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WACO – A man accused of numerous bank robberies, including two in Tyler, has pleaded no guilty. The infamous “Loan Ranger” entered the plea in federal court in Waco yesterday. Richard Swicegood, 37, of Waxahachie, is charged with 11 counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of property to facilitate a crime, and one count of unauthorized use of another person’s property. He was arrested on July 1, during a traffic stop following the alleged robbery of two Benton, Arkansas, banks. KETK reports Swicegood will be re-arraigned on November 6 and jury selection will begin on November 17. Among the financial institutions he is accused of robbing are Altra Federal Credit Union, 5523 Troup Highway, on August 31, 2011; and BBVA Compass 6910 South Broadway Ave., on May 17, 2012.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) — Adrian Peterson’s mother is defending the Minnesota Vikings running back in the wake of child abuse allegations against him, saying that he is “trying hard to be a good parent.” In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Bonita Jackson of Spring, Texas, said she and Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson, were “big disciplinarians” who used hands, switches, and belts to occasionally spank all six of her children. Jackson, who is 50, said most parents discipline their children a little excessively sometimes, but they are trying to prepare their children “for the real world.” In her words, “When you whip those you love, it’s not about abuse, but love.”

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department has identified the woman who allegedly shot at her ex-boyfriend at the local post office last week. According to KETK, police say Stephanie Yarbrough, 33, of Palestine, was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident happened last Friday at around 4:00 p.m. at the post office, located in the 1200 block of North Link Street. Officials say the woman ran from the building, jumped into a vehicle, and left the scene before police arrived. A short time later, Yarbrough turned herself in to police. She was taken into custody following questioning. Yarbrough faces up to 20 years in prison. She remains in the Anderson County Jail on a $150,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing, and other charges may be filed at a later date from an investigation carried out by the U.S. Postal Service.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has once again been recognized for creative uses and support of distance learning technology in the classroom, Dr. Ross Sherman, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced. Dr. Wesley Hickey received an “Outstanding Distance Learning Faculty” Award at the 2014 Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities Distance Learning Conference. Continue reading UT Tyler Once Again Recognized for Online Education Efforts

TYLER — Justice Sam Griffith has announced his plans to retire from the Twelfth Court of Appeals early in 2015. According to a news release from the Twelfth Court of Appeals, Griffith, 63, was elected to serve on the court in 2000. He began his service on January 1, 2001, joining then-Chief Justice Leonard Davis and Justice Jim Worthen. In his first term, he also served with Louie Gohmert, before his election to Congress, and former Justice Diane DeVasto. In 2006, Griffith was unopposed as he was reelected to a second six-year term. That same year, he and Worthen were joined on the court by Justice Brian Hoyle. The three have now served together for over eight years. Griffith was again reelected in 2012 unopposed. Continue reading Justice Sam Griffith to Retire Next Year

MARSHALL — A man who has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of a Kilgore woman will be transferred to Arapahoe County, Colorado, after a Marshall judge found no probable cause to hold him. According to KETK, Judge Brad Morin’s Office reports Craig Deallen Davison, 48, of Hallsville, appeared in court on Tuesday. The court ruled Harrison County did not have sufficient evidence to hold the suspect on an assault family violence charge, a felony because of a 2005 conviction in Gregg County for the same crime. However, Harrison County District Attorney Coke Solomon said the case is still pending. “At this time there isn’t sufficient evidence to hold him on the charge. Once additional evidence is available, then we can present the case to the grand jury,” stated Solomon. Continue reading Ex-Husband of Missing Kilgore Woman to Be Extradited to Colorado

TYLER (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court justice best known for his silence on the bench stood before an East Texas audience to entertain questions. Justice Clarence Thomas appeared Tuesday night at the University of Texas at Tyler for a question-and-answer session. The 66-year-old Thomas has served on the bench since 1991. It’s been more than eight years since he asked a question in the courtroom during arguments in the case. On Tuesday, he expressed firm belief in the strict construction of the Constitution. As a judge, he says he’s “not into creative writing.” And he said he’s motivated by the belief that if the country “is not perfect, it is perfectible.” Thomas is one of the court’s conservatives and has been part of narrow majorities on several key issues in recent years.

