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ATHENS – An after-midnight stop at a Seven Points game room ended with a wanted woman behind bars for possession of methamphetamine and a glass pipe, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Wednesday. Tanya Lee Akers, 33, of Kemp, was arrested by Deputy William Thornton around 1:30 a.m. after she left the game room. Akers is also being held on an outstanding Class C midemeanor warrant out of the Seven Points Police Department for possession of drug paraphernalia.

GREGG COUNTY — A Department of Public Safety Trooper arrested Michael Lydall Grant, 37, of Overton, around 2:15 Wednesday morning. According to KETK, he’s been charged with accident involving death and intoxication manslaughter. Grant also had an outstanding parole warrant out of Austin. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail. Bond has not been set. According to DPS, around 9:20 Tuesday night, witnesses say Grant was traveling southbound on County Road 3652 when he ran a stop sign. Officials say he then struck Lechell Scott, 34, of Kilgore, who was walking in the roadway. DPS says Grant drove off, but was arrested a short time later. Scott was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — Tyler Police say they have found a missing teenager. Mario Alvarado, 15, was found around 11:30 last night. He had been reported missing Tuesday night in the area of South Clayton and East Lawrence. Further details on his disappearance were not immediately available.

TYLER — A longtime Smith County Precinct One constable has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for criminal tax violations. Henry Phillip Jackson, 65, of Tyler had pleaded guilty May 16 to four counts of willful failure to file federal income tax returns. Jackson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $157,489. According prosecutors, Jackson, who has served as an elected constable since 1999, received income from 2010-2013 that required him to file federal income tax returns for those years. However, Jackson failed to file those returns and now owes more than $160,000 in taxes.

TYLER — Dr. Michael Tidwell was inaugurated Tuesday as the fourth president of The University of Texas at Tyler, with UT System Regent Kevin Eltife of Tyler presiding. “Our vision is simple, The University of Texas at Tyler will be the primary educational and economic driver of East Texas,” Tidwell said in his inaugural address. Tidwell identified three areas of focus for UT Tyler to achieve the vision: building student success, building strong faculty, and building a more diverse economy. Former UT Tyler presidents Dr. James Stewart, Jr. and Dr. Rod Mabry were in attendance, as was Janie Hamm, wife of former president the late Dr. George Hamm. UT System Chancellor William McRaven also attended and offered comments.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University ranked 23rd in the top tier of the national 2018 U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of “America’s Best Colleges” in its category of “Best Regional Universities in the Western Region.” Among only the Texas schools, LETU was ranked 6th. The LETU ranking is up from 27th in 2017, and 32 in 2016. This year marks the 24th year the university has ranked in the top tier of its classification. Among “Great Schools Great Prices” ranking of schools that provide a Best Value for regional universities in the West, LETU was ranked 11th. LETU also ranked 15th among Best Colleges for Veterans in the West. LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford comments that the report “says much about the quality of the faculty and staff serving at LETU.”

TYLER — The Tyler street department has closed Easy Street between Paluxy Drive and Kidd Drive to through traffic in order to repair three large utility cuts. Residents will have access to their homes. City officials say the street will reopen by 2:00 this afternoon.

LONGVIEW — Restaurant owner Dudley Lang, who was severely burned in a cooking explosion nearly a year ago, has reached a settlement with the manufacturers of an automatic pilot safety valve device blamed in the incident. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Lang’s attorney reached an out-of-court settlement Aug. 31 with the Houston law firm that represented manufacturers Baso Gas Products LLC and Johnson Controls Inc. As a consequence, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on Wednesday issued an order of dismissal. Terms of the agreement remain confidential, the attorneys said Monday. Lang operates Dudley’s Cajun Cafe in Longview.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is investigating after a venomous snake bit a child at a local soccer complex. According to KETK, the Greater Longview Soccer Association said Monday, a child was bitten by a water moccasin while playing in the creek area at the Lear Soccer Complex on Pals Parkway. The City of Longview Parks and Recreation Department has been notified and staff members are searching the area for more snakes. The GLSA is asking residents to keep a close watch on their children and to restrict them from the creek and woods near the complex.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested after a short foot pursuit by Longview police on Friday afternoon. According to the Longview News-Journal, Tyrone Melvin Garner, 39, was found to be in possession of 87.5 grams of methamphetamine among other drugs. According to a probable cause warrant for arrest, Garner, 39, was stopped because of expired registration and ran from police carrying a backpack with a large quantity of narcotics. He gave officers a false name and date of birth. Because there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest, the new charges were being enhanced to fail to identify as a fugitive, unlawful possession of a firearm, which is a felony, and possession of a controlled substance between 4 and 200 grams. Garner was charged on seven counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm. He remained in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $94,000.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested one man on drug charges after a traffic stop over the weekend. According to KETK, around at 4:20 Saturday afternoon, they stopped Kevin Lee Mann, 47, for failing to signal. A backpack was in the car that Mann gave the officer permission to search. Inside the backpack the officer found syringes, baggies and a scale. The officer then searched the vehicle locating methamphetamines and Xanex. Further investigation led officers to believe Mann was selling the narcotics. He was arrested for Manufacture and Delivery of controlled substance, and booked into jail with a bond of $60,000.

