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LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department Monday deployed 3 members to assist with the wildfires in California. Those who went were Driver/Operator Carlee Cilk, Driver/Operator Dusty Burks, and Firefighter Chris McGinnis. They will possibly be serving a 14-day tour not counting travel days. If needed, a second three-person crew will be activated to relieve those already deployed, according to a news release.

AUSTIN — The Texas Water Development Board Monday approved $1,550,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the city of Chandler. According to a news release from the development board, the city could save approximately $370,000 by using the revolving fund. Officials say the money will allow the city to make improvements at its wastewater treatment plant and develop an asset management plan.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County murder trial for a Whitehouse man, which had been scheduled for Monday, has been reset for February 4. According to our news partner KETK, Martin Wesley Reynolds, 21, was charged with murder last November in the shooting death of Andrew Carpenter, 19, of Tyler. Carpenter was found shot inside a home on Deerwood Drive and was later pronounced dead. Nathan Garcia, 20, of Whitehouse, was arrested on one count of murder. Colton Wade Tate, 21, was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. James Hunter Ansley, 26, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Daniel Cole Perry, 23, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Ansley and Perry had their charges dismissed. Tate’s trial is slated for December 17.

SMITH COUNTY — A pedestrian is dead in a Sunday Smith County accident. DPS reports troopers responded around 8 p.m. to Hwy. 155 S. near FM 2661 in Smith County. Preliminary information indicated the driver, Aaron-Nicole Rodriquez, 32, of Frankston was traveling on Hwy. 155 when she struck a pedestrian who may have been attempting to remove debris in the roadway. The pedestrian has been identified as Michael Timothy McClure, 65, of Palestine. McClure was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — A two vehicle wreck on Toll 49 left a 9-year-old Arp girl dead, 5 others injured. It happened around 1:00 Sunday afternoon at Toll 49 and FM 2493. According to the DPS report, the driver of a 2017 GM Denali, Valerie Miller, 34, Arp, was traveling west on the toll road when she crossed the center line and hit a Ford Escape head-on. The driver of the Escape, William Pritchard, 29, Tyler, was transported to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. Miller was also transported to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. 9-year-old Leah Miller, who was in Valerie Miller’s vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other girls, ages 10, 8, and 4, were taken to the hospital in serious condition. All occupants were restrained.

JACKSONVILLE — A fire appears to have done extensive damage to the La Quinta Inn on Highway 69 South in Jacksonville. Our news partner KETK reports the fire sparked Monday morning at around 3:00. Crews said they went floor by floor to help evacuate hotel guests. It wasn’t immediately clear how many people had to be evacuated or the damage the fire caused. It was also not immediately clear if the fire was sparked by lightning. But according to a hotel employee, shortly after the hotel lost power, guests came down to say there was a fire at the top of the building. We’ll continue to update this story as more details emerge.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A teen that was passing vehicles in a no-passing zone that killed three people in a crash has now been charged with three counts of manslaughter. According to our news partner, KETK, on October 30, troopers were called Highway 19, just south of Highway 80, in response to a two vehicle wreck. The driver of a truck, Jessie Michael Brown, 19, of Fruitvale, was said to be passing vehicles in a non-passing zone and hit another truck head-on. The driver of the other truck, Connie Wells, 61, of Wills Point, and two young male passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The juveniles were identified as 14-year-old Adam Thomas Tuma and 11-year-old Elijah William Gabriel Tuma, both of Wills Point. Continue reading Teen Driver Involved in Fatal Crash Charged with Manslaughter

TYLER – A Tyler robbery attempt is under investigation. It occurred around 5:15 Friday afternoon at City Fuel at 7205 South Broadway. A man, armed with a knife, came into the business and demanded money. When he was unable to get any money, he left the store on foot. He is described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’8″ with a thin build. He was wearing white pants, gloves and a long sleeve black shirt.

LONGVIEW – A trial date has been set in Longview for a man accused of killing two people five years ago. During a hearing Friday afternoon, a March 18th trial date has been set for 27 year old Kyron Rayshawn Templeton of Longview. A psychologist has determined that he was competent to stand trial. Since the killing,Templeton received psychiatric treatment and underwent another mental evaluation last month. The attacks occurred in November 2013 at then-Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. While at the hospital for his mother’s surgery, he stabbed and killed a nurse and a hospital visitor. Three persons were injured. He is charged with capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault.

