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LONGVIEW — A Longview man is being held in the Gregg County Jail after police say he pulled out a gun and aimed it at a car on Jaycee Drive. According to the Longview News-Journal, Bobby Ray Manns, 34, is held on bonds totaling $26,000. He’s been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a Rusk County charge of possession of marijuana. Longview police said two people were driving Saturday on Jaycee Drive when Manns pulled out in front of them. When they attempted to pass Manns’ vehicle, he pointed a gun at them. He was stopped a short time later. Inside the front seat of the vehicle, police found a loaded black .45-caliber handgun.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman has won on the TV game show Jeopardy and she appears on Tuesday’s show as the returning champion. Angela Ward won $11,800 on Monday’s show. According to the Longview News Journal, Ward is a former reporter for the paper. They report that about 18 months ago, she performed an online audition, which is a timed test. Based on that score, she was invited to a live audition in Oklahoma City. Her appearance on the show was filmed in Burbank, California in April. On Tuesday’s show she will be going up against Betsy Knudson of Salt Lake City, Utah and Farhad Mahmoudi of Encinitas, California.

TYLER — If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for duty on Tuesday, it’s your lucky day. Smith County residents who were planning to report for jury duty Tuesday with their yellow cards don’t have to make the trip to the county courthouse. No new panels will be needed on Tuesday, Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett said. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.

LONGVIEW – Two east Texas programs are in the running for a state-wide award. The Texas Downtown Association has announced Tyler and Longview are finalist for the TDA President’s Awards program. It’s for the Best Promotional Event in the over 50,000 population category. In the running is Tyler’s Toast to Downtown Tyler, a monthly happy hour showcasing local bars, restaurants, and coffee shops in the Downtown area. For Longview, it’s Downtown Live, a free concert series at Heritage Plaza. Winners will be announced on November 8 at the President’s Awards Gala held in conjunction with the 2017 Texas Downtown Conference in McKinney. Continue reading Tyler and Longview in Line for a State Wide Award

TYLER – Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton has been indicted by the Smith County grand jury. The indictment, which charges Hampton with one count of injury to an elderly person, was returned on September 7th. The incident is said to have occurred on Sunday, April 2, at the Spring Creek Baptist Church on County Road 46. A woman told sheriff’s deputies Hampton entered her closed door meeting with the pastor and started shouting at her. She said Hampton pushed her, causing her to fall and to injure her wrist. The woman was treated and released at a Tyler hospital. Hampton surrendered to Authorities on April 24, and released on a $10,000 bond.

TYLER — The Art of Peace continues in Tyler through September 24. The annual event, now in its seventh year, kicked off Friday night and features a variety of events and activities. According to the its website, “The aim of Art of Peace is to promote a spirit of creativity, compassion and community through partnerships, fellowship, dialogue, social action, music, poetry, and art.” You can go to https://www.tylerpeace.com/ to learn more.

TYLER — A proposed name change for Robert E. Lee High School is on the Tyler ISD board’s agenda for tonight as a discussion item. The proposal drew a large crowd to a school board meeting last month, with strong feelings expressed on both sides of the issue. There’s been plenty of attention nationwide this summer to things that bear the names of Confederate figures. Tonight’s meeting begins at 7:00 at the Plyler Complex on Glenwood Boulevard.

SMITH COUNTY — One person is dead following an early morning crash in Smith County. The one vehicle wreck happened around 1:00 Sunday morning on FM 346, 2 miles east of Whitehouse. According to the Department of Public Safety report, the driver of a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis, identified as Paul Lee Hawthorne, 31, of Dallas, was traveling west on FM 346 when he lost control and struck a tree. Hawthorne was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, identified Zytrinka Doyle, 23, of Mabelvale, Arkansas was transported to East Texas Medical Center in serious condition.

SMITH COUNTY — One man has been taken to the hospital in critical condition following a shooting Sunday at Eagle Creek Ranch, off Highway 271. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the victim, a black male, suffered a life threatening gunshot wound. Deputies responded to the location around 1:00 following a 911 call. The victim was found in a wooded area, along with his vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an undisclosed location to be processed. The investigation is ongoing.

