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LONGVIEW – A Longview burglar is heading to prison. Detric Deshawn Sheffield, 31, was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary. Last September, officers answered a suspicious person call. They saw a man coming from the back of a home on Lane Wells Drive. He was carrying what appeared to be a duffel bag and a back pack. He grabbed a bicycle and fled. He later abandoned the bike and fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later.

GILMER – An Upshur County man has received a lengthy prison sentence for the death of his grandson. Randell Jay Phillips, 42, of Big Sandy, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the death of 2 year old Skylar Rabourn. The youngster died last October when Phillips’ vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The boy, who was unrestrained in the front seat, was trapped under the dashboard of the vehicle. He as pronounced dead at the scene. Phillips was charged with murder the case because of his prior DWI convictions in Gregg County. Over three hours after the fatal crash, his blood alcohol level was still two times the legal limit.

SAN FRANCISCO – Children’s clothing retailer Gymboree is announcing the stores it plans to close as it restructures in bankruptcy. The company said it is aiming to slash its debts and close hundreds of stores amid crushing pressure on retailers. When it filed for bankruptcy protection last month, the business announced it could close up to 450 stores. They have now qannounced they will close 350 of their over 12-hundred stores. They have 20 stores in Texas. While stores in the Metroplex, Houston and El Paso are on the closings list. The Tyler store in the Broadway Square Mall will remain open.

TYLER- The Tyler city council has approved a long-range master plan for the Rose Garden Complex. The approval follows 10 months of work on the proposal. Under 20 to 25 year plan, Harvey Hall would be demolished and a new one built. Some of the existing fair buildings will be demolished and replaced with a single multi-use building. The plan also calls for a sports museum. The long range plan calls for extending Houston Street to Parkdale Drive and closing off a portion of Lyons Avenue at Front Street. The city council called for a traffic study before the traffic changes are implemented.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The body of a 2005 Spring Hill High School graduate was found in a ditch in northeast Oklahoma City on Monday. According to KETK and KFOR, the body of Ashley Easton, 30, was found near a burning vehicle that was involved in a crash. Authorities say Easton had injuries consistent with homicide. When the fire was extinguished, police say the body of a male was found in the vehicle. Authorities determined the male was dead prior to the crash and the vehicle catching fire. Officials also say the man’s body had homicide-related injuries. Authorities believe the driver of the vehicle left the scene of the crash and is still at large. No arrests have been made, but police are urging anyone with information to call the homicide tip-line at 405-297-1200.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was taken into custody Wednesday morning after he allegedly showed up drunk to jury duty at the Smith County Courthouse. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Taylor Ryan Huckaby, 23, arrived at the courthouse and appeared to be slurring his words. The man was then reported to deputies. When deputies responded to the reports, they found Huckaby and asked him what was inside his cup he was carrying. At this point Huckaby tried to leave, but he was stopped and beer was found inside the cup, stated the Sheriff’s Office. Huckaby was arrested and charged with public intoxication.

TYLER — Smith County officials met with more than 75 residents from the southern portions of the county Tuesday evening to listen to their road concerns at the first Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Citizen Input Meeting. It was the first of several such meetings planned throughout the county to gather residents’ opinions to develop a long-term road plan. Commissioners Jeff Warr and Cary Nix both said they were very pleased with the turnout and citizen participation. Continue reading Large Turnout at Citizen Input Meeting on Road Improvements

MARSHALL — Car burglaries are on the rise in East Texas. Harrison County Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Webb says he’s always surprised at what people will leave in unlocked cars. Webb says he doesn’t know why people leave guns, purses, wedding rings, and cameras in their vehicles. He advises that the easiest way to keep from being a victim is to take your valuables inside and lock your doors.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been jailed after being accused of stealing an ambulance. The police first encountered Daniel Wayne Shaklee, 31, on Glover Drive. Officers requested paramedics to evaluate the man. He asked to be taken to the hospital. On the way, he jumped from the ambulance and ran into a wooded area. When found, he asked again to go to the hospital, where he refused treatment. Officers say he then left and stole an ambulance. He was arrested at Methvin and High Streets. After being cleared at the hospital, he was booked into jail on a theft charge.