LONGVIEW – A Tyler man is free on bond after being arrested in Gregg County on a charge of aggravated assault family violence with a weapon. Freed on a $15,000 bond was Billy DeWayne Pinke, 46. The Longview News-Journal reports he was arrested shortly before 5:30 Monday afternoon in the 900 block of Fourteenth Street. Pinke is said to have entered a home demanding his four year old son from a woman. After the woman said he hit her in the head twice he then got a shotgun from his truck. He is said to have pointed it at the woman, the child and a neighbor who witnessed the incident. After threatening to kill them, he left in his pickup. Police arrested him as he tried to get onto Interstate Highway 20.

QUITMAN – The Wood County Grand Jury has indicted a Quitman man for tampering with evidence in the deaths of two young girls. The indictment is against Thomas Liles, 19. Witnesses told investigators Liles was seen running from the Dogwood Villa Apartments where the two deaths occurred. They also saw the man throw a “large item” into a dumpster near the building. The items were consistent with having come from the children’s apartment, said police. Continue reading Man Indicted for Tampering in Young Girls’ Deaths

TYLER – Two more persons have been fired as a result of the investigation of misconduct among personnel at the Smith County Jail. The remaining two persons who had been placed on administrative leave pending investigation for misconduct have had their employment terminated as of Tuesday, September 16. The former detention officer and detention sergeant have ten days to appeal the termination with Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Continue reading Two More Fired During County Jail Probe

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair will open this Friday and the day is designated as Senior Citizen day. Tyler Police Department advises drivers that on West Front Street in front of Harvey Hall traffic will be shut down to one lane of traffic in both East and West directions all day Friday starting at 8:00am until midnight. After Friday all lanes will be open until 4:00pm each day and then the traffic will revert back to one lane of traffic flow in each direction until closing time of the Fair. Tyler police encourage everyone crossing West Front to cross at the approved cross walk in front of the main gate. Officers will provide traffic control at this cross walk for your safety. Please use extreme caution in this area due to the large volume of pedestrian traffic and officers directing traffic in the street. Drivers not attending the Fair on Friday and after 4:00pm each day may consider taking an alternate route.

MARSHALL – A man charged with capital murder in Marshall has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder. Eric Alexander Mills pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to the December 7th 2012 murder of Domino’s Pizza employee Raymond Gomez. He received a life prison sentence. As part of the plea bargain agreement, Mills also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery of the business’ manager and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for the aggravated robbery of one of the restaurant’s employees. All three sentences will be served concurrently. Continue reading Marshall Capital Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty

WHITEHOUSE – A two car accident in Smith County has killed one person and injured two. The accident happened around 9:45 Monday morning on Farm Road 349, about two miles west of Whitehouse. Killed was Joann Giles, 68, of Flint. Her 8 year old grandson is listed in stable condition at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The driver of the other vehicle, Larysa Boggiss, 37, of Tyler, is in stable condition at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. According to the Department of Public Safety, Giles car which was traveling at an unsafe speed, hydroplaned on the wet road and veered into the path of the other vehicle.

MARSHALL (AP) – An East Texas man has been charged in the fatal shooting of a Wiley College student during an off-campus argument that left another student wounded. A Marshall police arrest affidavit says the dispute allegedly involved gambling and money owed. Harrison County jail records show 19-year-old Javonte Damone Sanders of Marshall was being held Tuesday on a murder charge with bond at $1 million. Continue reading Suspect Charged in Wiley College Student Slaying

TYLER (AP/STAFF) — The U.S. Supreme Court justice best known for his silence on the bench will speak to an audience in Tyler tonight. Justice Clarence Thomas is scheduled to appear this evening at the University of Texas at Tyler. The program gets under way at 7:30. The 66-year-old Thomas has served on the bench since 1991. It’s been more than eight years since he asked a question in the courtroom during arguments in the case, a silence that stands out since the eight other justices actively question lawyers about their cases. Thomas is one of the court’s conservatives and has been part of narrow majorities on several key issues in recent years.

