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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.

ANDERSON COUNTY — A female inmate was found dead inside the Anderson County Jail on Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, a white female, age 50, died of an apparent medical condition. An autopsy has been ordered. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office requested an independent investigation by Texas Rangers.

TYLER — Smith County authorities say 34-year-old Sean Waite of Murchison is jailed on a murder charge and more after leading deputies on a motorcycle chase Thursday night. Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Darrell Coslin says Waite was being pursued by Tyler police on Highway 31 West towards Toll 49 when deputies picked up the chase. Coslin says Waite and 28-year-old passenger Alicia Ann Adams were ejected after the motorcycle crashed at the intersection of Highway 31 West and FM 2661. According to Coslin, Waite was captured after a short foot chase, but Adams was pronounced dead at the scene. Bond for Waite is $961,000 on charges of murder, evading arrest, theft of property, and Credit card abuse out of Denton County.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College and Texas College entered into an articulation agreement Friday in McKinney Hall Connector at Texas College, with a goal of strengthening the collaboration between both institutions. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke pointed out that TJC has historically partnered with Texas College for over 50 years. Metke says he’s pleased to strengthen those partnerships by providing TJC students with a completely seamless transfer to TC. Metke said TJC students can now complete their baccalaureate programs at another well-established college in Tyler. Continue reading TJC, Texas College Sign Articulation Agreement

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested four suspects in an assault case at the Stone Creek Apartments on Hollytree Drive. Officer Don Martin says police responded around 1:20 Friday morning to multiple shots fired in the parking lot near the pool. They found that no one was struck but that a vehicle and two apartment buildings were hit by the gunfire. Officers also recovered an AR-15 and pistol at the scene. Officers were told a security guard was trying to break up an assault by two females against a third female. A large group had gathered in the area. The guard ran for cover behind a vehicle after being threatened by two men with guns. Martin says several shots were then fired by the men in the direction of the guard who had taken cover behind the vehicle that was struck by gunfire. Continue reading Tyler Police Investigate Assaults at Apartment Complex

MARSHALL — Residents now have a safe way to dispose of their leftover prescription drugs, a new initiative by the Marshall Police Department to help combat the opioid crisis and other prescription drug abuse. The department’s new drop box was provided by The Piney Woods Substance Abuse Coalition, a program of Next Step Community Solutions. The program is funded by a grant from Health and Human Services of Texas. The drop box is in the lobby of the police department and is available to the public 24/7, no questions asked. Any pills or sealed patches can be accepted at the drop box. Needles or other sharps, thermometers, ointments, lotions, liquids, inhalers, and aerosols are not accepted. Officials will hold a Monday news conference to unveil the drop box and answer any questions the public or media may have.

TYLER — Habitat for Humanity of Smith County announces the start of a new north side housing development in Tyler. Six homes will make up the new neighborhood on N. Tenneha and W. 25th Street. This is the fifth development Habitat has built on the north side in the past ten years. Walls on the first home will be raised on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Funds to build the first two houses in the development were provided by Lin and Sandra Barker, an anonymous donor, and the Junior League of Tyler. The future homeowners will help build their own homes and other homes in the housing development to fulfill their “sweat equity” requirement, then purchase their homes from Habitat with a 30-year mortgage.

TYLER — The Smith County Road and Bridge Department announced Friday morning it could not receive or make any calls for the time being, due to cable lines being accidentally cut by a construction crew late Thursday afternoon. Officials said Suddenlink had a crew out at the facility, working on replacing or repairing the lines. County Engineer Frank Davis said although the department could not receive any phone calls or emails, its radios are working to receive any emergency calls that come in through dispatch. Road and Bridge crews were also out working in the field Friday. If you have an emergency requiring immediate response from the Road and Bridge Department, call 9-1-1. Davis said the public would be notified when communications are back up. Check http://www.smith-county.com/ for any updates.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Foundation awarded five Habenicht grants to programs and departments at the college. Grants were awarded to Adult Education & Literacy (AEL), $6,000; Automotive Technology, $6,000; Computer Information & Technology, $6,000; the Kilgore Testing Center, $5,000; and Athletic Training, $1,250. The AEL program will use the grant funds to support its Intensive College Readiness Program. Automotive Technology will purchase a late-model/modern vehicle for instructional purposes. Computer Information & Technology will use its funds to pay for Cisco Academy instructor training. The Kilgore Testing Center will purchase five new computers for its computer lab. Athletic Training will use its funds to buy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

