TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.
HENDERSON COUNTY – As early as Wednesday this week, TxDOT contract crews are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on the following roadways:
* West Loop 7 between FM 59 and FM 1616
* FM 59 between SH 19 in Athens and FM 753
* US 175 east of Athens between FM 804 and FM 315 (Saturday) Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates
LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University in Longview recently received two grants totaling $14,000 to provide for five student scholarships and to acquire the VineUp software to facilitate a pilot mentoring program between John Deere employees and LETU students. Seven LETU engineering alumni who currently work at John Deere have volunteered to participate, according to Paul Boggs, director of LETU’s Office of Sponsored Programs. LETU officials say the purpose of the initiative is to create graduates who meet today’s workforce needs and to reduce employer training costs for new graduates. Also, the stated goal is to ensure that LETU engineering students are gaining the skills required in the workplace during their educational journey and to improve student motivation and persistence to succeed at LeTourneau in their future careers. Officials say the program also allows LETU students to build a network of professional contacts in their chosen fields.
GLADEWATER — A Gladewater man died after being pinned under the front suspension of a roll back wrecker truck while trying to work on the vehicle. According to the Longview News-Journal, it happened Saturday morning at a shop in the 1800 block of Cannon Street in Gladewater. Police said Titus Tyrone Prince, 47, was attempting to replace the exhaust system on the vehicle and had the truck on “some homemade vehicle ramps.” Police were told by John Black Jr. of Gladewater that the vehicle had rolled over Prince, pinning him. Prince was unresponsive, and emergency personnel were unable to find a pulse.
SMITH COUNTY — Two children are in critical condition following a fatal two-vehicle wreck in Smith County. The accident happened Saturday just after noon on Highway 271, just south of FM 16. DPS troopers say a truck hydroplaned and ran into an 18-wheeler parked on the side of the road. The driver of the truck, Thomas Eynon, 43, was killed in the accident. Sources say three children, a boy and two girls, were transported to the hospital. The boy and one girl were transported to a Dallas-area hospital. The boy, Aiden Eynon, 5, and the girl are said to be in critical condition. The second girl is in an East Texas-area hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time. The families of the children have been informed of the accident.
LONGVIEW — A Henderson woman is in jail after pleading guilty to embezzling over $300,000 from the Longview ISD Education Foundation. KETK reports Patricia Hesler was sentenced to serve one year in jail after pleading guilty to forgery and first-degree felony theft. She pleaded guilty to the charges in March, after she admitted to stealing $320,000 from the foundation while working as an administrative assistant for the accounting firm the foundation uses. The embezzlement took place over a four-year period. In addition to jail time, 10 years of probation, and community service, Hesler will be required to pay back all $320,000 she stole. Continue reading Woman Jailed for Embezzling over $300K from Longview ISD Foundation
MT. PLEASANT — East Texas Law enforcement is looking for a man accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Titus County on Monday, and authorities say he’s believed to be in the Longview area. KETK reports authorities seek Ryan Jacob Schmidt, 35. Schmidt allegedly attacked and threatened to kill a woman while driving on Highway 271 until the victim jumped from the moving vehicle in fear of her life, according to the Titus County Sheriff’s Office. Titus County deputies first learned of the incident when Camp County Sheriff’s Office officials reported an assault victim at a hospital in Pittsburg. The woman had been thrown from a moving vehicle near the county line. Continue reading Kidnapping/Assault Suspect Believed to Be in Longview Area
RUSK — The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed a patient at Rusk State Hospital has been reported missing. According to DSHS spokesperson Christine Mann, the patient left the grounds sometime between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Thursday. Mann said no additional information about the patient could be released. KETK reports the Rusk Police Department has been notified of the disappearance.
