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MARSHALL — Hollywood superstar Denzel Washington will be honored at Wiley College in Marshall this weekend. The academy award winner helped put the historically black college on the map in 2007 when he portrayed Melvin Tolson in the movie “The Great Debaters.” Washington will be recognized Saturday during the awards ceremony capping the nation’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities Speech and Debate Tournament Championship, currently underway. Prairie View A&M and Wiley are among 18 schools taking part.

KILGORE — New details have been released on a Kilgore College Police Academy instructor who was fired after a female cadet says she was targeted. KETK reports that according to emails and witness statements, she says the instructor used excessive force during a training exercise, causing a rib injury. She also said she felt targeted in one of his classes because of her gender. He was fired in October.

HENDERSON COUNTY — East Texas officials have arrested the suspect wanted in a bloody attack. Henderson County Deputies were responding to a reported assault at a home south of Chandler Tuesday night when they found two victims bloody and beaten. Marc Anthony Allison, Jr., 29, was arrested this morning in Montgomery County, near Houston. Allison reportedly attacked the pair with a galvanized steel pipe. A steel ratchet wrench was also found at the scene. The girlfriend was treated and released. The brother remains in the hospital.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for two aggravated robbery suspects. Officers said a man was waiting for an Uber ride outside of Schlotzskys on Loop 323 around 10:00 last night when he was approached by two Hispanic males wearing gray hoodies. The victim said the men demanded his property then beat him with a metal pipe until he lost consciousness. The victim sustained injuries to his face and head that required immediate medical attention but did not appear life threatening. The suspects are still on the loose.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – The Smith County district attorney and one of the candidates to replace him are reacting to an internal audit of the DA’s Office. The document shows nine prosecutors violated policy related to the dismissal or reduction of charges. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports that the audit shows 30 percent of the nearly 675 cases in which charges were dismissed or reduced were done in violation of office policy during the past five years. District Attorney Matt Bingham says prosecutor Jacob Putman tallied the highest number, dismissing or reducing nearly 80 cases without getting the proper signatures on court paperwork. Putman and Alicia Barkley are vying for the DA’s post after Bingham announced he won’t be running for re-election. Continue reading Reaction from DA, Candidate following Audit

ATHENS – According to judicial records, an East Texas mother accused of shooting and killing her two daughters has been indicted. According to KETK, the records show Sarah Nicole Henderson, 29, of Mabank, was indicted for capital murder of a person under 10 years old and assault of a public servant. Last November, Henderson County deputies received a call for assistance regarding a possible suicidal female at a residence outside of Payne Springs. Although EMS cancelled the call for assistance, deputies arrived at the residence seven minutes later, around 11:45 p.m. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says a male and female told deputies they were fine and no one was in danger. Continue reading Woman Indicted in Death of Two Daughters

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the investment of $43,364 for repairs at Southside Park. In May of 2017, a fire damaged the restroom facility, leaving it inoperable for park goers. A construction contract has been awarded to Caspian Construction Company to make the repairs.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council authorized Tyler Transit to award a contract for $119,400 with The Chariot Bus Lines that will offer transportation service from Athens, Murchison, Brownsboro, and Chandler to the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and on to Tyler’s Cotton Belt Bus Depot. Those areas were previously not served on Tyler’s fixed route service. This shuttle makes three round trips per day Monday through Friday connecting with Tyler Transit. Council also approved the bid of a $120,000 contract with NDMJ Transportation for a shuttle service to UT Health Northeast. Both of these projects are federally funded with the City of Tyler acting as the fiscal agent.

TYLER — The UT Health Northeast M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is now in business, serving about 100 patients a day with much-improved care, according to UT Health President Dr. Kirk Calhoun. Announced last year, Calhoun says the effort began about four years ago when officials recognized that about half the patients in Northeast Texas left the community to seek advanced cancer care. Calhoun says that’ll no longer be necessary. A dedication of the new facility was held Wednesday. Calhoun says the new partnership will reduce cancer rates and improve outcomes.

SMITH COUNTY — Night work continues on the FM 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. The westbound lanes of I-20 will be closed for the installation of bridge deck panels from 7:00 tonight till 6:00 Friday morning. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays.