EAST TEXAS — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of September 18, 2017. 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. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of September 18

LONGVIEW — A Foster Middle School student who officials said brought a loaded handgun to school has been taken into custody on a directive to apprehend, according to the Longview News-Journal. The student is facing a charge of places weapons prohibited, a felony. The student’s identity is not being released because of his or her age. A Foster staff member found a loaded .380 pistol Tuesday hidden in a bathroom. The district said Tuesday that no other students or staff were in the bathroom, and there were no direct threats made. Parents were notified of the incident through a mass recorded call. Parents are now planning a meeting with the school’s principal to discuss security. This incident is the second known gun-related incident at the campus this calendar year.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a missing person. Paul L. Prince was last seen on foot on South High Street in Longview near the Mobberly intersection around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Prince may be suffering from a medical condition. He may have ties to Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Prince is white, 55 years of age, approximately 6 feet tall, and weighs about 160 lbs. He is balding on top with shoulder length blond hair on the sides and has hazel eyes. There is no photo or clothing description of Prince at this time. Anyone with information Prince is asked to contact local law enforcement immediately.

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested in a knifepoint robbery in Tyler. After being called by a witness, police responded shortly after noon Friday to City Park on West Queen Street. They were told a man had walked up to a woman, placed a box cutter to her throat, and stolen her cell phone and bicycle. Police soon found 25-year-old Graylin Scott Slocum of Louisiana nearby; he was jailed on a charge of aggravated robbery. The woman was not harmed.

TYLER — A Tulsa, Oklahoma, man is in critical condition after he was hit by a vehicle Friday morning just before 6:30 on Highway 271 North near Loop 323 in Tyler. According to a news release, police determined that a pickup was traveling northbound in the outside lane. 27-year-old Eric Feuerborn was walking southbound on the shoulder of the same lane. He stepped out in front of the vehicle as it approached. The driver of the vehicle was not found at fault.

TYLER — The Texas Department of State Health Services advised Tyler Animal Services Thursday that a bat found near the corner of Charnwood and Chilton tested positive for rabies. City officials say the known individuals and animals with possible exposure have been identified and addressed. Authorities remind you it is critical for people not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. It is important for children to tell their parents of any contact with wild animals or any sick animals. Anyone who knows of a person being bitten by an animal must report the bite incident to the Local Rabies Control Authority for proper investigation. Continue reading Rabies Advisory in Tyler

LONGVIEW — A Gilmer woman has been found incompetent to stand trial on charges stemming from an October wreck in Warren City that sent her two young boys and two others to the hospital. 33-year-old Tenia Michelle Rose has been ordered to undergo treatment with the goal of attaining competency. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Rose, who’s jailed in Gregg County, faces four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Rose’s children, boys ages 7 and 8, were taken to a Dallas hospital for treatment — one with a fractured skull and another with broken vertebrae and internal bleeding. Two people in the other car suffered broken bones.

LONGVIEW — Longview police and Longview ISD continue to conduct an investigation into a gun found at Foster Middle School. KETK reports the loaded gun was found Tuesday by a staff member in a bathroom. That same afternoon parents were notified of the incident through a mass recorded call. Parents are now planning a meeting with the school’s principal to discuss security. This incident is the second known gun-related incident at the campus this calendar year.

LONGVIEW — Longview City Manager David Willard announced during Thursday’s City Council meeting that he plans to retire at the end of 2017. Willard has served in the post since June 2007. In a news release, Willard says he’s “humbled to have served alongside wonderful city employees” and “proud of the work that has been accomplished even in the midst of significant economic recession.” Mayor Andy Mack says he “can’t say enough wonderful things” about Willard and his leadership. The City Council will begin discussing the process for filling the city manager position at its meeting on September 28.

TYLER — An East Texas couple will spend decades behind bars for sexually assaulting children. According to KETK, Johnny Crocker, 57, and Angela Crocker, 42, both of Whitehouse, entered a guilty on Thursday. The husband, a former law enforcement officer, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on each of five counts of aggravated sexual assault. The sentences will be served concurrently. Continue reading Whitehouse Couple Sentenced to Prison

TYLER — More information has been released on Sunday’s theft of 78 cellphones from Sam’s Club in Tyler, with the loss estimated at $43,000. Police Officer Don Martin says the thieves had loaded a mattress and merchandise on a flat cart to shield them while they cut the lock off a storage shelf unit to gain access to the phones. The suspects are four females and one male. It is believed that the females stuffed the merchandise into compartments inside their dresses to walk out the door undetected. The suspects were observed by video getting into a small dark SUV and leaving the scene. Sam’s has relocated the storage units to prevent this from occurring again. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