WINONA – Thanks to a $200,000 Rural Volunteer Fire Department cost-share grant through Texas A&M Forest Service, the Winona Volunteer Fire Department has a brush truck and tender. The primary use for this new tanker will be carrying water so they can maintain a constant supply when fighting a variety of fires. It also has drafting capability for refilling from a pool or creek. The tanker will help to fill the need in the far north end of the county. The water tank is mounted to a rugged chassis to provide improved access to ranching and farm areas that may have plowed fields or narrow driveways. They got the truck just in time to respond to several emergency calls.

LONGVIEW – Two more Texas Sears stores will be shut down. One is in Longview. It was previously announced the Sears store in Tyler would be closing. Now, with the latest announcement of the closing of 29 Sears and 11 Kmart stores, the Sears store in the Longview Mall is on the list. According to a statement on the company’s web site, the latest locations will close in February with liquidation sales to begin late next week. The latest shutdowns are in addition to the previously announced closure of 142 unprofitable stores, a process that’s expected to be complete near the end of the year.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is in jail after being accused of injuring a child and his mother-in-law. Being held on Bonds totaling $7,500 is Branden Dale Mills, 39. The Longview News Journal reports he was arrested after sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance call on Big Woods Road. He is said to have pushed the woman against the house, injuring her shoulder and forearm. When he tried to leave, the 4 year old girl screamed “you’re hurting me” because he squeezed her so tight in his arms. Mills is charged with assault causes bodily injury family violence and injury to a child.

KILGORE – Kilgore College is warning students to be leery of a rash of social media advertisements that appear to offer an option to “remove all student loans” and promising loan forgiveness. Loan rescue organizations promise assistance to arrange federal student loan forgiveness in exchange for a fee. The college tells students, it is important to know that companies cannot do anything that a student’s federal student loan servicer cannot do free. And the college tells them, under no circumstances should students give their federal student aid IDs to loan rescue companies. Continue reading A Warning for Kilgore College Students

TYLER – Smith County has a new budget analyst. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran has announced the hiring of Paul Feltes to the post. A former analyst for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Feltes most recently did budget and statistical analysis for UT Health East Texas. According to Judge Moran, the primary function of the analyst is to compile, review, examine, analyze and interpret financial data and policies related to the county budget. Feltes said he is looking forward to getting into the details of the budget and operations of each department or office to see where the County can increase efficiencies and save the taxpayers money.

Rusk – A man arrested last month for Cherokee County burglaries is now facing additional charges. Ruben Reyes Jr., 30, of Jacksonville, was first arrested on a warrant for burglary of a habitation. He has since been charged with a total of 9 charges and his bonds total $202,500. His arrest follows theft and burglary reports in September and October in the New Summerfield area. Reyes is said to have committed one of the burglaries with Ruben Lyon Martinez, 25, of Jacksonville. Martinez has also been arrested. Some of the items taken in the burglaries have been recovered and returned to their owners.

TYLER – You are invited to take part in One Night Without a Home to help you understand the plight of the homeless. It starts Friday afternoon with dinner at the Salvation Army in Tyler. Then there is a walk to Fun Forest Park where you will hear from the homeless and spend the night. The next morning you will walk to the Gentry Bridge where you will help feed the homeless. Then it’s a walk back to the Salvation Army. Leave behind your money, watches, food and snacks and no electronics. Event organizers will have cell phones in case of emergency. You can go to
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=us5o8dkab&oeidk=a07eew1ipth202dd3db for more details and how to register for the event.

TURNERTOWN – Two kids have been killed and a man injured in a fire in Rusk County. It happened at a home on Highway 42 near U.S. Highway 64, south of Turnertown, Wednesday afternoon. All three of the injured were taken to a Henderson hospital where the two children, ages 2 and 4, later died. Their father was treated for minor injuries and released. The Texas Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to determine the cause of the fire

LONGVIEW – A psychologist has determined a suspect in a 2013 stabbing attack at a Longview hospital that left two dead is competent to stand trial. The Longview News-Journal reports Kyron Rayshawn Templeton received psychiatric treatment and underwent another mental evaluation last month. Earlier this week he was transferred from a mental health facility to jail in Longview, where he’s charged with capital murder and aggravated assault. Templeton was twice ruled incompetent in the November 2013 attacks at then-Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Templeton was at the center, where his mother was scheduled for surgery, and told an officer he thought “they” were trying to kill her. A nurse and a visitor at the hospital were stabbed to death. Three persons were injured. Templeton’s case is on the docket Friday afternoon to determine if and when a trial will be set.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office is investigating after a shooting at a location between Maydelle and Rusk. According to our news partner KETK, a teenager was shot and killed at a house on CR 2117. Officials confirm two people have been taken in for questioning. Another person of interest is still wanted.

