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TYLER — An East Texas man is taking home a brand new GMC truck after donating to the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala, the big annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. On Thursday the keys were handed over to the winner, Royce Fletcher. He bought $2700 worth of raffle tickets for the truck that was donated by Hall Buick GMC. The dealership chose the blue color in support of the Dallas Cowboys. Blue was also the theme of this year’s gala. Fletcher told our news partner KETK he didn’t expect to win the truck — and was actually more interested in helping out the American Cancer Society.

GILMER — After earlier pleading guilty, 59-year-old Mark Randall Beasley of Diana has received four life sentences and an additional 20 years in an Upshur County child sex case. Beasley was charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. District Attorney Billy Byrd says the victim had been placed with Beasley and his wife following a history of sexual abuse at the hands of her mother and others, including some in Gregg County. Byrd says Beasley began abusing the child when she was just 8 years old and eventually molested her more than 20 times. The judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively — meaning theoretically, Beasley would not be eligible for parole until 2148.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man suspected in a Southeast Texas homicide was found dead of an apparent suicide at his home Thursday evening. According to the Longview News-Journal, Longview police spokesman Sgt. Shane McCarter said officers, including members of Longview SWAT units, converged on a home on America Drive to serve an arrest warrant for Richard Dubreuil, 60. After getting no response, officers gained entry to find Dubreuil deceased. Authorities contacted local police earlier Thursday after learning that the suspect lived in Longview.

OVERTON — Police are investigating after a man in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a Union Pacific train in Overton Thursday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the man was hit by a cargo train at the intersection of West Henderson Street and Commerce Street. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was being held Thursday in the Gregg County Jail in the kidnapping and shooting of an ex-girlfriend who was found dead Tuesday in a Fort Worth neighborhood. Jamie Devon Brown, 38, is facing a capital murder charge with bail set at $150,000. A passing motorist called 911 after spotting the woman’s body in a grassy area next to the eastbound lane of Bellaire Drive at the intersection of Ranch View Road early Tuesday morning. A police report identifies the victim as Kelly Lawson, 36. Lawson died from multiple gunshot wounds.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Lufkin Police arrested the resident of a home that burned down last week and charged him with causing the fire. According to our news partner KETK, Charles Edward Wachal was arrested June 18 on one felony count of arson in connection to a June 14 fire in Lufkin. He was booked into the Angelina County Jail and released Wednesday on a $100,000 bond. Wachal also said he had previously had a fire in his apartment in Houston in 2017 due to what he said was a faulty outlet and electrical wiring. Investigators determined the Lufkin fire was also electrical in nature. Wachal had been treated several times for minor chemical burns over the past 6 or 7 months. Continue reading Lufkin Man Charged with Arson

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent murder/suicide after two men’s bodies were found on Highway 31 East around 9:00 Wednesday night. Sgt. Darrell Coslin says one victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with the other sustaining a single gunshot wound to the head. Autopsies have been ordered. Coslin says the investigation is active and ongoing.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police are investigating after two convenience stores were robbed at gunpoint this past Saturday, apparently by the same people. Clerks described the thieves as three black males with their faces partially covered. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken. Police say they’re not releasing the locations of the stores due to the ongoing investigation. If you have any leads, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at (903) 586-7867 or Detective Sinclair at (903) 586-1380. You may remain anonymous.

LONGVIEW — An arrest warrant details the case of an East Texas woman who police say induced a child under 14 to engage in sexual conduct. According to our news partner KETK, Carrie Songer (Sue) Kelly of Lone Oak was arrested June 12. A police officer from Nebraska contacted Longview police about the case last December in reference to a possible sex trafficking incident. Continued investigation showed Kelly had been evicted from a home in White Oak. The case eventually led to Kelly meeting with an undercover officer later in December. By January, Kelly had been located at the White Oak Independent School District. Following further investigation, Kelly was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail on $200,000 bond.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Wednesday announced its recipients of the 2018 UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Kerrie Anne Ambort-Clark, senior lecturer in management, and Dr. Sean Butler, associate professor of chemistry, will each receive $25,000. UT Tyler officials say that’s in recognition of their superior undergraduate instruction and commitment to student success through teaching. They will be recognized Thursday, Aug. 9 in Austin.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in locating a fugitive. Oscar Lavelle Smith Jr., 26, of Marshall, is wanted on an aggravated assault warrant from an incident June, 18. When officers arrived on the scene they found a victim suffering serious but non -life threatening injuries. The victim was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall for treatment. Smith is described as a black male, about 5’7” and weighs around 155 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969 with any information.