GREGG COUNTY — Authorities have identified the driver and passenger involved in a chase where DPS troopers collided with a suspect vehicle. According to KETK, Aaron Wade Slagle, 37, of Tyler, was driving the vehicle and Kalie Erin Kinlaw, 35, of Kilgore, was a passenger. It started around 5:00 Tuesday evening when a DPS trooper tried to stop a car for a traffic violation near Fritz Swanson Road and Goforth Road in Gregg County. When the driver did not stop, the trooper followed the vehicle through several turns before the driver and two DPS patrol cars collided almost 20 minutes later near FM 1252 and CR 3104. The driver and passenger of the vehicle had outstanding warrants and were taken to a Longview medical center with injuries that were not life-threatening. Slagle was wanted out of Marion and Dallas Counties. Kinlaw was wanted in Gregg County. Both suspects were booked into the Gregg County Jail on their outstanding warrants as well as a felony charge of evading by Slagle. No troopers were injured in the crash.

TYLER — The Tyler Innovation Pipeline recently received a statewide award for Best Public Improvement in the 2017 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) President’s Awards Program. Winners were announced during the President’s Awards Gala in November, held in conjunction with the 2017 Texas Downtown Conference. The award was presented at Wednesday’s City Council Meeting. According to city officials, the Pipeline brings together those working to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The brick and mortar location is in a renovated facility on East Oakwood Street across from the old Cotton Belt Depot.

EAST TEXAS — A National Weather Service survey team said Tuesday that damage caused in severe weather Sunday night in Winnsboro was from strong winds and not a tornado. According to KETK, multiple buildings received significant damage, and four families were displaced. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The storm had wind gusts up to 75 mph according to the official survey release.

GILMER — 19-year-old Xavier Mumphrey of Kilgore has pleaded guilty to an Upshur County murder and received a 47-year prison sentence. Mumphrey, said to have been the lone shooter, is one of four people charged in the March 2017 murder of Kendrick Jackson. One defendant, Decorian Robbins, is serving a 40-year sentence; two others, Devontay Hunter and Alize McFall, still have charges pending. Officials say on the night of the murder, all four defendants went to the victim’s home to acquire marijuana. According to a news release from the DA’s office, after the shooting, the defendants fled from the scene and returned to Lone Star, where they proceeded to divide the stolen marijuana amongst them.

TYLER — The Smith County District Attorney’s Office has released an audit saying there have been multiple incorrect dismissals and reductions at the hands of several assistant district attorneys, including a current candidate for the soon-to-be district attorney vacancy. According to KETK, the audit shows Jacob Putman filed several incorrect dismissals and reductions in cases, including a felony case, after a jury had already convicted the defendant. According to an internal report from the DA’s Office, Putman had the largest number of incorrect dismissals and reductions by an attorney in the office from 2013-2017. Putman has already been under fire for cutting a plea deal with a man later accused of murdering a DPS trooper last Thanksgiving. In a brief statement, Putman says, “I will evaluate the information that was presented and make a statement about it at the appropriate time.”

HENDERSON COUNTY — TxDOT has opened the new westbound lanes of U.S. 175 between Larue and Poynor in Henderson County. This is one of three U.S. 175 expansion Projects currently underway. Anticipated completion date for the project is this March. The completion of the new westbound lanes at this location moves traffic into a divided highway configuration with a depressed median. Work now begins on the eastbound lanes with the inside lane closed to allow the contractor to place a final seal coat and conduct paving operations. The same work will be conducted on the eastbound outside lane before opening the roadway to traffic. The speed limit will increase to 60 mph throughout the construction corridor. Continue reading Westbound Lanes Open on Part of U.S. 175

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department will be conducting its second Enhanced Community Outreach Program on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Police will be going door to door introducing themselves and reaching out to citizens to ask what they can do for them. Police say the program is one of many community police programs aimed at becoming closer to the community and addressing problems that residents may have in their specific neighborhoods. Continue reading Tyler Police Department Enhanced Community Outreach Program

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD Trustees have named Lamond Dean as the lone finalist for the district’s superintendent position. Dean was named interim superintendent last November. School officials say further notice to the public of this new designation for at least 21 days before final action is taken on the position will be posted. Dean says he’s honored by the selection. He’s a 1991 graduate of Chapel Hill High School and played on the 1989 Bulldog state championship football team. He replaces Dr. Donni Cook, who is serving as emeritus superintendent until June.

RUSK COUNTY – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after vandals destroyed the wiring for a local phone service. According to KETK, the RCSO says unknown people entered the Eastex Telephone Cooperative Exchange Tuesday and destroyed the wiring for all 903-889 (Pine Hill area) service, including cell service. Officials say 911 service is also down for this area. If you need to get in touch with emergency services, the RCSO says residents will have to drive until they get cell service to dial 911. The RCSO says it could take up to 10 days to restore service to this area. If you have any information on this crime, call the RCSO at 903-657-3581 or Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-8477.