LINDALE – Wednesday marked the first day traffic was permitted on a portion of Toll 49 on what is known as the Lindale relief route. This portion of the toll road runs from Interstate Highway 20 to U.S. Highway 69 north of Lindale. A $68.7 million contract was awarded in March of 2016 to build this segment. The groundbreaking for the project was held 5 months later. The use of the nearly seven mile section of Toll 49 west of Lindale comes earlier than anticipated. It had earlier been announced that the Lindale relief route would open in early 2019. Continue reading Another Portion of Toll 49 is Now Open

AUSTIN – Sales tax allocations to East Texas, as well as the state, continue to be strong. The state comptroller’s office is sending out $817 million in local sales tax allocations for November. This is up nearly 5 1/2% from November of last year. Tyler’s November check tops $3.6 million, over 7 1/2% more than November of last year. To date, Tyler’s sales tax allocations exceed $40 million, up nearly 7%. Longview’s November check is for over $3.1 Million, up over 9%. For the year, Longview has received over $30 million for an increase of over 10%.

WILLS POINT – An investigation is underway concerning a gun that was found at Wills Point High School on Tuesday. A janitor found the gun in a trash can in a boy’s restroom. As he removed a trash bag he noticed a heavy item in the bag. Police officers say the gun in the bag was loaded. The ATF is trying to trace the firearm and the DPS is checking it for fingerprints. They are also checking video surveillance to try and determine who left the gun in the restroom

LONGVIEW – A Smith County prosecutor announced Wednesday she is heading to Gregg County. The Smith County DA’s First Assistant, April Sikes, will be going to the Gregg County DA’s Office as First Assistant. She starts her new position on January 1st. Sikes came to Smith County from Corsicana in 2003. Since then, she has held a variety of positions in the DA’s office. She will be in the office of newly elected Criminal District Attorney Tom Watson. Watson defeated the 10 year incumbent in the primary election and had no opposition in Tuesday’s general election. Watson said he was proud to have Sikes as a member of his team.

GREGG COUNTY — In complete and unofficial returns from Gregg County, three Longview bond propositions have been approved by the voters.

County Commissioner, Pct 4
G. Floyd 1,854
Shannon Brown 3,934

Justice of the Peace, Pct 4
Darrin “Rudy” Rudolph 1,946
Robby R. Cox 3,864 Continue reading Gregg County Election Results

SMITH COUNTY — Complete and unoffiical returns:

Congressman Louie Gohmert has defeated two opponents, receiving over 70% of the vote. He has been elected to his 8th term.
Independent Candidate Neal Katz has conceded in his race to unseat Republican State Representative Matt Schaefer.
Also reelected were County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Cary Nix and Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace James Meredith.

73 of 73 Precincts Reporting and Early Returns
Smith County
United States Senator
Ted Cruz 53,542
Beto O’Rourke 23,036
Neal M. Dikeman 453

United State Representative, District 1
Louie Gohmert 53,760
Shirley Mckellar 21,468
Jeff Callaway 1,282 Continue reading Smith County Election Returns

HALLSVILLE – A disturbing photo caused some concern in the Hallsville school system. According to the Marshall News Messenger, a student received the suspicious photo on their cell phone. The photo, which was sent by Air Drop showed a screenshot that read “Fights at 12:48.” It came from an unidentified number that referred to themselves as, “School Shooter.” In a call to parents, school principal Lindsay Slaten said an “investigation determined there was no imminent danger to students,” who remained in class and there was no lockdown.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a woman in connection with a current investigation. She is Lisa Hayley, 40. Hayley, who also is known as Lisa Loggins, is wanted for questioning in relation to a theft of property investigation. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact Tyler police or the sheriff’s office. If you have recently purchased any items from her, or have any information regarding the Theft investigation, contact Detective Lugo at 903-590-2846.

TYLER – Tyler schools will be getting some new principals on Wednesday. TISD and the Tyler Area Business Education Council is hosting it’s 5th annual Principal for a Day event. Local business and civic leaders will serve as guest principals for the day. The guest principals will get a behind-the-scenes look at the local school system. They will shadow the principal, meet with students and faculty, attend student assemblies, and take part in other activities that make up the school day. They will all meet for lunch at the district’s Career and Technology Center where the district’s culinary arts students will cater and serve the meal.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are looking for a jewelry store burglar. He was caught on security camera footage burglarizing the jewelry store on Grand Avenue on Halloween. If you have information, you can contact Marshall/Harrison County Crimestoppers or Marshall police detectives at 903-935-4542 in reference to case number 2018-29917.