NACOGDOCHES — Members of the Nacogdoches Fire Department have returned home after fighting a massive wildfire in West Texas. According to our news partner KETK, they helped battle the nearly 20,000-acre Scenic Loop Complex Fire in Jeff Davis County. Nacogdoches firefighters put their lives on the line hundreds of miles from home fighting the immense wildfire sparked by a lightning strike on June 5. “Fort Davis requested a strike team and we were just one of the strike teams from the east branch that deployed,” said Chuck French, Nacogdoches Fire Department Battalion Chief. Other departments from the eastern branch represented in Jeff Davis County were Texarkana, Mount Pleasant, Lufkin and Beaumont. Nacogdoches fire served as the “mop-up” crew. Continue reading Nacogdoches Firefighters Return Home from West Texas Wildfire

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man who had just been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list has been arrested. Jack Earl Sterns, Jr. was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Coleman Street in Nacogdoches. According to our news partner KETK, Sterns was affiliated with the Crips gang and was wanted for parole violation, aggravated robbery and evading arrest. Sterns had been wanted since December 2017. His criminal history includes aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, engaging in organized criminal activity, assault, unlawful carrying of a weapon, deadly conduct, evading arrest/detention and drug possession. The arrest was made after a tip was received by Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers.

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas are giving the thumbs-up after President Trump announced his intention to nominate John Garrison as U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas in Tyler. Cornyn pointed to what he termed Garrison’s “28 distinguished years with the U.S. Marshals Service in the Eastern District.” Cornyn says he looks forward to supporting Garrison’s swift confirmation in the Senate. Cruz adds that “Garrison has served the Eastern District of Texas with distinction and professionalism for 28 years” and urges his swift confirmation. Garrison is a retired Judicial Security Inspector for the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District.

TYLER — The Grand Opening is set Thursday for the third location of Hangers of Hope. The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Troup Highway in Tyler, next to Super 1. Hangers of Hope is a thrift store and donation center benefiting Bethesda Health Clinic. All proceeds fund the mission of providing medical and dental care to the working un-insured or under-insured of East Texas. You can go to http://hangersofhope.com for more information.

LONGVIEW — The 2017 City of Longview Water Quality Report is available now for viewing online at http://www.LongviewTexas.gov/WaterQualityReport. If you would like a printed copy of the report, you may call 903-237-1030. According to a news release, the city “utilizes the latest technology to treat your drinking water and this water is tested continuously to ensure high quality.” Officials say the city “is committed to maintaining an adequate raw water supply and for producing potable water at sufficient pressure, volume and quality for our customers.”

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for bank robbery. According to our news partner KETK, Michael Duntae Fagans, 40, pleaded guilty in the 188th District Court in Longview Tuesday to the February 9, 2017, robbery of Austin State Bank in Longview. He waived all rights to appeal as part of his plea. Two other defendants in the case are awaiting sentencing.

KILGORE — Kilgore police are asking for leads in the recent robbery of a local convenience store. According to our news partner KETK, police say around 10 p.m. Sunday, officers were called to the Fast and Easy store on U.S. Highway 259 N. Investigators learned two people entered as a clerk was closing for the night. One of the robbers held the clerk while the second stole cash and cigarettes. One robber was described as a black male with curly hair and a green shirt. The second person was not seen. If you have information, contact Detective Tim Dukes at (903) 218-6904 or Charles.dukes@cityofkilgore.com and refer to case # 1806-1107. You may also contact the Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867) or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+yourtip.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County authorities make an arrest Tuesday morning in a murder solicitation case. Following a week-long investigation, the sheriff’s office arrested Deeanna Aldredge, 23, at her home in Gladewater. Aldredge was booked into the Gregg County Jail without incident and is being held on a $250,000.00 bond, according to officials. Without providing additional details on the case, authorities say this is still an active investigation being aided by the Texas Rangers. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division at (903) 236-8408 — or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER — East Texas Christian Academy President Dr. Michael Weimer announces that Jane Manley will join the school as Assistant Principal in Charge of Academics. Manley comes to ETCA after 17 years at Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School. Manley holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from the University of Dallas, as well as doing additional graduate work in school leadership, according to an ETCA news release. Manley also serves in a voluntary role as College Advisor for Mercy Ships International.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has charged a Louisiana man with murder in connection with a body found following a duplex fire. According to our news partner KETK, police arrested Johnny Len Kellogg (left), 46, for the murder of Johnny Quentin Miller (right), who was killed May 9 on Loring Lane. Kellogg was originally arrested June 16 for an assault on American Legion Blvd. on an unrelated charge under the name of George Purland. The investigation into Miller’s death led investigators to Kellogg, who they say has used multiple aliases. An autopsy showed Miller’s cause of death to be strangulation. Investigators also believe Kellogg took items from the house and set it on fire before leaving in Miller’s van. Kellogg is currently in the Gregg County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