TYLER — Citing a recent accident at a nearby facility, Brookshire’s Food and Grocery Company has temporarily closed its museum and playground on Old Jacksonville Highway. According to a statement released by the company to KETK, there are no plans for the venue to close permanently. “However,” the statement continues, “this location will remain temporarily closed until we have taken every possible measure to ensure the highest degree of safety for our visitors and staff. Although OSHA has given us the all-clear to reopen, we are going above and beyond and taking proactive measures to perform extensive diagnostic testing following a recent ammonia leak at one of our warehouses.” The company offered no definitive timeline. More than 60,000 people tour the site every year.

LINDALE – 32-year-old William Potts of Grand Saline and 34-year-old Brian Wright of Alba were arrested Sunday night when authorities say they injured an officer during a concert in Lindale. Around 9:15, a police officer was working off duty at Love and War when a fight broke out between bar patrons. As the officer tried to break up the dispute, police said he was grabbed and thrown onto a table which broke, sending the officer to the ground. The officer, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a leg injury. He is expected to be okay. Potts is charged with aggravated assault against a peace officer and assault; Wright is charged with assault. Both were jailed on $3,000 bond.

TYLER – A large crowd of East Texans gathered on Tyler’s downtown square Monday morning to honor first responders who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. KETK reports the event was called the “Revitalization of Patriotism,” and organizers hope to make it a yearly ceremony. The event featured singers paying tribute with patriotic songs, and Smith County students were on hand for a balloon release. Fallen K-9 officers were also honored as part of the ceremony. “For this to be the first event in Smith County of its nature on 9/11 was outstanding,” Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. “Be proud to be an American. Be proud of our first responders.” Addressing those responders, Pastor James Dill added, “We are so grateful. You will never know the debt of gratitude that we have towards every one of you. Thank you!”

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man has been killed in a crash shortly before 1:30 Monday morning on I-20 in Gregg County, four miles west of the Longview city limits. DPS says a preliminary report indicates that a truck-tractor driven by 63-yearold Junior E. Jones of Quitman was eastbound when it came upon a possibly disabled motorcycle. The motorcycle was standing in the middle of the right lane of traffic with its rider, Joel R. Choate. The truck struck the motorcycle and Choate, who was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Jones was not injured.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking input for Walk and Bike Longview, the region’s first bicycle and pedestrian plan. City staffers say residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming open house meetings and to give their input through an online survey and interactive map. According to a news release, open house attendees will learn about the project goals, process, and timeline. A September 21 open house is set from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at LeTourneau University. A similar event will be held September 22 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Gregg County Historical Museum. Go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1097 to learn more.

LAKE TYLER — Beginning Monday, the city of Tyler will be closing a portion of Concession Road at Lake Tyler to make repairs to the thoroughfare. Current plans call for the road to be closed to all traffic from FM 346 to the gate at the Lake Tyler Dam through Friday, Nov. 3. The Lake Tyler Marina and public recreation areas can still be accessed from the northern portion of Concession Road that comes off Dickson Road (CR 2332).

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the week of September 11. Motorists can expect lane closures on eastbound I-20 at the Toll 49 interchange as crews work to install beams on the Lindale Relief Route project. On Monday, daytime delays are possible on SH 110 at Toll 49 when crews install concrete traffic barriers on the south side of the roadway as ramp construction gets underway. Go to http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/046-2017.html for a more detailed rundown on projects throughout the district.

TYLER — “Roadside Distractions: Works by Daniel Blagg” is the newest exhibition at the Tyler Museum of Art. The show opened Sunday and runs through Nov. 26, with free admission. According to press materials, it showcases 25 of Blagg’s urban realist paintings. Blagg’s work is included in numerous permanent collections. You can go to http://www.tylermuseum.org for more on what’s happening at TMA.

