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MONROE, LA. (AP/STAFF) — A northeast Louisiana prosecutor says he’s dismissing the ticket issued to a Terrell, Texas teenager who apparently fell asleep at the wheel, causing a wreck that killed five members of his family.

District Attorney Jerry Jones tells The News-Star that the 16-year-old has been punished enough, and there’s no need to add to his pain. KNOE-TV reports that Jones has dismissed the misdemeanor ticket for careless driving. State police say the sport utility vehicle veered off Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish near Calhoun and flipped, ejecting six of the eight occupants. Three children and two adults were pronounced dead on the scene. The eight people were a blended family traveling to Disney World for a Thanksgiving vacation. Continue reading DA to Dismiss Ticket in Wreck that Killed Family

BULLARD – A wood frame home in Bullard has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 3:30 Sunday morning on County Road 150. The home was being remodeled and no one was at home when the fire started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

PALESTINE – Palestine police are looking for the man that robbed a convenience store. The robbery occurred shortly before 9:45 Saturday night at the Chanel Stop and Go, 1907 West Oak Street. The suspect pointed a small handgun at the store’s clerk and then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported. The suspect was described as a black male about 5’9” with a thin build. He was said to have been wearing gray sweat pants and a gray hooded top. One witness said he was wearing some type of Halloween mask.

EAST TEXAS — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the next two weeks: Officials remind drivers that many area roadways have high traffic volumes and that only increases during the holiday season. TxDOT is reminding motorists to slow down, put away the cell phones and pay attention when traveling through work zones so that everyone can safely reach their destinations. Continue reading TXDOT Projects This Week in East Texas

WINONA — Multiple Smith County fire crews responded to then scene of a massive structure fire in Winona. The fire sparked at a former elementary school in the 600 block of Dallas Street. According to KETK, a man who was living near the building smelled smoke early Sunday morning. It’s not known what sparked the blaze. The building was reportedly destroyed. One firefighter was injured while battling the fire. He was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries. Crews from Winona, Hawkins, Jackson Heights, and Dixie Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

HAWKINS — The Department of Public Safety has released the names of the two people found shot to death in Hawkins on Wednesday afternoon. Jean Dark, DPS spokeswoman, said the two are identified as Shannon McNabb, 67, and Daniel Lee Faulk, 60. According to Mayor William Rogers, Hawkins police responded Thursday afternoon to the scene in the 100 block of Estelle Street after a home health care worker couldn’t get anyone to answer the door. Officials found that the couple and three dogs dead had been fatally shot. The door was reportedly unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry or theft. The bodies were sent to Dallas for autopsy.

MOUNT ENTERPRISE — Motorists traveling US 259 Highway near Mount Enterprise this morning are advised to use caution. TxDOT will be providing traffic control during recovery operations starting at 8:00am Saturday for an overturned truck that lost its load in a ditch earlier on Friday. The incident occurred in the southbound lanes of US 259 about two miles south of Mount Enterprise. During recovery operations, southbound traffic will be moved to the northbound inside lanes. That means the northbound lanes will carry two-way traffic until the operation is complete. The recovery will include the use of wrecker and crane services to remove the oversized load from the ditch. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution when traveling through the area.

GILMER — A trial date has been set in the case of a man charged with capital murder in a September 2013 shooting death that occurred at a Gilmer sub-varsity football game. According to the Longview News-Journal, the judge set a Feb. 3 trial date for Jonathan Ray Shepherd, who was arrested in connection with the Sept. 26 shooting death of 29-year-old Cheyenne Green. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Feb. 2. The decision came during a hearing Friday in which Shepherd, 33, was seeking to have his $1 million bond reduced and in which he was requesting a change of venue for his trial. The judge denied both requests. Continue reading Trial Date Set for Gilmer Murder Suspect

TYLER Quick work by the Smith County Sheriffs Department has resulted in the arrest of two robbery suspects. Taken into custody early Friday morning was Jacob Lee Roper, 20, of Tyler and Jacobi TyWan Washington, 21, of Tyler. The two have been charged with aggravated robbery and burglary. Their bonds total $120,000 each. Continue reading Smith County Robbery Suspects Arrested

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville police are looking for the man who held up CJ’s Quickstop, located at 613A East Rusk Street. It happened shortly after 7:30 Thursday night. The man took, showed the clerk a handgun, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled. A “large-bodied” maroon car was seen near the gas station about the time of the robbery. That matches the description of a car used in the robbery of the Rite Track #7 gas station on November 15th. The investigation into the robberies is continuing.

GILMER – A trial date has been set for early next year for a man charged with capital murder in a September shooting death that occurred at a Gilmer 8th grade football game. State District Judge Lauren Parish on Friday set Jonathan Ray Shepherd’s trial date for February 3rd. The date was set after the judge denied motions to reduce his bail and to move the trial from Upshur County. He is accused of the September 26 shooting death of Cheyenne Green, 29. Shepherd is said to have shot his son’s mother at point-blank range. A couple of hours after the shooting, Shepherd surrendered to authorities at the Upshur County Jail. Investigators say its appears as if the shooting followed an argument about parental rights. The couple shared custody of their two year old son.

