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TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas desperately needs foster homes to take care of homeless puppies and adult dogs needing to be rescued from living on the streets or in deplorable living conditions at their current location, according to an SPCA news release. Officials say the SPCA is currently a foster-based adoption program and can only rescue animals as foster homes come available. Continue reading SPCA: Cold Prompts Urgent Need for Foster Homes for Dogs

LONGVIEW — According to the Longview Police Department, a local school bus was involved in a hit-and- run accident Wednesday morning. KETK reports police responded to the scene of the wreck at Eastman Road and Eden Drive, where Longview ISD bus No. 18 was hit by a car. Adam Holland with Longview ISD says the bus was carrying high school students and no injuries were reported.

KILGORE — A Mexican national is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Gregg County child. KETK reports Jose Sandoval, 32, was taken into custody Monday by Gregg County deputies. He is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the Kilgore area earlier in the day. Sandoval also had misdemeanor traffic warrants out of Kilgore for no driver’s license and no insurance. Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson set his bond at $75,000 for the sexual assault charge.

TYLER – A person has been robbed at the Stone Creek Apartments, 6100 Holly Tree Drive in Tyler. It happened around 9:15 Tuesday night. The victim told officers that he was approached by a black male armed with a black handgun. The suspect pointed the weapon at the man and demanded his wallet. The suspect then fled on foot. Arriving officers saw a male walking through the complex that matched the description given. This person immediately ran into a nearby wooden area. Police set up a perimeter and began searching, but were unable to locate him. The suspect is described as a tall thin black male, wearing dark clothing, and was carrying a black backpack. He appeared to be in his late teens to early 20’s and is considered armed and dangerous.

AUSTIN — State Representative Dan Flynn of Van hits the ground running after the field opens up to file bills for the 2015 legislative session. One of his measures would allow teachers to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Flynn says he knows the move will face opposition, but also says people who object are ignoring our country’s history. He comments, “It’s part of the architecture of the Supreme Court bill. It’s the architecture of many schools. They want to attack what has been the historical precedent set by this country and part of our foundation.” Flynn says his bill could go before committee for discussion by early March next year. Continue reading Flynn Bills Address Ten Commandments, Daylight Saving Time

TYLER — East Texas honors its military heroes on Veterans Day. Just one of the events: a downtown prayer and honor ceremony organized by the city of Tyler. Mayor Martin Heines told KETK, “It’s so important that we give thanks to those that have served our country. It’s something that we take very serious in the city of Tyler, and we want to say, ‘Thank you.'”

MOUNT VERNON (AP) – A suspect sought after the fatal shooting of a woman at a Texas recreational vehicle park has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office issued a murder warrant for Keith Lynn McDowell, 55, after the slaying early Tuesday. Officials say Angie Jo Smith, 31, of Mount Vernon was shot at the Still Meadows RV Park near Mount Vernon. McDowell fled but was found dead hours later in neighboring Hopkins County. Investigators didn’t release a possible motive for the slaying. The RV park manager, Amanda Wheeler, said the victim did not live at the site but was visiting a resident. Wheeler said McDowell also did not live at the park but wanted to see the victim. Autopsies were ordered.

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person who beheaded seven puppies. KETK reports the gruesome discovery was made on October 30 when a person who lived in the area of Farm Road 90 was trying to rescue a great Dane. A sack filled with nine dead puppies was located near the dog. Seven of the animals inside were decapitated. Continue reading Puppies Beheaded in Van Zandt Co., Reward Offered

TYLER — Smith County residents who think, or hope, they might have some money waiting in the state’s unclaimed property database can search the list at an event hosted by the Texas Comptroller’s Office and Smith County Treasurer Kelli R. White. Unclaimed property representatives from the comptroller’s office will be available to help people search for unclaimed property online, fill out claim forms, and answer questions from 10:00am to 6:00pm today at the HUB Center, 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. “There is currently about $3.8 billion in the unclaimed property program,” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “That money belongs to Texans, and it is important that we get it back into the right hands.” Continue reading Unclaimed Property Search Event Today in Tyler

TYLER – A Tyler man is in custody after fleeing security guards at the Smith County Courthouse. He is identified as Harvey Paige Russell, 32. Just before 1:00 Monday afternoon, deputies working the main security entrance of the courthouse asked to search a zippered pouch which Russell had placed in the security checkpoint bucket. He is said to have picked up the pouch and attempted to conceal it from the security officers. After being asked several times what was in the pouch, the man attempted to leave the building. When the officers tried to stop him, Russell ran from the courthouse and across the downtown square. He was taken into custody when he tripped and fell. Russell was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of evading arrest and resisting arrest search or transportation.

