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GILMER — A Gilmer man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and two counts of sexual assault of a child. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Benjamin Lee Powers, 21, received two 14-year sentences and one 15-year sentence from 115th District Court Judge Lauren Parish of Gilmer. The sentences will run concurrently. Powers was originally placed on 10 years deferred adjudication on the manslaughter charge and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, complete 400 hours of community service, participate in a victim impact panel and receive counseling. Continue reading Gilmer Man Sentenced to Prison for Manslaughter, Child Sex Assault

PANOLA COUNTY — Two people are dead and another is airlifted to a Tyler hospital after a wreck in Panola County. The wreck happened around 1:00 a.m. Thursday on Highway 59 near the FM 1974 intersection. State Troopers on scene tell KETK an El Expreso tour bus was traveling north when the driver got word a passenger was left behind at a truck stop. Continue reading Fatal Wreck Involving Tour Bus and 18 Wheeler

LONGVIEW — A Longview ISD bus driver was fired Wednesday after district officials confirmed she dropped more than 20 students off at a busy Longview intersection, forcing them to walk home. According to the Longview News-Journal, the employee, whose name was not released, was a first-year bus driver who had been through training with the district, spokesman Adam Holland said. He said district policy prohibits a bus driver doing such an act.

On Friday, the bus No. 27 driver collected 56 students from Forest Park Middle School. Around 4:45, she dropped more than 20 students off near the Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County at the intersection of Garfield and High streets. Holland said the bus 27 route is now being driven by a substitute driver.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Street Department will be repairing and overlaying Bellwood Lake Road from the railroad bridge to the dead end at the lake. For the safety of employees, the road will be closed to the public from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday during construction. Work is underway and is expected to be completed by Oct. 11.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for an older model minivan, possibly a 2002 or 2003 silver or gray vehicle, occupied by a Hispanic male wearing a ball cap pulled down over his face. Authorities say in the early morning hours, the person has been frequenting areas with school bus stops occupied by young females. Earlier, officials say, he approached a young female and fled the area at a high rate of speed when adults attempted to make contact with him. That incident occurred at Highway 110 South and County Road 2228. If you see this vehicle and suspect, call 911 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY — A former Gladewater high school and Baylor football star died Wednesday morning after his car drove under an 18-wheeler. KETK reports the accident happened around 10:30 a.m. at Loop 323 and Highway 14 in Smith County. DPS names the victim as Tommie Minter, 74, of Austin. According to pro-football-reference.com and databasefootball.com, Minter spent the 1962 season with Denver and Buffalo in the American Football League, appearing in 12 games. Details on how the accident happened weren’t immediately available.

DeSOTO PARISH, La. — A two-vehicle crash in DeSoto Parish, La., killed an East Texas woman late Tuesday afternoon. KETK reports troopers responded to the crash at 4:17 p.m. LA Hwy 765 near its intersection with LA Hwy 764. Troopers say a northbound 2003 Honda Accord driven by Mary Riney, 20, of Frisco, Texas, crossed the center line in a curve and traveled into the path of a southbound 2013 Ford Focus driven by Betty Reynolds, 63, of Carthage, Texas. In an apparent effort to avoid a collision, the Ford veered onto the northbound shoulder and was struck by the Honda. All vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts. Reynolds received fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Carthage Woman Dies in Louisiana Crash

TYLER — Two physicians at UT Health Northeast recently were elected to leadership positions in their respective fields. In addition, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has awarded Education Recognition to UT Health Northeast because of its free series of diabetes education classes offered four times a year. Continue reading More Honors for UT Health Northeast

TROUP– The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance in identifying two suspects in a local burglary that occurred on September 11 at approximately 1:45 a.m. Officials say the suspects broke into Bonner Salvage on Highway 110 North in the Troup area. The suspects first disabled the power to the building and made entry through a rear door. Once inside, they attempted to disable the alarm by removing the control panel from the wall. Officials say once they felt the alarm was disabled, they broke into the office and tried to remove a safe that was bolted down. During that attempt, the alarm sounded and the suspects ran from the building. Continue reading Burglary Suspects Sought

BOSSIER CITY, La. — An armored car company employee from East Texas, arrested in Caddo Parish, La., for allegedly stealing a deposit bag containing $60,000, now faces a similar criminal charge in Bossier City. KETK reports detectives with the Bossier Financial Crimes Task Force arrested Robert S. Posey, 34, of Waskom, Wednesday morning on a charge of felony theft for allegedly stealing two deposit bags containing a combined total of $12,000 in cash. Posey, who allegedly committed the theft while employed with Loomis US, was initially arrested Tuesday by Caddo Parish sheriff’s deputies. Their investigation revealed that Posey had allegedly not only taken a deposit bag of money in their jurisdiction, but also allegedly stole two bags of money in Bossier City. Continue reading Armored Car Company Employee Accused of Stealing Deposit Bags

LONGVIEW — Another feather in Longview’s economic cap. The Longview metro area ranks number 20 nationwide in gross domestic product according to a new survey from the U.S. Commerce Department. Another Texas metro, Midland, earned the top spot nationally. Other Texas metro areas making the top 40 are Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Victoria.

