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LONGVIEW — A popular Longview bar could be in some hot water after having a $1-million lawsuit filed against it. Gerald’s Martini Bar is being sued by Wesley and Cindy Bickerdike of Longview after their son, Brian, died in December from alcohol poisoning The Bickerdikes tell KETK employees of Gerald’s served their son until the point he became overly intoxicated and was clear danger to himself and others. Brian, who was 25 at the time of his death, had a blood alcohol level of .479, almost six times the legal limit, when he died on December 14. The bar’s owner, Gerald Rodriguez, refused to comment on the lawsuit. Court documents obtained by KETK show Rodriguez is denying all allegations and responsibility in Bickerdike’s death. Continue reading Lawsuit Filed against Bar after Alcohol Poisoning Death

LONGVIEW — Another candidate has filed for Longview City Council in the May 10 election. 60-year-old tool room attendant Donald Webb faces 40-year-old incumbent Kasha Williams in District 3. One candidate, 32-year-old Kristen Ishihara, has placed her name in the running for District 4.

LINDALE — Authorities in Lindale Friday suspended the search for a robber in the area of South Street. KETK reports detectives with the Lindale Police Department are going to follow up on the case. Officials with Lindale ISD said a “soft lockdown” was canceled at 2:00 p.m. and student release proceeded as normal. Continue reading Lindale Police Investigate Robbery that Caused School Lockdown

TYLER — One of the grand old ladies of Caldwell Zoo has died. In a news release, zoo officials say Sierra, their adult female mountain lion, died February 5. She was born in the wild in Texas in 1992 and raised by her mother. She was relocated to Florida, where she was an integral part of a genetic restoration program for Florida panthers, according to the release. She produced two litters of cubs in the wild, and the surviving cubs from those litters have produced cubs of their own. Continue reading Officials: Oldest Mountain Lion in Accredited Zoos Passes Away

MARSHALL — A Marshall man died Friday from injuries sustained when he was severely burned Thursday night. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Marshall Battalion Chief Jack Hanson said the burns occurred about 7:45 p.m. as two men were working to excite a fire in a cast iron, wood-burning stove in the 3800 block of South Washington Avenue. The men used a “flammable liquid,” likely paint thinner, to help ignite the fire, Hanson said. Then one man tried to stoke the fire by using more of the flammable liquid, and the fire ignited the vapors. Continue reading Marshall Man Dies of Burn Injuries

TYLER — A pit bull found in Gregg County last week is on the road to recovery. KETK reports the dog’s collar was wrapped so tightly it had dug into his neck. The dog, named Nikolas, is in Tyler now, getting some high-tech treatment. Over the next few weeks, Nikolas will go through daily regimens of laser therapy. Considering the abuse, Nik’s recovery is expected to be fairly short. Veterinarian Dr. Gary Spence, who’s been working with Nikolas, says within two weeks or so, the dog should be back on his feet and ready for adoption.

SMITH COUNTY — According to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office, one man was injured and a house was destroyed in a Friday morning fire. Officials on scene tell KETK the call concerning the blaze came in at around 10:09 a.m., and crews responded to the home in the 14,550 block of County Road 472, just west of Wood Springs Road near Lindale. The owner of the home was able to escape the home to get to his neighbor’s house to call emergency officials, but was injured in the process. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time, but he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a reported aggravated assault. It happened around 10:45 Thursday night near the intersection of Tyler Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The victim claims when he arrived home, he noticed a suspicious vehicle with a man parked in the road. He circled the block and when he came back, the truck was still there but the man was gone. He continued to watch the truck when he noticed the man sat up and drove off. The victim followed the man, who eventually pulled over, got out with a gun and fired a single shot at the victim, hitting his vehicle. He fled the scene and notified police. The suspect is described as a black male, 6 feet tall, 170 pounds wearing a dark colored hoodie. The truck is said to be a single cab, possibly a Ford. Call police with any information.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man remains in The Gregg County Jail following a chase through Upshur and Gregg Counties. In jail under bonds totaling $30,500 is Damien Cornelius Sherow, 25. The chase began in Upshur County when police discovered, during a traffic stop, Sherow had outstanding warrants against him. A couple of times during the pursuit, officers broke off the case because the suspects reached unsafe speeds. The Longview News Journal reports Sherow was arrested when he attempted to run into a south Longview home. In his car during the pursuit was his girlfriend, her ten year old son and their one year old daughter. Besides two outstanding theft warrants out of Camp County, Sherow is charged with two counts of endangering a child and possession of marijuana.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is seeking two men who allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint at a Kilgore business. A police department news release says two masked men entered the recycling center in the 300 block of Harris Street around 9:30 Thursday morning, and one was armed with a handgun. After tying the victim up, they stole his truck. The truck is described as a 2004 tan Chevrolet extended-cab Z-71, was later found abandoned in a parking lot a couple of blocks away from where it was stolen. If you have any information regarding the reported crime or the whereabouts of the alleged robbers, contact the Kilgore Police Department at 903-983-1559.