TYLER — Tyler Transit extends service north on Broadway Avenue to the Pinnacle at North Chase Apartments at 3651 North Broadway Avenue and the Lake View Senior Apartments at 3650 North Broadway Avenue as of Tuesday. These two additional stops were added to accommodate the residents of the two new developments.

GLADEWATER — A Kilgore man was being held Monday in the Gregg County Jail on claims that he pointed a gun at and robbed a 16-year-old boy in Gladewater earlier this month. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Deedrick Shamon Pegues, 30, was being held on bonds totaling $41,000. He’s charged with aggravated robbery; resisting arrest, search or transport; and theft of property valued between $500 and $1,500. Continue reading Kilgore Man Jailed in Alleged Gunpoint Heist

FLINT Emergency crews responded to the scene of major crash at the intersection of Highway 69 and Farm Road 346 in southern Smith County. Authorities tell KETK a truck ran the light and collided with a van. Law officers said they were first alerted to the accident at 12:23 Monday afternoon. The van was headed east through the intersection when the truck struck its side, according to authorities. The driver of the van and truck were taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. They have been identified as a woman and a man. Their names were not immediately released.

LONGVIEW — A Spring Hill football player is recovering in a Plano hospital after suffering a life-threatening concussion Friday night. According to KETK, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Mark Sartain said senior quarterback Garrett Plumlee took a hit late in the 3rd quarter in the game against Atlanta and suffered a concussion. The training staff took immediate precautions and called an ambulance. While en route to the Longview Regional Medical Center, Plumlee had to be resuscitated by medical officials, stated Sartain. Doctors discovered Plumee was experiencing brain hemorrhaging and could not breathe on his own. Around 1:15 Saturday morning, Plumlee was flown to a Plano hospital in critical condition. Continue reading Spring Hill QB Recovering after Suffering Brain Hemorrhage

LIVINGSTON (AP) — An East Texas man has been accused of stealing an ambulance in a three-county chase that ended with road spikes stopping the medical vehicle. Polk County jail records show Derwin Wayne Armstrong, 55, of Center was being held Monday on a charge of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle. Nobody was hurt in the chase early Sunday after the ambulance was stolen from Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. Nacogdoches police contacted other agencies as the chase went from Nacogdoches County into Angelina County. Officers put down highway spikes and stopped the vehicle in Polk County. Diboll police Chief Steve Baker says the fleeing ambulance at times went 80 mph. Authorities are trying to determine what prompted the theft. Online jail records don’t list an attorney for Armstrong, whose bond is $20,000.

TYLER — Ringo Starr, former drummer for legendary group the Beatles, is coming to The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center executive director, announced. Sponsored by the Owen Family, Richey Family and Anderson Vukelja Family, the musical icon will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015. Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased at the UT Tyler Cowan Center box office, online at http://www.cowancenter.org or by calling 903.566.7424. Box office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office will be closed Thanksgiving week, Nov. 24- 28. Continue reading Ringo Starr to Perform Valentine’s Day Concert at UT Tyler

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler online nursing programming has achieved national recognition, Dr. Yong Tai Wang, College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean, announced. Out of 50 nationally accredited nursing institutions analyzed by the national independent organization SuperScholar, UT Tyler ranks among the best in the country to offer quality online undergraduate nursing education, according to a UTT news release. UT Tyler is the only UT System academic institution listed, and the university bests Arizona State University, Michigan State University, the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, the University of Missouri – St. Louis and Lamar University, among others. Continue reading UTT’s Online Undergrad Nursing Programming Nationally Recognized

LONGVIEW — One person is dead following a weekend shooting in Longview. On Saturday morning at 1:15, officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of Martin Luther King Blvd. for a shots fired call. While officers were responding to that location another call came in from Good Shepherd Medical Center. An officer working off-duty there was told a shooting victim had just arrived in the emergency room. Police learned that 40-year-old Tarrence Lamond Booker, of Longview, was brought to the hospital by people at the scene of the shooting. Police were told there was an altercation between several men at the club and numerous shots were fired, with Booker being hit by gunfire at least one time. Booker had life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital as a result of those injuries. Continue reading One Dead after Weekend Shooting

TYLER – Two men are in custody in connection with several Tyler burglaries. It began shortly after 4:15 Sunday afternoon with a call of a burglary in progress in the 1400 block of South Chilton. A witness saw someone trying to break into a home and chased the suspect toward Bergfeld Park. Officers found the suspect hiding in the public restrooms. After a brief struggle the suspect, identified as Joseph Wilson, 19, of Tyler, was taken into custody. Continue reading Tyler Burglary Suspects Arrested