LONGVIEW – Two women have been arrested in a Wednesday afternoon shooting incident at Longview’s Broughton Park. Arriving officers say they discovered numerous people at the park to watch a fight. Police say there were multiple shots fired but no one claimed to have been injured. Several of those involved left the park before police arrived. Police say they determined 28-year-old Latosha Allen of Longview had shot in the direction of 20-year-old Khadijah Rashae Jenkins, also of Longview. During the disturbance, Jenkins rammed multiple cars in the parking lot, placing others in fear of serious bodily injury, according to police. Both women were jailed for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department has accepted a grant of over $20,000 from the governor’s office to improve Regional Command Trailer communications. Tyler Fire’s communications trailer is designated as a regional asset and will be deployed when requested by the state. Fire Chief David Coble says the focus will be disasters and emergencies. In a statement, Coble says, “The better we can communicate with each other and other agencies, the better we can serve our community in any emergency.”

TYLER — Tyler’s City Council has approved spending almost $2.8 million for drainage and wastewater treatment plant improvements. One target is the Courtney Miller Drainage project, on the Half Cent Sales Tax project list for more than 20 years. Officials say the effort will address erosion and flooding issues across seventeen properties in southeastern Tyler. The city hopes to have the project done in about a year. The other effort seeks to improve operations at the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.

SMITH COUNTY — A Texas regulatory agency has recommended Smith County Constable Henry Jackson have his peace officer licenses suspended for 10 years. Jackson is appealing the decision. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) alerted Jackson to the pending suspension in May. TCOLE Government Relations Director Gretchen Grigsby confirmed the appeal. The appeal will be heard by an administrative law judge who will make a recommendation to TCOLE commissioners. Jackson holds a reserve officer license and peace officer license. Both have been placed on a hold. In April, the constable finished serving a 6-month sentence in federal prison for four counts of willful failure to file federal income tax returns.

TYLER – Tyler ISD Board President Fritz Hager announced Wednesday a board agenda item will be added to discuss the possibility of changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School. The agenda item was requested by Board Vice President Wade Washmon. The discussion is to consider changing the school’s name to only Lee High School. The next School Board meeting will take place Monday. The move comes after a group of East Texans started an online petition to keep the current name. According to our news partner KETK, petitioners say the school district’s focus needs to be on education and keeping children safe at school. Last month, the TISD Board pulled the name change topic from a June meeting agenda. Last week, a parent group wrote postcards in hopes of getting the school’s name changed.

TYLER — Smith County officials say 28-year-old Jared Monk has been arrested for sexual assault of a child. Sgt. Darrell Coslin says the sheriff’s office was contacted May 16 by Child Protective Services after a 14-year-old female accused Monk of the assault. Coslin says during an interview this week, Monk admitted to the assault and said he knew the girl was 14. Coslin says before Monk was arrested, he made threats to harm himself and family members. Coslin says due to the imminent threat, detectives immediately identified Monk’s location at an apartment complex in Tyler and arrested him. Bond is $750,000.

TYLER — Another suspect is arrested in the recent Smith County murder of 43-year-old Heath Bearden. Officials say 56-year-old Dwayne Welch tried to destroy evidence after the murder had occurred. He’s charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony. Bond was set at $150,000. 40-year-old Larry Cowart of Tyler remains jailed in last Saturday’s shooting death. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies were initially sent to County Road 1145 on Saturday but later found the victim during a Tyler traffic stop. Bearden was dead on arrival of EMS. Cowart remains in jail as the investigation continues.