TYLER — “Honoring Our Past – Embracing Our Future” is the theme of a special event Monday morning commemorating the response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A variety of organizations are teaming up for Smith County’s Revitalization of Patriotism, which started at 7:00 and will run till 8:00 on Tyler’s downtown square. According to publicity materials, participants will remember emergency responders and those from Smith County who have died in the line of duty since that day. Organizers say students, residents, and first responders will be on hand, and everyone’s encouraged to attend.

RUSK COUNTY — 21-year-old Tyler J. Russell of Winona, Missouri, has been killed in a wreck on U.S. 259 ten miles north of Henderson. DPS says a preliminary investigation revealed that a truck-tractor driven by 34-year-old Fernando Gomez Gonzales of Gladewater was traveling north in the left lane around 3:15 Friday afternoon. A construction sweeper driven by Russell was traveling north in the outside lane, sweeping the roadway. Russell turned into the left lane in front of the truck-tractor, the vehicles collided, and Russell was ejected from the sweeper. He died at a Tyler hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER – 89-year-old Auzie Manning Campbell has been killed in a Smith County highway accident Friday night on State Highway 31 East near County Road 236. According to DPS, preliminary investigation shows Campbell may have been crossing the street to pick up her mail when she was struck by a minivan. Law officers had to divert traffic for a time onto County Road 236. DPS says further information will be released as it is verified.

TYLER – Smith County sheriff’s deputies have arrested two persons in connection with an injured toddler. Arrested this week were Terral Deshon Carter, 26, and Taylor Nicole Skinner, 24. The injured child is recovering following surgery at a Dallas hospital. On August 27th, the sheriff’s department received a call from Child Protective Services concerning a suspected child abuse case. A 15 month old child had been admitted to a Tyler hospital with severe injuries that were consistent with abuse. The child was later transferred to a Dallas hospital. After an investigation, Carter was arrested on a charge of for injury to a child/serious bodily injury. A day later, Skinner was arrested for Injury to a child by omission. Both remain in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Two people have been jailed in Smith County, accused in the severe injury of a child. Sheriff Larry Smith says Child Protective Services reported the incident shortly before midnight August 27. Deputies were told a 15-month-old had been admitted to a local hospital with severe injuries that were consistent with abuse. The child was later transferred to a Dallas hospital. Following an investigation, authorities this past week arrested 26-year-old Terral Deshon Carter for injury to a child/serious bodily injury, a first degree felony; and 24-year-old Taylor Nicole Skinner for injury to a child by omission, a state jail felony. Smith says the child is recovering in the hospital following surgery.

MARSHALL – With the start of the new school year, a record enrollment is being reported at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall. The school’s enrollment is placed at 1,533 students. That’s a 5% increase from the fall of last year. And with a freshman enrollment of 419 students, that’s the largest freshmen class in the history of the institution. The school was founded in 1912 as College of Marshall.

TYLER – It has been announced that Dr. Peter J. Plantes is stepping down on November 3rd as CHRISTUS Health’s Senior Vice President of Physician Enterprises and CEO of CHRISTUS Physician Group. He will be succeeded by Jason Markham, 43, (pictured) who will officially take over as Chief Administrative Officer of CHRISTUS Physician Enterprises. Last month, Markham was named Chief Administrative Officer of CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, a role he will continue to hold in addition to his new position.

TYLER – It is time for the annual fall spruce up at Tyler’s Discovery Science Center. The children’s museum will close starting Monday for complete renovations and updates.The scheduled closing occurs each fall for updating exhibits and facilities and conducting deep cleaning and other maintenance tasks. It will reopen on Wednesday, September 27th. Continue reading The Discovery Science Place Temporarily Closing

TYLER – A Smith County man has man has pleaded guilty to arson and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. State District Judge Kerry Russell sentenced Matthew R. Dutton, 31, of Flint, to 20 years in prison. He was arrested in May for assaulting his girlfriend with a knife and setting his single wide mobile home on fire. The mobile home was destroyed by the fire, which started on a bed. His girlfriend told investigators Dutton was intoxicated when he cut her with a knife and wouldn’t let her leave the home. About three hours after being assaulted, she was able to sneak out of the house and call for help.

AUSTIN – Texas home sales increased in the first half of the year. The same was true in Tyler. According to the Real Estate Midyear Review Report, released Friday by the Texas Association of Realtors, home sales in the state jumped 5.5% compared to the first half of 2016. Over 166,000 homes were sold between January and the end of June. Texas home prices also continued to rise steadily in the first half of the year. The median sales price increased 7.7% from the previous year to $221,800. Tyler home sales increased 11.6% in the first half of 2017 to 1,439 single-family home sales. The median price in Tyler increased 4.9% to $183,000 during the same time frame. Continue reading Home Sales Strong in Texas and Tyler