NACOGDOCHES — A Houston man is jailed in Nacogdoches County after police say he forced himself into a home Tuesday morning and assaulted two people inside. KETK reports it happened around 6:30 at a house along Logan Circle. Police say 40-year-old Marvin Tolliver also threatened the victims with a handgun. Authorities say after about an hour of negotiations they managed to talk Tolliver into surrendering.

LONGVIEW — A Longview bus driver has been suspended after kicking 20 middle schoolers off the bus. It happened Friday afternoon. District spokesman Adam Holland says the woman, who had never driven a school bus till this school year, kicked the kids off because she said they were misbehaving. According to Holland, she then told them to get back on, but they wouldn’t. Holland says he can’t comment on personnel matters, but “it’s one of those crimes that in this instance, in the business of transporting children, it’s unforgivable.” He says the kids all walked home — adding that most didn’t live far, but they did have to cross a busy four lane road.

CUNEY — Three robbers attacked liquor store employees as they were leaving work on Tuesday night. KETK reports it happened just before 9:00 p.m. at Arun Rise Liquor Store on Hwy. 175 in Cuney. Cuney Police say three employees were closing the store for the day when they were attacked by three men in the parking lot. One of the men held a gun to a female employee’s face and demanded money. A male employee was knocked to the ground. After taking some of the employees’ personal money, the robbers ran away into a nearby wooded area. Continue reading Cuney Liquor Store Employees Attacked

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man remained jailed Tuesday after police say he used his vehicle to push his wife’s automobile into the residence the couple shared in the 100 block of Cherie Lane. According to the Longview News-Journal, police were called to the home at about 8:00 Saturday night where they were told David Salazar Arias, 31, rammed the vehicle into a bedroom wall where his wife’s children were playing. Police said Arias fled from the scene but wrecked his vehicle a short time later. Arias, police said, admitted to using his car to cause structural damage to the house. He was held Tuesday in the Gregg County Jail on $10,000 bond charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Officials are urging citizens to be extra alert as drought conditions worsen under the current burn ban. Volunteer Fire Departments have battled multiple grass and structure fires since the burn ban was issued in Smith County last month. “Citizens need to be extra cautious as conditions in Smith County remain prime for sudden grass fires,” Smith County Judge Joel Baker said. “Use common sense while staying within the guidelines of the burn ban and watch out for others who may not realize they are creating a fire hazard.” Continue reading Officials Urge Extreme Caution as Burn Ban Continues

TYLER — Builders are moving forward with a big new shopping center on far South Broadway in Tyler, to be called the Village at Cumberland Park. KETK reports it’ll include a movie theater, bowling alley, restaurants, and more — about 100 venues in all. And right across the street, the city will be building a hotel and convention center, which is expected to take about three years to construct. Mayor Barbara Bass is upbeat about the project. She hopes all this will mean overnight guests for eating and shopping. Bass says the hotel project will begin next summer, and the shops are being built right now.

ANDERSON COUNTY — According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found Tuesday on the side of Highway 79 near the Neches River Bridge. The body, which was found around noon, had been there for more than a day, but the exact time frame is unknown. The body was sent for autopsy and officials are looking into every possible cause at this time. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating the situation. Details are limited, but we’ll update information as it becomes available.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County grand jury indicted a Longview woman last Thursday for allegedly driving a vehicle while intoxicated with a child under the age of 15. KETK reports Jabina Janie Martinez, 34, was arrested by Gregg County troopers on June 23 and charged with multiple offenses: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and DWI with a child under the age of 15. She was also charged with a number of other offenses by the Longview Police Department. Continue reading Woman Indicted for DWI with Child Passenger; Also Faces Second Charge