ARP — The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Arp Police Department are seeking the public’s help in locating a teenager who went missing just over a year ago. According to our news partner KETK, Tarah Cunningham was last seen in Arp on June 9, 2017. At the time, Cunningham was identified as being 5’3″, weighing 125 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes, with her date of birth listed as August 8, 2000. If you have any information on Cunningham’s whereabouts, contact the NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678, the Arp Police Department at 903-566-6600, or your local law enforcement agency.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is taking new security measures after an inmate escaped from jail earlier this month. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Gary Lynn Gorman (pictured) had outside clearance and escaped while taking out the trash. We’re told he initiated his escape from a side door and that once outside, he hugged the wall to hide from security cameras. He was re-captured by police and brought back to the jail. Authorities say it’s the first escape they’ve seen. Officials say they’re making improvements to their surveillance and monitoring system in addition to a new three-step process for inmates entering or exiting the jail.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University is launching a fully online program for registered nurses already working in the health care field to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, in as little as 12 months. University officials say the online format is cohort-based and runs year-round with seven-week courses. They say it will fit within the schedule of a working professional and will give an edge in the job market. According to a news release, the degree prepares students in critical thinking and communication training that are key for preparing for leadership positions in a variety of settings, including hospitals, homecare situations, case management, and ambulatory care.

WINNSBORO — Three people have been arrested in East Texas after over 50 vehicles were vandalized by BB gun shots in Mesquite. Police say from June 3 through 8, someone was driving past vehicles and shooting out their windows. Other damage was also sustained. Mesquite police say in all 55 cars were vandalized. Through video evidence from the various offenses, police arrested three people, who were found in Winnsboro in Wood County. All three suspects were charged with one count of theft and one count of criminal mischief each. A juvenile was also involved but has not been arrested as of yet. GArland has 23 similar incidents involving BB guns and windows. No word on if these suspects are connected.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police are investigating a shooting at a motel. According to our news partner KETK, police received a call around 10:30 Tuesday night reporting shots fired at the Motel 6 on South Access Road. A disturbance between a tenant at the motel and another party who was not staying there resulted in gunfire. No injuries reported and no arrests have been made.

GLADEWATER – The Gladewater Police Department is investigating a break-in and vandalism at a local baseball park. According to our news partner KETK, earlier this month, thieves broke into the Gladewater-Union Grove Dixie Baseball Association’s concession stand and stole numerous items. An organizer says a reward is being offered. Community members have donated snacks and water to help replace some of the stolen goods. If you have any information on this case, please contact the Gladewater Police Department at 903-845-2166.

LONGVIEW – The East Texas Angel Network is asking for the public’s help after one of its donation boxes was stolen. According to our news partner KETK, the organization was established by country music star Neal McCoy in 1995 to support the families of children with severe medical needs. The donation box was swiped from Kyle’s Kwik Stop – Nanny Goats on Judson Road in Longview. If you have any information regarding this crime, contact the East Texas Angel Network or the Longview Police Department.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday began a two-and-a-half -day membership drive featuring over 100 volunteers. Organizers call it a high-energy event that features fun while building the membership base. They say when others hear about everything the Chamber does, it generates a great deal of enthusiasm and support. The event will conclude at noon Thursday, with a Celebration Party at Rick’s on The Square beginning at 5:21 p.m. For more information on how you can be involved, call the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at 903-592-1661.

LONGVIEW — Spring Hill ISD trustees talked about safety in their schools Monday. Due to the recent school incidents across the country, they discussed different approaches to ensure the security and the government’s plan to institute more safety in schools. They also voted to add a K-9 unit for a drug free zone. Superintendent Steven Snell told our news partner KETK, “We’re looking for ways to improve our campus safety, limit access to our building, and just give our parents and students some peace of mind that we are doing everything it takes to keep the students safe.” Trustees said price will not be a factor and they will do everything they can to keep their students safe.