ATHENS – A Tatum resident has been sentenced to serve two concurrent prison terms of twelve years and ten years for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. KETK reports those sentences were handed down in Athens to Norman Wade Yoes, 50, after a punishment hearing on Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading Convicted Felon Sentenced for Meth, Possession of Firearm

ATHENS — A Henderson County Jail escapee is back in custody today. Marcus Tyrone Grayson, 28, (pictured) escaped from a work detail at the Henderson County Fairgrounds around 8:00 Sunday night. Authorities say he spent the night in the woods, and then walked to Sand Flats and a friend’s house. Police arrested him there on Thursday. His friend was also arrested. Elexon Dephon Jones, 36, was arrested on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

SHERMAN – In a case that stretched into East Texas, a 55-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a multi-state health care fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas. Peter Pedro Egede pleaded guilty on Apr. 4, 2013, to health care fraud and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison Thursday by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. Egede was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,635,447.60 to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and a fine of $12,500. Continue reading Houston Man Sentenced in Multi-State Health Care Fraud Scheme

TYLER — The former Chief Financial Officer for Dr. Tariq Mahmood’s Texas hospitals has been charged with health care fraud violations. Joe White, 66, of Cameron, Texas, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler, and charged with making false statements to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and aggravated identity theft. White appeared for an arraignment hearing yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. If convicted, White faces up to five years in federal prison for making a false statement and up to two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. Continue reading Former Hospital CFO Charged with Health Care Fraud

TURNERTOWN — Rusk County officials say according to the autopsy report, Alfonzia Garland, who was found dead in a truck near Turnertown, was killed by a gunshot wound. KETK reports the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as a homicide and Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information regarding the case. Garland, 64, of Henderson, was pronounced dead at the scene on County Road 4107 near Highway 64.

RED SPRINGS — A relief fund has been set up after a fire north of Tyler destroyed a home and killed the family dog. According to KETK, firefighters were called out to the 15,000 block of Farm to Market Road 14 around 5:00 yesterday morning. Frances Galindo, her two teenage daughters and a two year old boy all managed to escape the fire unharmed. Officials said there were no smoke detectors in the house. The family reportedly did not have insurance. Red Cross has been called in to assist the family. The cause of the fire is under investigation. You can help the Galindo family by visiting any Southside Bank branch or United Heritage Credit Union on Broadway near the Houston Street intersection. The relief fund has been set up under the name “Frances Galindo.”

TYLER – Progress continues as planned on Tyler ISD BOND 2013 construction projects, according to a news release from the school district. The multi-million dollar bond passed by voters last May includes a new 147,000 square foot Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, two new middle school campuses at the existing Moore MST Magnet School and Boulter Middle School locations, one new middle school at the Three Lakes location in South Tyler, and renovations and additions to Dixie and Rice elementary schools. Continue reading Tyler ISD BOND 2013 Construction Update

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is behind bars after police say he destroyed a classroom at a local college campus while he was drunk. According to KETK, D’Sean James Caldwell, 19, was arrested after allegedly ransacking a classroom at the Kilgore College-Longview campus around 9:00 Tuesday night. Caldwell was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of criminal mischief and public intoxication. He reportedly caused between $1,500 and $20,000 worth of damage. He is being held on a $5,000 bond.

GILMER — With two petitions in their hands, Gilmer city officials prepare for two possible alcohol votes this spring. When the city council meets February 26, it will vote whether or not to approve putting the measures on the May ballot. KETK reports that if the petitions are approved, Gilmer residents will vote on two measures. The first: approve the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption. The second: approve the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants. Officials point out that the items are “totally separate matters.” They say if they make the ballot, “a person can vote against both of them, vote for both of them, or vote for one and not the other.”