ATHENS — Authorities continue to investigate a fertilizer fire at an Athens farm supply after announcing that the location is being treated as a crime scene. Meanwhile, according to KETK, city officials moved forward with local activities at another location after a slight delay. Staffers at the East Texas Arboretum said opening activities Friday at the Fiddlers Reunion “Jam Session” were moved to the Arboretum, with festivities returning to the downtown square at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Continue reading Fertilizer Lot Blaze Remains under Investigation
TYLER — The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is seeking the help of the public in finding the following children who are classified as missing by the state: Zachary Edenfield, 6; Izaak Edenfield, 4; and Rachel Edenfield, 1. KETK reports the parents of the children are Tasha McQuigg, 24, and John Edenfield, 26, who are also missing — and the family’s last known address was in Tyler. The department was granted custody of the children Thursday due to allegations of neglectful supervision. Officials have been actively looking for the children for several weeks now due to a current intake on this family, according to information from DFPS. Anyone with any information on their whereabouts is asked to contact CPS at 903-373-4192 or 936-332-7224.
SMITH COUNTY — Law enforcement intervened in a disturbance Friday at Azleway Boys Ranch in Smith County. At approximately 11:37 Friday morning, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call that a student at the ranch had been assaulted by another student. The caller advised that both boys were still on scene and had been separated by staff members at Azleway. Paramedics as well as Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and sergeants were dispatched and arrived on scene at approximately 11:55 a.m. The victim was said to be alert when paramedics arrived and was transported to ETMC for treatment of injuries. Sheriff’s deputies and detectives interviewed witnesses to gather information on the events that occurred. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
GREGG COUNTY — East Texas Regional Airport announces some upgrades. The new terminal baggage claim area has been opened with a new, larger baggage conveyor system. As part of the East Texas Regional Airport Renovation Project, the baggage claim area has been relocated to the north lobby, according to a news release. Also, the rental car counters have been relocated to the same area. Officials say this change provides more space and convenience for arriving passengers. They say this area adjoins the main terminal lobby and provides more floor space, reducing congestion for travelers, friends, and family. Continue reading Changes at East Texas Regional Airport
PITTSBURG — Big Earl’s Restaurant in Pittsburg is facing a unique backlash on social media. That after an LGBT couple was called a gay slur by a waitress and told not to return. One observer says, “I think the restaurant better learn to adapt, or they will probably have to close their doors soon if the online initiative actually works out.” Some in the Dallas gay community are actually planning a road trip there. Another person says, “I think it’s a fantastic idea, and I’ll be there.” And Big Earl says bring it on. Kristina Cheney is his daughter and the waitress who actually made the homophobic remark. She says, “We are aware that they are intending to come out here. We’re ready for ’em, so we’ve informed the sheriff’s department.”
LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Officials at Longview’s Greenwood Cemetery and the local cemetery association are considering their next moves after vandals damaged nearly 90 headstones at the Greenwood facility. The cemetery association is considering raising the money needed to install surveillance cameras. The Longview News-Journal reports some of the older headstones could cost up to $1,000 to repair. Some of the headstones were moved, while others were knocked over and damaged. Older headstones, including some obelisks, were toppled and broken into pieces. Police believe the vandalism occurred Tuesday.
TYLER — Officials now say the Parker County man whose partial remains were found May 23 in northeastern Smith County was probably killed in Fort Worth — and two possible suspects have been identified. In what they say will be their final news release on the item, Smith County authorities say Fort Worth officials will head up the investigation from this point. The body of 54-year-old Marion Lee Brown was recovered in Cross Lake in Shreveport last weekend. Continue reading Human Remains Case Shifts Focus; Possible Suspects Identified
MARSHALL — A Harrison County grand jury indicted a man Thursday morning in the murder of an East Texas teenager. KETK reports Rodris Webster, 25, is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Alicia Benefield earlier this year. The teen was reported missing on Friday, March 14, at 4:30 a.m. She was last seen leaving a home in Elysian Fields following an argument. Panola County officials later found her vehicle in DeBerry, Texas. Benefield’s body was eventually recovered on March 18 on Farm to Market Road 31 and Elysian Fields Road in Marshall. Webster was charged with her murder the following day after he confessed, according to authorities. Continue reading Man Indicted in Teen’s Murder
LONGVIEW — Four people have been arrested in Longview following the search of a home near Interstate 20. They’re identified as Skyler Armond Reese, 20, Damian Jacody Bernard Nelson, 24 and Dezmund Bronshae Nelson,20, each of Longview; and Saihaine Nijel Freeman, 20, of Kilgore. They were taken into custody in the 100 block of Cummins Street for possession of more than 4 ounces and less than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to Longview Police Department spokeswoman Debra Stiles. Stiles said the home was raided after the issuance of a search warrant for the location. The exact amount of marijuana recovered has not been released. KETK reports Reese, Damin Nelson and Dezmund Nelson are being held on $5,000 bond. Freeman’s bail was set at $1,000.