TYLER — The City of Tyler activates the first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon controlled crosswalk in East Texas to enhance the safety of pedestrians crossing at Old Omen to the University of Texas at Tyler. City officials say a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon controlled crosswalk, also known as a High-intensity Activated Crosswalk or “HAWK,” is a special type of hybrid beacon used to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk. It was authorized by the current edition of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Compliance will be enforced by law enforcement officers. Pedestrian hybrid beacon indications are dark (not illuminated) when not in use. Continue reading City of Tyler Implements New Safety Crossing Feature

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man accused of killing his brother earlier this year was indicted for murder last week in a Gregg County courtroom. Jeffrey Allen Miller, 28, appeared in the 188th District Court on Thursday, September 12. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Miller allegedly killed his brother Jeremy Dewayne Miller, 27, on June 24. Gregg County authorities say the victim died at a local hospital at around 3 a.m. after he had been dropped off with a stab wound to his abdomen. Jeffrey Miller was arrested a few days later on June 28 near his home on McQueen Road off FM 1252. Continue reading Kilgore Man Indicted for Allegedly Murdering Brother

LONGVIEW — A woman was jailed early Tuesday after a traffic stop led to the discovery of more than 200 pounds of suspected marijuana. KETK and the Longview News Journal report that according to her booking report, Cynthia Elizabeth Palomo, 34, of Laredo was booked into the Gregg County Jail at about 2:40 a.m. Tuesday. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped Palomo near mile marker 597 on Interstate 20 after he said she was driving in the left lane when not attempting to pass. After stopping Paloma’s vehicle, Trooper Benjamin Rolison reported “a strong odor of raw marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.” Continue reading Big Haul of Suspected Pot Lands Laredo Woman in Gregg County Jail

TYLER — The date has been set for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) block parties in Tyler. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. Last year the City of Tyler had approximately 95 block parties throughout the City to promote the program. It’s time to register your block party by calling the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096 or going to http://www.tylerpolice.com to register online. Continue reading Sign Up Now For Texans Against Crime Block Parties for Tyler

AUSTIN — A committee tasked with investigating a UT System regent for possible impeachment has met again. House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency operations co-chair Dan Flynn of Van says the charge involving Wallace Hall is three-fold. Flynn says the committee must determine if Hall failed to disclose important information on his application for regent that would have materially affected his selection for regent. The group must also decide whether Hall improperly disclosed student information that affected right to privacy and exceeded his statutory authority as regent in requesting information. Hall could become the first non-elected official in Texas to be impeached.

TYLER — Gallery Main Street’s 6×6@110 project has been named a finalist in the Best Promotional Event category of the 2013 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) President’s Awards Program. Since 1998, the Awards Program has recognized more than 150 projects, events and people that make a difference in Texas downtowns. Continue reading 6×6@110 Receives Statewide Recognition

TYLER — Brookshire Grocery Company has made a donation to The University of Texas at Tyler to name the W.T. Brookshire Pharmacy Building. The announcement was made jointly by UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry and BGC President and CEO Rick Rayford. The Brookshire’s board of directors approved the gift to be used toward the construction of the new facility on the UT Tyler campus. The facility will be named for the founder of the grocery company, and it will house the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Continue reading Brookshire Grocery Company Makes Donation to Name UTT Pharmacy Building

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials held their third traffic summit in the last two months last week. This time, according to KETK, they focused on teen drivers and how to better educate them about the importance of staying alert while driving. The summits were prompted by the unusually high rate of traffic fatalities in Rusk County this year. Continue reading Rusk County Holds Another Traffic Summit

JACKSONVILLE — In April, “Yum Yums” burned to the ground leaving a charred scar in the middle of downtown Jacksonville. According to KETK, as the battle over who’s responsible for the clean-up continues, businesses in the area are trying to re-open, but they’ve run into a bit of a problem. A next-door business owner can’t tear down and start over because the her insurance adjustors say the building next door needs to come down. In fact, she was told she has to clean up her business or she will be fined. A public nuisance is what locals in Jacksonville are calling the former Yum Yums building on Main Street. Continue reading Burned Building Still Causing Public Issues

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to drunken driving with two previous convictions. According to the Longview News-Journal, Ricky Muñoz, 28, pleaded guilty as a jury was being selected for his felony trial. He could have faced up to life in prison on the felony driving while intoxicated charge. Muñoz was the driver in a one-vehicle wreck on Jan. 24. No injuries were reported.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A man dies in Nacogdoches County Sunday after he’s hit by a vehicle. KETK reports it happened just after midnight along Highway 259. 21-year old John Wesley Salley of Dallas was walking along the highway when he was hit by an oncoming truck. No charges were filed against the driver.