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CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD Superintendent Dr. Donni Cook announces her retirement, which will be effective June 30th, 2018. She’s been with Chapel Hill for 26 years and is in her 8th year as the district’s superintendent. The search is now on for her replacement.

HARRISON COUNTY — A predawn crash closed westbound lanes on I-20 near Hallsville for nearly 13 hours before the lanes were reopened around 4:00 Tuesday afternoon. Troopers responded around 3:10 Tuesday morning to the two-vehicle crash in Harrison County near the 603 mile marker. Preliminary crash investigation shows that the driver of a truck-tractor semi-trailer lost control and overturned the truck and trailer, blocking the roadway. Another truck-tractor semi-trailer traveling westbound was unable to avoid colliding with the overturned vehicle. Both drivers were taken to Good Shepherd in Marshall, conditions unknown.

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Congressman Jeb Hensarling of Texas has become the latest Republican House member to announce his retirement. Hensarling, who chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee, tells fellow Republicans in an email Tuesday that as his term as chairman comes to an end, it’s the right time to leave Congress and spend more time with his teenage kids. He writes that although he will not be running for re-election, there are 14 months left in his term to continue the fight for the causes for which he remains passionate. Hensarling has served the 5th congressional district since 2003.The district covers Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Kaufman, and Van Zandt counties.

TYLER – Don’t be surprised if you see a Tyler policeman with a beard in November, even though beards have not been allowed. Police Chief Jimmy Toler has authorized all sworn officers, who wish to support the United Way with a minimum donation of $25.00, to wear a groomed beard, with restrictions, for the month of November only. The department is not a stranger to donating to the United Way. The department received the Community Champion Award given by United Way for the past nine years in a row. Employees of the police department have given over $62,000 over the past three years.

AUSTIN – The Texas Water Development Board has approved financial assistance for the Craft-Turney Water Supply Corporation in Cherokee County. The $1,625,000 will be used to finance planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with a water system improvement project. Improvements to the system include a new water well, two high-service pumps at a new pump station, and a new 100,000-gallon ground storage tank.

ATHENS – A traffic stop in Athens has led to the arrest of four persons on a variety of charges. Sheriff’s deputies tried to stop the car for driving recklessly, but it fled. When it finally stopped, the driver, Levi Gad Lebleu, 36, of Athens, fled. He was chased down by a deputy while another deputy detained three passengers in the car. Also arrested were Anthony Michael Lebleu, 37, of Athens, Sara Irene Peasner, 26, of Athens and Derek Lee Payton, 27, of Athens.

TYLER – Former Texas House member Ted Kamel of Tyler has announced he will be running for the District 6 post now held by representative Matt Schaefer, in the March Republican primary. Kamel made the official announcement Monday night. He held the post for four terms, from 1991 to 1999. He Lost to Leo Berman in 1998. Kamel listed his top five reasons for running for the position. One is creating a medical school within the U-T System in Smith County. Two is pushing for term limits. Third is expanding the Texas education code to athletic events where our flags are honored. Fourth, mental health issues will be a top priority. And fifth,he wants to bring a track record of effective leadership back to Austin. He also said he wants to bring town hall meetings back to the district.

GREGG COUNTY — A 20-year-old Henderson man is accused of assaulting a 14-year-old boy last week at a Longview home. According to the Longview News-Journal, Sergio Ari Roldan was in the Gregg County Jail on charges including sexual assault of a child, evading arrest and detention, and traffic warrants. His bond was set at $125,000. Roldan is also being held on an INS detainer. Investigators said the boy told his mother about Roldan’s assault. He was arrested October 27. According to Gregg County Jail records, Roldan has three previous arrests for driving while intoxicated.

TYLER – A man remains in a Tyler hospital after being tasered while trying to flee Smith County deputies. Sheriff Larry Smith says the condition of DeAndre Demarcus Foster, 33, of Tyler, continues to improve. His vehicle was stopped for an expired vehicle registration Friday afternoon on Highway 64 West. When he pulled from his pants’ pocket a clear plastic baggie containing suspected illegal controlled substance, deputies started to arrest him. When he started to run away, a deputy used a Taser on him. He fell to the ground but got up and started to run again and a Taser was used on him again. As deputies tried to place handcuffs on Foster, he continued to resist and was tased a third time. Sheriff Smith said in a news release, “due to the immediate danger and continued resistance by Foster, two drive stuns were performed with the Taser. Deputies were then able to handcuff Foster.” When he started convulsions, EMS was called and he was taken to the hospital.

MARSHALL – Marshall’s new police chief has taken his oath of office. The swearing in ceremony for Cliff Carruth was held Monday afternoon at the Marshall Police Department. He replaces Ron Davis, who was hired in May as Interim Police Chief. Chief Curruth has a total of 26 years of experience in law enforcement, six of those were as a police officer with the Longview Police Department. He recently retired from the FBI where he was the Senior Supervisory Resident Agent at the Little Rock Division. Carruth is a graduate of Longview’s LeTourneau University as well as the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore and the FBI Academy.

