TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford, TISD Foundation President Marc Loredo (pictured), and TISD Foundation Executive Director Maya Bethany. One of the organization’s founding directors, former mayor Barbara Bass, delivered an address as well. The celebration was also the kickoff for the Foundation’s 2015 Annual Fund Campaign. Continue reading Tyler ISD Foundation Marks 25th Anniversary

LONGVIEW — A Mexican national living in Kilgore has been indicted by a Gregg County grand jury this week for the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in the Kilgore area. KETK reports Jose Sandoval, 32, was taken into custody on November 10, 2014, by Gregg County deputies. Officials say Sandoval also had misdemeanor traffic warrants out of Kilgore for no driver’s license and no insurance. The suspect is currently being held in the Gregg County Jail on an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) detainer.

KILGORE — Residents at 303 West North Street got an early, unexpected wakeup call from Kilgore police officers Friday morning. According to KETK, officers had a warrant in hand to search the residence for drugs. The Criminal Investigation Unit had received information about a person or persons at the residence allegedly dealing crack cocaine. Narcotics Investigator Chitwood opened a case on the residence and soon determined a large amount of crack cocaine was in fact being sold, according to police. Continue reading Kilgore Police Arrest Two on Drug Charges