LONGVIEW — East Texas Regional Airport has been notified by American Airlines that Sunday, November 19, through Tuesday, November 28, a third flight will be added to better serve Thanksgiving holiday travel. The holiday schedule will provide an early morning departure, a midday roundtrip, a late afternoon roundtrip, and a late evening arrival to and from Dallas-Fort Worth. Airport Director Roy Miller says there’s an opportunity for American to extend the service if demand justifies it. Travelers should check with American reservations, their travel agent, or travel website to take advantage of the new schedule.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police need your help finding two suspects believed to be involved in an August 27 hit and run in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Estes Parkway around 6:45 a.m. According to KETK, police were told the driver of a white truck, possibly a GMC or Chevrolet, clipped the shopping cart corral with the truck. Video surveillance footage shows the truck dragging the shopping cart corral through the parking lot until it finally falls off and the driver flees the scene. The suspects are pictured in a surveillance photo at left. Anyone with information should contact Officer Mike Grisham at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867 and reference case number 17-13386.

TYLER — More information was issued Wednesday following the announcement of a big merger announced earlier in the day. ETMC will partner with Ardent Health Services and The University of Texas System. With that merger they are hoping to expand by bringing in more job opportunities and better education. The partnership will invest $150 million for improvements over five years and provide other resources to support the operation. Ardent will assume majority ownership and day-to-day operations of the new system. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. This past February, ETMC leadership began the search for a strategic partner to assist the organization.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been arrested for DWI after a wreck Wednesday night. According to KETK, Quincy Ilya Gips, 22, was said to be traveling at a high rate of speed when he attempted to turn left on Rieck Road from Broadway. He lost control of the vehicle and struck a light pole, knocking out electricity to surrounding businesses. Gips was booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council adopted its 2017-18 budget Wednesday and increased the tax rate of 23 cents to 24 cents per $100 valuation. The city is currently projecting to be $867,572 below budgeted sales tax revenues for the General Fund, with two months remaining in the fiscal year. The city has maintained a hiring freeze on General Fund positions since the spring of 2016, as well as deferred replacement and maintenance on city equipment, to balance the current budget. The City Council has approved the increase of fees for many departments, including the Parks and Recreation Department. In the Parks Department, fee increases will be seen in the athletic field rental rates and elsewhere.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD authorities say they’ve identified the student who brought a loaded gun to Foster Middle School on Tuesday. According to KETK, school officials say no threat was made to any student or faculty member by the student. The .380 pistol was discovered in a bathroom by a staff member and reported to law enforcement immediately, according to LISD. There were no other students or staff in the bathroom when the gun was located. The student faces expulsion for up to a year for bringing a gun onto campus. The juvenile will also be facing criminal prosecution by the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office. The district said it will pursue punishment to the fullest extent.

TYLER – All activities of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at The University of Texas at Tyler have temporarily been suspended amid allegations of hazing. According to KETK, Justin Angotti, the fraternity’s assistant executive director for prevention & accountability, says, “Pi Kappa Phi recently received a report of alleged hazing by members of our Theta Pi Chapter at the University of Texas at Tyler. The Fraternity takes all allegations of hazing seriously and is working with the university to investigate the report. Chapter operations have been temporarily suspended during the investigation.” Lucas Roebuck, the vice president of marketing at UTT, released a statement saying in part that the university “is committed to student safety. All reports of impropriety by any student organization are taken seriously.” But he added, “The university does not comment on specific ongoing investigations.” We’ll have more on this story as it develops.

TYLER – For the first time in its history, The University of Texas at Tyler now enrolls more than 10,000 students, based on preliminary enrollment numbers for the Fall 2017 semester. As of the 12th class day, the university has 10,527 students on record. That includes the Longview University Center enrollment of 285 students, up from the 210 recorded last fall. UT Tyler President Dr. Michael Tidwell says UTT combines the best of a UT System education with a student-focused community. He also called the caliber of incoming students “impressive.” UT Tyler is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in the state, growing an average of eight percent annually since 2011.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH, Louisiana — A man wanted for armed robbery in Longview was arrested by Natchitoches Parish, La., deputies during a traffic stop on I-49 near Natchitoches on Saturday afternoon, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones. KETK reports MaCailyn V. Wilder, 21, of Hallsville, remains jailed in Natchitoches Parish pending extradition proceedings. Jones adds Wilder was driving 102 MPH in a 75 MPH zone — on a suspended license. Deputies say Wilder was traveling from Alexandria to Hallsville. The vehicle was impounded by a local wrecker service.