PITTSBURG — There’s controversy in Pittsburg after a couple says they were told not to come back to a restaurant because they’re gay. Big Earl’s Restaurant is a local institution, so Collin Dewberry and his partner, Kelley, decided to have breakfast there. Dewberry says everything seemed to be going fine until they paid their check — and were approached by their waitress on the way out. According to Dewberry, “She said, ‘Here at Big Earl’s, we expect men to act like men and ladies to act like ladies, so I’m gonna have to ask that you never return.'” Continue reading Gay Diners Claim Discrimination at Pittsburg Restaurant
LONGVIEW — Former longtime Gregg County Judge Henry Atkinson has died. County Judge Bill Stoudt reported the news Thursday morning and confirmed it to our news partner KETK Thursday afternoon. Although funeral arrangements are pending, Stoudt said he will order county flags lowered to half-staff for the judge’s services. Atkinson served as Gregg County judge from 1967 to 1990 and succeeded R. E. “Peppy” Blount while preceding Kenneth Walker.
TYLER – A 47-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison in a case involving counterfeit materials. James Leroy Frattarola pleaded guilty March 5 to possessing counterfeit silver bars with the intent to defraud another. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison Thursday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Continue reading Gregg County Man Sentenced in Counterfeit Silver Scheme
LONGVIEW — Thanks to citizen help, Longview police have arrested a vehicle theft suspect. Thursday morning around 1:45, police received a call in reference to a theft of vehicle in the 400 Block of N. Spur 63. According to police, the reporting party saw the suspect, later identified as Chad Harrington, steal a Ford pickup truck. Authorities say the caller was able to safely follow the vehicle while communicating with dispatch to lead officers to the location. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle near Highway 31 and South Loop 281, where Harrington was taken into custody and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was safely returned to the owner.
KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is seeking information on a Sunday morning armed robbery and car-jacking. According to KETK, on Sunday around 4:00 a.m., Kilgore police responded to the intersection of Camp Street and Broadway Boulevard due to a reported armed robbery. The victim reported a silver or gold colored newer model Dodge extended-cab pickup truck pulled in front of his vehicle and stopped. After stopping, three young black males and one young Hispanic male got out of the truck with one of them displaying a firearm. They then took the victim’s vehicle and drove off. Continue reading Kilgore Police Probe Armed Robbery, Carjacking
TYLER — A Whitehouse man has pleaded guilty to the 2013 murder of a man at a Tyler apartment complex. According to KETK, Earnest Deaundra Jackson, Jr., pleaded guilty to the shooting and killing Joshua McGill, 21, at Kensington Place Apartments in June 2013. According to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office, the capital murder charge against Jackson was dropped in exchange for his plea, taking the possibility of the death penalty off the table. Continue reading Whitehouse Man Pleads Guilty to 2013 Murder
TYLER — Since the recovery of burned human remains on Smith County Road 371 last Friday morning, Smith County detectives have worked around the clock in an attempt to locate the body of the victim, according to a sheriff’s office news release. And now authorities say they have identified the victim and found the body. He has been identified as Marion Lee Brown, 53, of Parker County near Weatherford. He was identified by fingerprint comparison which was made by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit. That information was forwarded to Shreveport, Louisiana authorities associated with this investigation. The body subsequently recovered in Cross Lake in Shreveport last Saturday was that of Brown. Continue reading Body Remains Found in Smith County Identified
DALLAS — A multi-county chase beginning in East Texas ended when the driver wrecked his vehicle in Dallas County. KETK reports that according to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the incident started Tuesday when a deputy pulled over a car for a traffic violation in the western portion of the county. The deputy then approached the driver and asked for his driver’s license. At this time, the driver took off and a pursuit ensued, according to officials. Henderson County law enforcement stayed with the chase into Kaufman County until highway patrol took the lead. According to KXAN, the man weaved in and out of opposite lanes of traffic on Interstate Highway 20 and US Highway 175 in southeast Dallas. The driver eventually crashed into another vehicle and was taken into custody, officials say. Troopers transferred the man back to the Henderson County jail. The number of injuries was not immediately known.
TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday ratified a short-term lease with Lake Tyler Marina Resort for the operation of the Lake Tyler Marina. On March 3, the city terminated a marina lease with Daveryl Holdings, LLC. Between April 4 and May 20, the marina was operated by the City of Tyler Water Utilities staff Thursdays through Sundays. On May 20, staff concluded negotiations for a short-term (not to exceed 90 days) lease with Lake Tyler Marina Resort. Officials say the purpose of the short-term contract agreement is to provide for marina operations while a longer term lease can be negotiated. “The long-term lease we are working on will address outstanding issues from the previous lease such as, but not limited to, RV space rental, boat slip repair, facility maintenance, subleases and sales documentation,” said Utility and Public Works Director Greg Morgan. Continue reading Short-Term Lease with Lake Tyler Marina Resort
TYLER — A 42-year-old Bullard woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a food stamp fraud scheme. Monica Bunch, also known as, Monica Hernandez, pleaded guilty on August 8, 2013 to conspiracy to unlawfully use, transfer, acquire, and possess SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. She was sentenced to six months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Bunch was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $72,846.09 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to forfeit the proceeds of the fraud scheme. Continue reading Smith County Woman Sentenced for Food Stamp Fraud Scheme
TYLER — During Wednesday’s meeting, the Tyler City Council approved a construction contract with Reynolds and Kay, Ltd., to reconfigure the pavement markings on portions of Rice Road and Shiloh Road between Old Jacksonville Highway and Rhones Quarter Road. The result will be the addition of a continuous left turn lane. “This improvement is expected to decrease the number of collisions and improve the progression through the corridor,” said City Engineer Carter Delleney. “The addition of sweeping rights at strategic locations on Rice Road and Shiloh Road will improve traffic flow and the safety of the traveling public.” The project will include a seal coat with a micro-surface overlay and new thermo striping.
LONGVIEW – Longview police investigate vandalism at a local cemetery, On May 27 at 3:30 p.m., police were dispatched to a criminal mischief case at Greenwood Cemetery, at 705 Magrill. When officers arrived they discovered that approximately 88 headstones had been vandalized. Some of the headstones had been moved, knocked over, and broken. Police say the motive for the crime is unknown and at this time there is not a known suspect. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous, he or she can contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.
TYLER — A tractor trailer rig caught on fire this morning and stalled traffic in a couple of lanes for a time, but those roads are now open. It started around 5:15 this morning at Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Hwy. Officials said it’s believed the truck caught fire due to a malfunction with the brakes. No injuries were reported and the truck was extinguished quickly by TFD.
TYLER – Smith County voters in the GOP primary runoff have elected Jason Ellis as judge of the County Court at Law. Since he has no Democratic opponent in November, he will be succeeding Thomas Dunn in January. In complete, but unofficial returns Ellis polled 6, 337 votes to Mike Patterson’s 3.821 votes. Continue reading Ellis Defeats Patterson in Smith County’s GOP Primary