CHAPEL HILL — A recent rash of burglaries in one Smith county neighborhood has residents on high alert. KETK reports several people who live off of Highway 64 in Chapel Hill have seen an increase of suspicious behavior, and some have even had things taken. Bobby Logan and his family have lived in Chapel Hill for more than twenty years. He says they’ve never had to deal with anything like this, but early last week more than $700 worth of tools and equipment went missing from his truck during the night. “I’m just a working guy trying to make it and they took the tools that i use to make my living and that’s really aggravating,” said Logan. Continue reading Burglaries Put Neighborhood on High Alert

AUSTIN – Kilgore resident Jerelene Waters has claimed a 50X The Cash top prize worth $1 million, the first of 10 top prizes for this game. Lottery officials say the ticket was purchased at the AFM located at 3099 Estes Parkway in Longview. For selling the winning ticket, the retailer is eligible for a $10,000 bonus. With more than $143.7 million in prizes, the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.06, including break-even prizes. 50X The Cash is part of the Texas Lottery’s new suite of multiplier scratch-off games offered at price points ranging from $1 to $20, which includes 5X The Cash, 10X The Cash, 20X The Cash and 100X The Cash.

QUITMAN — A Wood County man accused of killing his wife and stepson gets a new trial. KETK reports Jason Payne was found guilty in 2010 of shooting and killing Nicole and Austin Taylor. The murders happened in 2007. Payne’s new trial is scheduled for July 14.

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities are asking the public’s help on locating an escaped jail inmate. Marcus Tyrone Grayson, 28, escaped from a work detail at the Henderson County Fairgrounds around 8:00 Sunday night. He was last seen wearing a tan inmate uniform and a tan jacket. Grayson had been in jail on a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. If you have any information about Grayson, you are asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office or the nearest law enforcement agency

BEAUMONT — A Dallas tax preparer has been indicted for federal violations in East Texas. Shannon Tecoko Mays, 36, has been indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to prosecutors, an investigation began in August 2012 in response to numerous complaints to state and federal authorities from citizens in Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Port Arthur and Anahuac regarding income tax returns that were being fraudulently prepared on their behalf. During the investigation, it was discovered that Mays was operating numerous offices across the United States under the name “Syam Tax Services, L.L.C.” and “Baby Momma Tax.” Although the principal office was located in Dallas, Mays also operated or sought to operate satellite offices in numerous other locations, including Fort Worth, Houston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Continue reading Tax Preparer Indicted in SYAM Tax Service Scheme

CARTHAGE (Staff/AP) — According to documents released by the Panola County District Attorney’s Office, previously unsealed documents prompted a reinvestigation of Bernie Tiede’s case. That’s according to KETK. The documents are regarding a newspaper article written by Tiede’s nephew stating Tiede was severely sexually abused as a child but the state has been unable to verify the history of his childhood. With a heavy presence in a courtroom, Tiede entered with his attorney, Jodi Cole, around 1:00pm, seeking a motion to present relief for sentencing with new evidence and to discuss a pending felony theft charge against Tiede. Continue reading Tiede Seeks Lighter Penalty for Rich Widow’s Death

ATHENS — A Chandler man, 31-year-old Joshua Shapley, has been sentenced in Athens to 30 years in prison after being convicted of several burglaries that happened last spring. KETK reports that during one burglary, deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home that had been broken into off Anderson County Road 3030. The owner of the home had left for work and came home to find her home had been ransacked and her television, shotgun, and jewelry had been stolen. Hours later a DPS trooper noticed during a traffic stop that Shapley was in possession of several items matching the description of the items taken. Continue reading Man Gets 30 Years for Several Burglaries

AUSTIN — Governor Perry says it’s time for the president to quit stalling and approve the Keystone XL pipeline project. The governor says the State Department announcement that the pipeline would not negatively impact the environment should be enough for President Obama to act. Perry remarked, “The president of the United States knows this is good for this country.” He says the labor unions are pushing to get the project done “and the North American region could become economically and energy secure.” Appearing on CNBC, Perry said the pipeline is state-of-the-art, with satellite monitoring and automatic shutoff valves. The White House says the president will decide once other cabinet members review it. The southern leg of the pipeline runs through part of Smith County and other sections of East Texas.

GILMER — An East Texas man has been sentenced to 40 years for the aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office, Casey Phillips, 34, had pleaded guilty. KETK reports he must serve at least half of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole. If released, he must register as a sex offender for life. The case came to light after an investigation in Harrison County involving the Hallsville Police Department. Evidence showed that in 2010, Phillips lived in New Diana and the victim was nine years old. Phillips was indicted for the offense in November 2013.

LINDALE — A Florida man has been arrested in Smith County on animal cruelty charges. The Lindale Police Department reports the arrest of Gaylord Stevens, 64, of Pensacola. His bond was set at $2,000. The police department has seized the horses and they are now being cared for by a veterinarian.

KILGORE — An East Texas woman is behind bars accused of stealing residents’ mail. KETK reports Rashunda Renee Butler, 31, of Kilgore, was booked into the Kilgore Municipal Jail Saturday. She was charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana. Continue reading Woman Accused of Stealing Mail