TYLER — After a 38-year career in community college education and administration, Tyler Junior College Provost Dr. Homer “Butch” Hayes will retire in early 2015. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke made the announcement to TJC faculty and staff this week and bestowed Hayes with the title of “provost emeritus.” “The title of ‘emeritus’ is only given to a person of outstanding merit,” Metke said, “and it is most appropriate to recognize Dr. Hayes in this way, for his many outstanding contributions to Tyler Junior College.” For now, Metke said, there is no plan to initiate a search to replace Hayes. Instead, day-to-day operations in the academic affairs office will be transferred to Dr. Juan Mejia, TJC vice president of student affairs. In January, a transition period will begin and Hayes will begin transferring his provost duties to Mejia, who will become acting provost and assume duties of both academic and student affairs. Hayes will officially leave his post in March 2015. Continue reading Hayes to Retire as Provost Emeritus at TJC

MINNEAPOLIS (AP/STAFF) — Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson has a date for his hearing with the NFL. The league has announced the Peterson will be able to appeal his suspension on December 2 with longtime hearing officer Harold Henderson. Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to decide whether to hear the appeal by himself or appoint someone else. Goodell suspended the Minnesota running back for the rest of the season earlier this week after Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.

NEW ORLEANS (AP/STAFF) — Michael and Trudi Hardman had always talked about taking their six children to Disney World, and just a week before Thanksgiving, it seemed their “dream trip” was to be a reality. But just a little more than three hours after they left Terrell Wednesday night, their SUV veered off a highway and rolled over in Louisiana, killing the couple and three of the kids. Police believe the couple’s 16-year-old son apparently fell asleep behind the wheel. State police spokesman Michael Reichardt says the driver was cited with careless operation, which is a misdemeanor. Continue reading Five Family Members Killed On ‘Dream Trip’ to Disney

HAWKINS — The Texas Rangers are investigating two bodies that were found at a Hawkins home. According to Mayor William Rogers, Hawkins police responded Thursday afternoon to the scene in the 100 block of Estelle Street after a home health care worker couldn’t get anyone to answer the door. Officials found two people, both in their 60s, and three dogs dead. The door was reportedly unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry or theft. Identities have not been released. The bodies have been sent to Dallas for autopsy. Continue reading Bodies Found in Hawkins Home; Texas Rangers Investigating

LONGVIEW – A man charged in a Longview shooting death 19 months ago has been sentenced to life in prison. Cedric Bernard Carldwell, 45, plead guilty last month. Yesterday afternoon, Carldwell was sentenced by 124th District Judge Alfonso. The murder charge was enhanced by a 1991 felony conviction on a prohibited weapon charge. He was arrested in April 2013 in the shooting death of Huey Lee “Bull” Gray. The shooting is said to have followed an argument in the 800 block of Walnut Street near Stamper Park. Carldwell is well known by authorities. Since 1987, he has been arrested over a dozen times in Gregg County.

QUITMAN – A third person has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two Quitman toddlers this summer. Dalton Lee German, 22, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, has been arrested on charges of injury to a child. He was arrested in Arkansas where he remains in jail. Authorities tell KETK, German is a friend of the girl’s mother, Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels. She was charged earlier this week with capital murder in the case. Another man, Thomas Liles, 19, of Quitman, has also been charged in the case. He was charged this week with injury to a child.

TYLER — Think it’s your lucky day when you get a “government” call saying you’ve been chosen for a grant? After receiving numerous calls this week, BBB Serving Central East Texas is warning consumers about a scam in which someone claiming to be “the government” calls and says you won a grant … if you send them money.

Consumers are getting phone calls telling them they received a grant from “the government,” and they may spend the funds however they want. But in order to get the grant, the caller asks you to buy a Green Dot MoneyPak card and load it with money. They request the numbers off the back of the card, and then they take your money. Consumers don’t get any grant money, and they lose their own money in the process. Continue reading Warning about Fake Federal Government Scams

MARSHALL — A judge has set the bond for a Marshall man accused of shooting another person on Wednesday. KETK reports Judge Mike Smith set Devonte Xavier Benjamin’s bond at $35,000 for each charge. He was booked into jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm in a weapons free zone. Marshall PD spokeswoman Sonya Johnson stated 911 received a call reporting gunfire at about 3:41 p.m. When police responded to the scene, located at the corner of Carters Ferry and Billups, they found a man with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County grand jury has declined to return indictments against three officers involved in the shooting of Justin Aguilar on March 9, 2014. According to KETK, the grand jury’s decision means that under Texas law no criminal charges will be filed. According to the autopsy report, the teenage robbery suspect was shot five times by police and had marijuana in his system. The autopsy for Aguilar, 15, was returned in June and was released by authorities last month. The Forest Park Middle School student was a suspect in the attempted robbery of the New-Way convenience store in the 1300 block of South Green Street in Longview March 9th. He was shot in a standoff with officers. Continue reading Grand Jury Declines to Indict Officers in Teen’s Shooting