LONGVIEW – A man scheduled to go on trial for murder in Longview later this month, has waived his right to a jury trial. This paves the way for a plea agreement for Dexter Levi Prince, 22. The Longview News-Journal reports Prince will plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and be sentenced to 12 years in prison. This would make him eligible for parole after six years. Prince, who is the brother of former NFL player Demorrio Williams, is accused of the March, 2011 shooting death of Danielo E. Nelson, 25, of Longview. The shooting occurred in the 100 block of East Melton Street.

AUSTIN – Fifteen Texans, including one from Angelina County, will be honored by the State Board of Education on Friday with the Heroes for Children award. They are being honored for providing hundreds of hours of volunteer service to Texas public schools. The SBOE District 9 award winner is Guessippini Bonner of Lufkin. The state news release said Bonner has worked tirelessly to help the families of students of North Lufkin who are most at-risk. She is often called upon when the district has a child in need of some clothing, food, encouragement and direction. She is also the creator of Sarah’s Hope, an organization that reaches out to young people as a way to enhance achievement through the fine arts. Continue reading East Texan to be Named Among Heroes for Children

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center EMS is the first in Texas to launch the PulsePoint CPR/AED smartphone application to help improve sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival rates in communities served by ETMC EMS in East Texas, Waco and Pasadena. The PulsePoint app helps improve community response to SCA victims by enabling citizen bystanders to provide lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and access a nearby public access automated external defibrillator (AED). Continue reading ETMC EMS to Launch PulsePoint Smartphone Application

TYLER — To ease traffic congestion and create a safer environment near two construction sites on the Tyler Junior College main campus, the City of Tyler is adding crosswalks and other safety features on Magnolia Street, between Fifth and Lake Streets. With a four-story residence hall under construction on the east side of Magnolia and the Robert M. Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Center going up on the west, additional safety measures are needed, said Dr. Tom Johnson, TJC executive director of campus police and director of the law enforcement academy. Continue reading Safety Features Added Near TJC Construction Sites

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. (AP/ABC/Staff) – The Minnesota Vikings are reinstating Adrian Peterson this week after he was charged with child abuse and say he will play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf made the announcement Monday, one day after the former Palestine High School star was benched during a 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots. He’s been charged for striking his 4-year-old son with a tree branch this summer. The Vikings say they take the issue very seriously and have given it considerable thought. But they also say they want the legal process to take its course before making any final decisions. Peterson’s lawyer says the star player was just disciplining his child and did not mean to cause harm. Prosecutors say Peterson’s next court hearing will be in the coming weeks, with a trial expected to take place next year. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison. Continue reading Vikings Reinstate Peterson after Abuse Charge

Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Week of September 15.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews will continue milling and seal coat operations on State Highway 135 in the Kilgore area. This project, which started on September 3, runs for about a mile and a half from Old Gladewater Highway south through the traffic circle to the Gregg/Rusk County Line. It is a multi-phase project that includes doing base repair work, followed by the application of a seal coat and a hot mix overlay. The work includes reducing the roadway to one travel lane through the area. Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra time or use alternate routes to reach their destinations. Remember to slow down and pay attention when traveling through this and all work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will be in Tyler Tuesday, Sept 16, speaking at the Cowan Center at UT Tyler. Justice Thomas’s appearance marks the first event of the season for UT Tyler’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Thomas was nominated to the high court by President George H.W. Bush and he was confirmed by the Senate in 1991.

Thomas will speak Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cowan Center box office or may be obtained online at the Cowan Center website (http://www.cowancenter.org/lectures.html).