TYLER – State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola has been honored as a “Champion for Long Term Care.” He received the award Monday afternoon 30 in a ceremony at Tyler’s Providence Park Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center. The Texas Health Care Association presented him the award for his efforts to improve long term care in Texas during the 85th regular session of the Texas Legislature.

TYLER – It looks like it will a cold and wet night for trick or treating in the area Tuesday night. For those who do venture out, Tyler police want to make sure it is a safe time for youngsters. Some simple precautions will make sure the evening is an enjoyable one for the trick or treaters. Children should not accept, and especially not eat, anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Parents, inspect the wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious. Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity. Continue reading Halloween Safety Tips

TYLER – A new director of public safety at Tyler Junior College is now on the job. Brent Chambers started his new duties Monday. Chambers retired from the FBI this month. Since 2010, he had served as supervisory senior resident agent for the East Texas resident agencies where he oversaw all FBI investigations and operations across 30 counties and offices including Lufkin, Texarkana and Tyler. In 2009, he was named Federal Agent of the Year by the North Texas Crime Commission.

WINONA – A two vehicle accident near Winona over the weekend has killed one person and left two injured. The accident occurred on State Highway 155 shortly before 1:15 Sunday afternoon. Dead at the scene was Nikisha Brooks, 34, of Gulfport, Mississippi. Her vehicle collided head on with an SUV driven by Christopher Suttle, 37, of Flint. Suttle and a passenger, Tara Suttle, 38, of Flint, were both taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment. The Department of Public Safety says the accident occurred when Brooks’ southbound vehicle crossed over to the northbound lane of traffic.

HOUSTON (AP/STAFF) – A Smith County woman on death row for the slaying of her baby sitter, has lost her appeal before the u.S. Supreme Court. The high court, without comment, refused to review the case of Kimberly Cargill, 50, of Whitehouse. She was convicted in Smith County in 2012 of the the asphyxiation death of Cherry Walker, 39. She testified during her trial that Walker, who was developmentally disabled, had a seizure while she was driving her home. She claimed she panicked and didn’t act rationally. Walker’s body was found along along a Smith County Road when it had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire.

SMITH COUNTY — A Houston man is set to go on trial Monday for a July 2016 murder in Tyler. According to KETK, Jared Wilson, 32, of Houston, was charged in the death of Thomas Wilson, 49, of Lindale. Tyler police received a report of shots fired at the Royal Inn Suites, WNW Loop 323, where they found the victim with a gunshot wound.He was later pronounced dead. The altercation which led to the shooting took place in the motel’s parking lot. Police said the Thomas’ niece was involved in a dispute with Jared. When Thomas arrived at the scene to give his niece some keys, Jared pulled a gun and shot him, according to law enforcement. Officers were searching the area for Jared who ran from the scene. He was taken into custody near Anderson County after DPS located his vehicle. Jared remains jailed on $500,000 bond.

TYLER — A Tyler man is set to go on trial today for alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child under age 14. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records indicate Larry Darnyl Dews, 46, is accused of crimes that occurred in June 2015. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on November 17, 2015, where he remains on $500,000 bond.

WOOD COUNTY — An 18-year old has died after he lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road. According to the Department of Public Safety, it happened around 7:15 Sunday morning on Highway 154, around 9 miles outside of Quitman. DPS Troopers say Stephen Love was driving east when he lost control of his Chevy Camero and ran off the road into a wooded area. He died at the scene of the crash. Love was a senior at Quitman High School. The school released the following statement on Facebook: “Quitman ISD is saddened by the loss of one our students. Stephen Love will be missed by his classmates, teachers, coaches, and all that knew him. The district would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends.”

LONGVIEW — Beginning Monday, Center Street in Longview will be closed between Methvin and Whaley. The intersections of Methvin and Whaley will remain open. You’re asked to use caution while work is being completed. This street work is part of the 2011 Street Bond Fund. This project consists of reconstructing Center Street from Cotton to Whaley with curb and gutter, upgraded drainage inlets, sidewalks, signs, and water and sewer improvements. If you have any questions related to construction, you’re asked to call the city’s project manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

TYLER – TxDOT has issued its summary of work planned in the Tyler District during the week of Oct. 30. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. You can go to http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/053-2017.html for a complete rundown. In a slight modification, note that in the Gregg County section of the link, once complete, a hot mix overlay operation moves to FM 2275 between FM 1845 and FM 3272.