TROUP Smith County authorities are investigating the injury of a pregnant woman in the southeastern part of the county. The call came in around 4:15 Sunday afternoon about a pregnant woman who had fallen from a moving vehicle. It happened on Highway 110 South near County Road 2138 near Troup. The call originally reported an auto accident. However, state troopers reported no accident and alerted the sheriffs office. The woman, after being treated on scene by EMS, was transported by life flight to a Tyler hospital for further treatment. Her name has not been released and her condition is unknown at this time.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Week of November 10, 2014:

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler this week will be working on Farm Road 857 between Farm Road 1253 and the county line. Travel lanes will be reduced to one with traffic control conducted by flaggers. Slow down and use caution when traveling through this area. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Construction on the ETMC overhead pedestrian walkway will begin today between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm. During this time, only one lane each on Beckham Avenue will be open for northbound and southbound traffic. Construction is scheduled to continue until Friday.

TYLER – Two missing Smith County children have been found. Tyler police report that Chelsey Gee, 11, was found Saturday unharmed and reunited with her family. She had last seen Friday evening between 6:00 and 7:00 at Rose Valley apartments located at 1007 NNW Loop 323 in Tyler. Continue reading Two Missing Children Located

NOONDAY – A Missing Smith County boy has been found. Shortly after 5:00 Friday afternoon Smith County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a missing child. The caller said her 10 year old son had been playing in the yard, but when she went outside to check on him, he was gone. Patrol deputies as well as multiple agencies responded to the 10700 block of County Road 192 near Noonday. After about a two hour search, Tyler Police Department advised that they had received a call from a retail store regarding the location of the child. The child had apparently wandered into the woods and became disoriented. He continued walking through the woods until he came to a shopping center in the 7200 block of the Old Jacksonville Highway. He was returned to his mother around 7:15.

LONGVIEW – For the third time, a Longview capital murder trial is being rescheduled. In a court hearing Friday, the trial of Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, 23, was set for January 9th. He is charged in a fatal attack in Good Shepherd Medical Center’s Ambulatory Surgical Center November 26th of last year. His mother was having surgery at the center the morning when the attacks occurred. Templeton is accused of killing a nurse and a visitor at the surgical center. He is also is charged with stabbing another nurse and two other visitors and is charged with three counts of aggravated assault. No word from the district attorney’s office if they plan to seek the death penalty in the case.

MARSHALL — Officials are investigating after a decomposed body was discovered in a Marshall residence. The Marshall Police Department Communication received a call shortly after 11:45 Friday morning reporting a deceased person in the 100 Block of Wood Street. The woman has been identified as Hester Foster, 49. She had been reported missing just over a week ago. Her body has been transported to Tyler Forensic Lab, where Justice of the Peace Precinct #2 Judge Clarice Watkins ordered an autopsy to be performed to determine the cause of death.

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater man already well-known to law enforcement has been arrested on a drug-related charge. KETK reports Gladewater investigators and patrol officers concluded an ongoing investigation Thursday night when they arrested Deyron Smith, 25, and charged him with delivery of controlled substance. At the time of his arrest, Smith was in possession of over 10 grams of suspected heroin. Smith was also found to have an outstanding felony indictment for theft through Gregg County and is currently on parole through Gregg County.

BROWNSBORO — A Brownsboro High School student has been identified as Jacob McCawley, 17, after being arrested in connection with graffiti containing threatening statements. According to KETK, parents of BISD students say the threats were regarding writing on the wall of a boys’ restroom vowing “Satanic sacrifices.” School officials in partnership with law enforcement received information about graffiti on a bathroom stall on Tuesday and responded quickly to investigate the matter, according to a BISD news release. Officials say McCawley was immediately detained at the beginning of the school day Wednesday. He’ll be charged as an adult with making a terroristic threat on a public entity. He has also been suspended from school, according to BISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran. Continue reading Suspect Identified in Brownsboro Threats

MT. VERNON — An East Texas school district is standing up to a group’s challenge to religious expression on campus. The Freedom from Religion Foundation last week sent a complaint to Mt. Vernon ISD over religious sayings written on school walls as well as t-shirts being sold by the PTO. Superintendent John Kaufman says the 8 to 10 biblical inscriptions are among 175 historical quotes written on walls at all their schools. According to Kaufman, “We are leaving everything just as it is until our lawyers respond with what we need to do. We’re not gonna be overreactive in this.” He adds that students feel the complaint is an attack on their religious freedom –and, in response, have been wearing t-shirts to school with religious messages on them.

CANTON – A Van Zandt County man has been found guilty of killing his wife. Larry Maples was sentenced Thursday to life in prison. The shooting happened around 6:00 Sunday morning on March 24, 2013. It occurred at a home at 2642 Farm Road 26, west of Canton, where Heather Maples, 34, had been staying. Continue reading Life in Prison for a Van Zandt County Murder