MARSHALL — The family of Kari Hunt Dunn has returned to court, now seeking justice against the parties the family deems responsible for the young mother’s death. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Dunn was fatally stabbed in December 2013 by her husband, Brad Dunn, at Marshall’s Baymont Inn as their 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 911. She couldn’t because she didn’t know she had to dial “9” first. State and national legislation named after Kari Dunn has since been passed to address such problems. Defendants are OM Lodging LLC, the hotel’s then-owner, and Brad Dunn, who is serving a life sentence for Kari’s death. The suit, filed in 2015, claims OM Lodging failed to adequately respond to an emergency, but the company denies responsibility.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD board has voted to table the the issue of changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the board met late into Monday evening to consider the issue. A number of Tyler ISD residents attended the meeting to give public comments on the issue. The question of whether to change the name of the high school named for the Confederate general has been a fraught one in Tyler, with citizens, alumni, students, parents and educators lining up on both sides. The TISD administration had urged the board to resolve the issue at this meeting. The board has until October, when construction on the schools begins, to make a decision on the name. Board members told KETK they would have a decision by the deadline. They said they want community members to continue to leave input into the matter.

TYLER — The man wanted in a Sunday morning hit and run that left an 11-year-old dead has surrendered. Tyler police said Josue Alejandro Prado Ramirez (pictured), 21, Athens, turned himself in to the Henderson County Jail around 7:30 Monday night. A warrant had been issued for Ramirez following the death of Damarion Williams. Williams’ body was discovered in the median of Highway 271 just after 8:00 Sunday morning. Officials believe the boy was walking near the roadway when he was stuck by a vehicle. The victim’s mother had called police to report her son missing around 3:00 Sunday afternoon and investigators determined it was the same person. Witnesses gave information that led to Ramirez. Ramirez was charged with accident involving death. Bond was set at $250,000.

TYLER — The Tyler Innovation Pipeline on East Oakwood Street continues its efforts to help budding entrepreneurs. In partnership with the Tyler Small Business Development Center, it’s hosting a workshop to help small businesses and start-ups learn about sources of capital for all types of businesses. The get-together is set for June 26 at 6 p.m. One feature of the workshop is a complimentary, one-on-one consultation to create a personalized Capital Acquisition Plan. The workshop is free of charge, but space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible. You can check the News tab at http://www.cityoftyler.org/ for more information.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the week of June 18. A new nighttime overlay project got underway Sunday evening on SH 300/Gilmer Road in Longview. Work will be conducted from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights until the project is completed at summer’s end. Districtwide seal coat operations are ongoing in the Tyler District. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during this work to seal and protect roadways from water, and provide a longer life cycle. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/024-2018.html for a complete rundown of projects around the district.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — State Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash Sunday morning that left two people dead. It happened around 6:00 on FM-235 in Cherokee County. Troopers said a GMC Yukon was traveling west at an unsafe speed and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway, over-corrected and rolled several times. Both occupants were ejected. The driver, Uriel Torres, 20, of Cedar Creek, and passenger Jose Arredondo, 22, of Jacksonville, were pronounced dead at the scene. They were not wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — Two East Texas men have been killed in a head-on collision Friday night. It happened around 10:15 on FM 1253 at County Road 455, about 6.5 miles northeast of Van. According to the DPS report, John Hunt, 39, of Big Sandy, was traveling southbound on FM 1235 when he drove onto the wrong side of the roadway. He collided with an oncoming vehicle driven by Timothy Pickens, 55, of Van. Both drivers were killed. The crash remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — Longview police on Saturday identified a 3-year-old who fatally shot herself with a handgun on Thursday as Geneva August. According to the Longview News-Journal, Geneva was pronounced dead about two hours after officers and paramedics responded to a 7:50 p.m. call to the 800 block of Owings Avenue to investigate shots fired. Department spokesman Lt. Shane McCarter said Saturday no charges had been filed in the incident. He said it remains under investigation.

TYLER — After months of often tense discussion, Tyler’s Robert E. Lee High School may have a new name by the end of Monday’s TISD board meeting. The agenda includes two items related to the topic. In an item for discussion only, board members will first hear an update on the costs of such a move. No details are provided yet, with information to be presented at the meeting. Then trustees are due to consider amending the school’s name to Lee High School. Under the heading of “administrative recommendation,” there’s a single sentence: “The administration recommends the board resolve this issue.” The topic was initially removed last month from the June 7 board agenda, but it’s under consideration once more following outcries from those both for and against the change.