AUSTIN – In a safety enhancement effort, the Texas Transportation Commission has approved more than $44 million for 46 bicycle and pedestrian projects, including several in East Texas. The Tyler Bikestripe project will add 56 miles of bike lanes to existing wide roadways throughout the city. City officials note that the project “is a key component of [the regional trail] system.” The Guthrie Creek Shared Use Path project in Longview will complete two gap sections within the Guthrie Creek Trail system. The concrete path will include pedestrian bridges and underpasses, crosswalks, warning signs, benches, shade trees, and trash receptacles. The Meadows and Knight Street Sidewalks project in Winnsboro will construct 6-foot-wide sidewalks along Meadows/Martha Drives and Knight Street and through a future city park.

GREGG COUNTY — Authorities say a man wanted on a homicide charge in Mississippi has been captured after tossing a stolen gun from his car during a Gregg County traffic stop. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report a DPS trooper arrested 34-year-old Jreymarcius Jreymaine Reason of Natchez, Mississippi, Wednesday on a charge of evading arrest. On Friday, a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm was added, setting Reason’s bond at $500,000 after law enforcement learned of the Mississippi case. Authorities say the trooper tried to stop Reason’s vehicle on I-20 but Reason continued to drive. He eventually pulled into a gas station after leaving the freeway and was arrested. The trooper said he noticed in surveillance video that Reason tossed something from his vehicle and a search found a .38 revolver in a grassy median.

LONGVIEW — An Overton man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for shooting up a house on Raney Street in Longview and injuring two people in August 2016. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Traymon Davis, 26, had been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Davis must serve half his sentence before he will be eligible for parole. A shooting victim told police that at least two people with guns had been outside the house and tried to get him to leave his house. One of the people outside started shooting up the home. Davis was arrested in a separate incident the following day during a traffic stop, with police finding shell casings in the car that matched those found at the crime scene.

BRYAN — A trial date has been set for an East Texas man charged with the brutal murder of six people at an Anderson County campsite. According to KETK and the Palestine Herald-Press, the trial for William Mitchell Hudson is scheduled to begin Wednesday at the Brazos County Courthouse. Hudson is accused of murdering Kade Johnson, 6; Karl Johnson, 76; Hannah Johnson, 40; Thomas Kamp, 46; Nathan Kamp, 23; and Austin Kamp, 21, at a Tennessee Colony campsite in November 2015. Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell will seek the death penalty. Continue reading Trial Set in East Texas Campsite Murders

ATHENS — A 28-year-old-woman faces multiple charges after being arrested Friday morning in the Bonita Point subdivision, just east of Gun Barrel City. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, it all began with a call regarding a suspicious vehicle. Hillhouse says responding officers found Eardley inside the vehicle at an abandoned residence. Eardley was found to have outstanding arrest warrants out of Kaufman County for possession of a controlled substance, speeding, and violating a promise to appear in court. While Eardley was being arrested for the warrants, Hillhouse says she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Eardley remained at the Henderson County Jail on $21,000 bond for the warrants, along with charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

PALESTINE – A former Anderson County commissioner is among four arrested in a Palestine park. KETK reports Randy Watkins, 68, Montalba, was arrested on October 6 for indecent exposure. The four were arrested by Palestine police for indecent exposure and public lewdness stemming from actions at a city park. The investigation started from complaints received by the city’s Community Services department at Upper and Lower Lake Park. Throughout the month, detectives investigated the area and obtained evidence on several men using the park for lewd acts. The investigation is still ongoing and additional arrests may occur. Continue reading Former Anderson County Commissioner among Those Arrested in Palestine Park

TYLER – A Smith County constable has started serving his time in a federal prison. Shortly before 2:00 Friday afternoon. Precinct 1 Constable Henry Jackson was booked into the federal prison at Seagoville. He pleaded guilty to four counts of willful failure to file a federal income tax return and was sentenced to six months in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution of over $160,000. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran sent Jackson a two-page letter asking him to resign. He also repeated the request in a face to face meeting. Jackson has refused.

TULSA, Okla. (AP/STAFF) – A federal judge has denied motions to dismiss a civil fraud lawsuit against an Oklahoma emergency medical services company and a Texas contractor. The Tulsa World reports a U.S. District Judge has rejected requests for dismissals by the Emergency Medical Services Authority, its former CEO, Texas contractor Paramedics Plus and others named in the case. The lawsuit filed in January claims that Paramedics Plus and its parent company, East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, entered into a $20 million kickback scheme to obtain and keep a profitable public ambulance services contract awarded by the authority and its director. It claims the “pay to play” scheme violates anti-kickback statutes and the False Claims Act. Company officials say they “fundamentally disagree with the allegations” in the lawsuit and believe the claims are unsupported.

The 14th national prescription drug take back day is today. There is a site in Tyler to help you get rid of old medications. The Medication Cleanout Event is being hosted by the Tyler Police Department and the Broadway Square Mall. It will be set up from 10:00 till 2:00 in the mall parking lot on the northeast side of J.C. Penney. You just drive up and drop off your unused and expired medications for safe disposal without getting out of your vehicle. The event is free with no questions asked. Continue reading Take Back Drug Day in Tyler