Justice Thomas’ appearance at the Cowan Center is sponsored by Drs. Lawrence L. Anderson and Svetislava J. Vukelja, Rod and Merle Mabry/UT Tyler and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Z. Ornelas.

TYLER — The 4th Annual Art Of Peace Festival in Tyler continues after beginning Saturday. It lasts until the actual International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 21st. This is a community-wide event to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace and encourage community spirit, according to organizers. They say the aim is to promote a spirit of cooperation and community through fellowship, dialogue, music, poetry, and art. Continue reading Art of Peace Festival Continues

TYLER – Drivers who use Toll 49 should again plan for delays this week. As was the case last week, the west side of the toll road just north of the intersection of State Highway 64 through the intersection with I-20 will experience lane closures while preventive maintenance is performed. There will be one lane open at all times and work will be performed on the road during the day during non-peak hours. Continue reading Road Work Continues on Toll 49

LONGVIEW — A Longview man who’d been serving as a jailer has been released from employment with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office following his arrest Saturday. The arrest came after Chase Scott allegedly pointed a gun at his girlfriend during an argument earlier that day at the Tree House Apartments in Longview. KETK reports Scott was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of aggravated family violence with a bond totaling $20,000.

TYLER — Drivers will be faced with some road closures in Tyler beginning today. City officials say Rice Road and Shiloh Road from Old Jacksonville Highway to Rhones Quarter Road will periodically be closed to all through traffic between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Roadwork will include a seal coat surface treatment followed by a thin overlay treatment called microsurface. To minimize inconvenience to the public, all work will be done at night. All work is expected to be complete before Oct. 6, weather permitting. Continue reading Road Closures Scheduled in Tyler

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is having a hard time staying in compliance. The Texas Jail Commission requires the Smith County Jail to have a specific ratio of inmates to detention officers. According to KETK, that has been trickier than usual. The jail had three open positions before several jailers were suspended or resigned after an investigation revealed false records. Now they have ten open positions. Officials with the department say they are making it work, but that means officers are now having to work extra hours. Officers are sometimes working six or seven days a week, said Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Krista Caulkins. Continue reading Loss of Jailers Creates Compliance Issues for County Jail

PALESTINE — Police arrested a woman Friday after she allegedly shot at her ex-boyfriend at the Palestine Post Office. KETK reports that officers were called to the post office, in the 1200 block of North Link (State Highway 155 North), around 4 p.m. on a report of shots fired. When authorities arrived, a man told police his former girlfriend, with whom he shares a home, had shot at him. The victim stated the woman followed him to the post office, entered the lobby, and fired a single shot at him as he was about to leave. The woman then left the scene in a vehicle and turned herself in a short time later, according to officials. No injuries were reported in the incident. Investigators believe the shooting is due to a recent breakup. Continue reading Woman Allegedly Shoots at Ex-Boyfriend at Palestine Post Office

CANTON — 17-year-old Michael Henry Dyar is held in Van Zandt County after allegedly trying to kill his mother. According to a press release, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 emergency phone call early Friday afternoon from a woman stating her son had shot her and then fled into the woods behind their residence. Deputies with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrived and set up a perimeter around the location of the residence on U.S. Highway 80, just west of the Grand Saline city limits. The Canton Police Department K-9 unit was contacted and assisted in tracking Dyar through the woods. Continue reading Teen Accused of Attempted Murder of Mother

KILGORE — Police arrested two people Thursday following a drug raid at home on West North Street. According to the Kilgore Police Department, authorities had received multiple complaints of drug dealing at a house in the 900 block of W. North St. According to KETK, police also said there was a shooting in the area over the weekend. Officials believe the incident was due to illegal activity at the home. At least 10 spent shell casings were found at the scene. Reports from the community are still circulating that someone was shot in the foot, but officers have not been able to locate a victim at this time, according to KPD. Continue reading Police Arrest Two in Drug Raid at Kilgore house