CHANDLER — Authorities are warning of scam artists preying on East Texans in the Chandler area. According to KETK, city of Chandler officials say several men claiming to be from a roofing company are knocking on doors and asking to check the homeowner’s roof and attic for problems. The con artists then lie to the owners about their house. Police stated the elderly are their main target. The scammers have been known to be driving a red Chevrolet extended cab truck with paper tags, according to authorities. You’re asked to call the Chandler Police Department at 903-849-2181 if you see or talk to such individuals.

AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board has disciplined 39 physicians at its November meeting. Two are from this area. They are Tyler physician Dr. Lloyd Faust Mercer Jr., who was cited for violating the board of rules. And disciplinary action was taken against Dr. Teri Lynne Baumgartner of Athens for quality of care. Continue reading Area Physicians Disciplined by State Board

KILGORE — The Kyle City Council has selected Kilgore City Manager Scott Sellers as the next Kyle City Manager. The selection was made official with a 7-0 vote after an executive session during the regular city council meeting on late Tuesday night. Sellers will be the City of Kyle’s third full time city manager, succeeding Lanny Lambert who resigned as Kyle City Manager in October to take the same position in Converse, Texas. Continue reading Kilgore City Manager Moving to Kyle

TYLER – Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford delivered a State of the District update Wednesday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Willowbrook Country Club. Dr. Crawford spoke on topics such as District successes, the Strategic Plan, fiscal accountability, student achievement, extra and cocurricular activities, community engagement, future plans and projects, upcoming challenges and opportunities, and the construction progress for BOND 2013 projects.“I am so pleased with the accomplishments the District has made this year,” Dr. Crawford said. “We have plans in place to continue this progress while also addressing the areas needing improvement that will help our students continue to succeed.” Continue reading TISD Superintendent Discusses “State of District” at Chamber Luncheon

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested two adults and one juvenile in connection to an aggravated robbery that occurred November 13 at the Abby Apartments, 4917 Thistle. The suspects are identified as Darrius Montrall Jones, 18; Jeremy Scott Watts, 19 (pictured); and a 15-year-old juvenile. The two adults charged with aggravated robbery are in custody and remain in Smith County Jail on $750,000 bond. The juvenile was placed in the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Continue reading Three Arrested in Abby Apartments Robbery

KILGORE — A Longview man was taken into custody Monday night in the parking lot of a Kilgore business after he was allegedly found high on meth. According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department says 911 received reports of a man jumping on cars and acting erratically at the local Brookshire’s. The man reportedly claimed someone was trying to get him. Police say that when officers arrived at the location, they found Aaron Scott Lucas, 24, hiding in a bunker made out of trash cans. He reportedly told police snipers were trying to shoot people in the parking lot. After coaxing Lucas from his bunker, the suspect admitted to using methamphetamines two hours before the incident, according to authorities. He was arrested and charged with public intoxication and possession of marijuana. Lucas was booked into the Gregg County Jail. His bail was set at $25,000.

QUITMAN — A second person has been arrested in connection with the death of two East Texas toddlers. KETK reports Thomas Liles, 19, of Quitman, turned himself into the Quitman Police Department Wednesday morning. Liles was detained and arrested for two counts of injury to a child. Bond was set at $1,000,000, $500,000 for each count. Liles recently waived his arraignment on a charge of tampering with evidence. Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of her daughters, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. According to the autopsy, the girls died from blunt force trauma to the head. McDaniels now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Continue reading Man Arrested in Connection with Deaths of Quitman Toddlers

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – The state’s highest criminal court has denied an appeal from a Whitehouse woman on death row for the slaying of her developmentally disabled baby sitter more than four years ago. Kimberly Cargill was condemned for the death of 39-year-old Cherry Walker. Evidence showed Cargill killed Walker in June 2010 to keep her from testifying against Cargill at a custody hearing involving Cargill’s 4-year-old child. Walker’s body was found on the side of a rural Smith County road. It had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday rejected claims that Cargill’s 2012 trial in Tyler was compromised by multiple errors. The 47-year-old Cargill is among seven women on Texas death row. She does not have an execution date.

TYLER – Smith County-based John Soules Foods announced Wednesday that it has completed the acquisition of Pro View Foods, a processor of ready-to cook and fully-cooked chicken products based in Gainesville, Ga. According to a news release, Pro View Foods will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Soules Foods and will continue to operate out of Gainesville, Ga., under the Pro View Foods name. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Continue reading John Soules Foods Acquires Pro View Foods