AUSTIN – A Tyler resident claimed a second-tier Powerball prize worth $2 million for the drawing held last Oct. 18. According to a news release, the ticket was purchased at Polk 11 in Nacogdoches. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. The Quick Pick ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (30-49-54-66-69), but not the red Powerball number (8). Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 69 numbers and one Powerball number from a field of 26 numbers. Drawings occur each Wednesday and Saturday at 10:12 p.m. CT.

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of murdering his high school teacher more than 8 years ago has been recommitted to a mental health facility for another year. According to KETK, Byron Truvia, 24, was set to go before a judge on Monday for a mental status evaluation. On September 23, 2009, while a student at John Tyler High School, Truvia allegedly fatally stabbed special education teacher Todd Henry inside a classroom. Truvia was 16-years-old at the time. Truvia is currently in the North Texas State Hospital. He was not in court during Monday’s hearing.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A man and woman have been arrested following a traffic stop near Eustace. According to the Henderson County Sheriff, Bobby Ratliff, 42, and Kimberly Revels, 42, were taken into custody Monday night after deputies discovered meth, a digital scale and other items commonly used to sell illegal drugs. Ratliff was charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and taken to the Henderson County Jail. Revels was wanted on an active warrant for possession of a controlled substance. During the arrest, she was also found to be in possession of several pills, which resulted in new charges of possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — A suspect is sought following the armed robbery of a Tyler gas station. It happened around 9:30 Monday night at the Food Fast on Front Street. The clerk told officers that a white man with blonde hair entered the store, covered his face and pulled a knife on the clerk. He left the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported. The suspect was said to be around 6′ tall and close to 30-years-old, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans.

TYLER — Tyler announces a new safe driving effort: “Drive Like Your Family Lives Here.” According to a news release, in 2015, the largest increase in traffic accident fatalities in more than 50 years occurred in the United States. Now the City of Tyler and the Tyler Police Department are joining together in the public education campaign to address unsafe driving behaviors. Continue reading Motorists Asked to “Drive Like Your Family Lives Here”

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police are seeking leads in an armed robbery around 7:30 Sunday morning at Food Fast on East Larissa Street. The suspect is said to be a white male, about 5’8″, with a medium stocky build. He was wearing an unknown color long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, a red ball cap, and a red bandana over his face. Armed with a knife about a foot long, he demanded money from the register and made off with some $80 to $90. The clerk followed the thief as he ran away. He apparently entered what’s believed to be a white Nissan Maxima and was last seen traveling south on Bolton Street. Police say there is no reliable video of the incident. You’re asked to call JPD at (903) 586-2546 with any information.

HARRISON COUNTY — New details are released after a 61-year-old Army veteran was shot and killed during an altercation with a Harrison County deputy. It happened when a sister of the man, described as mentally ill, called authorities for a welfare check. The man began swinging on the officer, who both Tasered and dry-Tasered him with no result. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jay Webb says the “officer was then knocked down, and as the fight ensued, the…officer fired the weapon.” The officer was attacked as soon as he entered the home and suffered minor injuries. The Texas Rangers are investigating. Arthur McAfee was pronounced dead at a Longview-area hospital.

HIDEAWAY — Drivers should take note of a closure on I-20, with traffic moving to the ramps during night work on the FM 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. Eastbound I-20 will be shut down from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. tonight for the installation of bridge deck panels. The bridge was heavily damaged during a recent accident. TxDOT urges you to exercise caution in the area or seek an alternate route.

TYLER — After nearly 10 years of serving the children of Smith County as the AgriLife Extension Agent of 4-H and Youth Development, Sarah Brod is transferring to another county. Officials say Mrs. Brod recently married and now lives in Franklin County with her husband and daughter. Opting for a shorter commute, she is taking a job there as the Franklin County Extension Agent of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “I have truly enjoyed working in Smith County,” Mrs. Brod said in a news release. Her last day in Smith County was January 19.

HARRISON COUNTY — 23-year-old Ronnie Joe Martin of Deberry has died in a Harrison County accident. Troopers responded around 1 p.m. Saturday to FM 9, 4.6 miles south of Waskom. Preliminary investigation revealed that Martin was traveling north at an unsafe speed for the curve in the roadway. The vehicle traveled onto the east right of way, overcorrected to the left, and slid sideways across the roadway, where it struck numerous trees and became engulfed in flames. The vehicle came to rest wedged between the trees facing northwest. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.

SMITH COUNTY — The Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate an accident that took the life of a pedestrian Friday night — and officials have now identified the driver. Troopers responded around 7:15 to SH 31, about half a mile west Tyler. Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, identified as Amanda Elaine Williams, 26, of Tyler, was traveling east in the inside lane when she struckShanita Lashanda Johnson, 36, of Tyler. Johnson (pictured) was trying to cross the roadway from the south side to the north. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams was not injured.