LINCOLN, New Mexico – A Gregg County woman has been killed in a New Mexico accident. The accident occured shortly before 4:00 Tuesday afternoon. Dead at the scene was Beverly Bradbury Cline, 78, of Kilgore. The accident occurred when a car driven by a Capitan, New Mexico woman drove onto the shoulder of the road and hit Cline and a parked vehicle. Investigators say the woman admitted to using medicinal marijuana and methadone earlier in the day. She has been charged with vehicular homicide.

TYLER – The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from residents to serve on city boards and commissions. To serve, you must live inside Tyler City limits and not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities or other city assessments. In addition, you must not have any pending claims against the city. And there may be additional requirements for some board positions. Those who are appointed will serve voluntarily, without pay, for a two-year term. Continue reading Tyler Board and Commission Members Sought

AUSTIN – A state report shows sales tax allocations are still rising in the area. The July sales tax allocations are based on sales made in May. Tyler’s allocations tops $3.1 million. This is up 7.5% from the same period last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations are up over 3.5% to $23.3 million. Longview’s July allocation is $2.4 million, an increase of 10.6%. For the year, Longview has received over $17 million, which is up just under 1% from the same period last year.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County deputy, hurt in the line of duty, is in need of an organ transplant. His partner is stepping up to the call. Deputy Sherman Dollison’s match was working right next to him. Detective Josh Hill is donating his kidney. In 2005, Dollison was a court security officer for the sheriff’s office when he was severely injured in a courthouse shooting. He was shot multiple times and underwent several surgeries. Dollison recovered and now serves as a detective. Twelve years later he is in need of a kidney transplant. Detective Hill was an exact match. Continue reading Detective Will Donate Kidney to Partner

HENDERSON COUNTY — A wanted fugitive has been arrested following a foot chase. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s office, a deputy was attempting to make a traffic stop Tuesday night when the suspect reportedly fled on foot. Jeremy Meeks, 33, ran into a wooded area. He was arrested a short time later. Meeks was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was charged with felony manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. He also faces charges for the outstanding warrants for assault family violence and criminal trespassing of a habitation.

MARSHALL — Texas temperatures are rising — and as the temp goes up, so does the danger of dehydration. Kim Smith, registered nurse with the Harrison County Health Department, says, “Your brain is 70 per cent water, so there’s a potential for dehydration there — and when people are dehydrated, their thinking and their thought processes get fuzzy. So it’s important to stay hydrated — and not just with beverages, but just plain good water.” Smith says symptoms of dehydration can include increased thirst, dry mouth, tiredness, decreased urine output, dark yellow urine, headaches, dry skin, and dizziness.

TYLER — Witnesses report Interstate 20 eastbound is completely shut down just east of Toll 49 in Smith County due to an accident with fatalities. Details remain sketchy at this time, but drivers are urged to avoid the area until further notice.

GILMER – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is warning that a couple of old scams have resurfaced. One is where someone calls saying that a family member is in jail and is needing money to get the family member out of jail. They suggest you call that jail to see if that family member is there. And the second one is a caller says they represent Upshur County Sheriff’s Office as a third party representative and are trying to settle a civil litigation out of court and requesting a certain amount of money to be sent to them. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office does not hire third party representatives. If you have questions, you can contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER — Local governments and other stakeholders in Smith County are working together to create an update of the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, and public input is being requested. A Tyler Fire Department news release says the original plan was prepared in 2008 – 2010. The plan is in response to federal programs that enable the partnership to use financial assistance to reduce residents’ exposure to risks associated with hazards. Continue reading Fire Department Urges Participation in Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

TYLER – Smith County commissioners received a safety award at Tuesday’s meeting. The 2016 safety award was presented by the Texas Association of Counties. It was presented to Smith County by Isaac Garcia, a representative of the association’s Risk Management Pool. He told the court the county’s losses for worker’s compensation have been very good in 2016, as well as the past several years. And he said he expects to see good things continue in 2017, and for the county to apply for the Gold Star Safety Award.

TYLER – Two 911 calls resulted in the arrest of a Tyler teen. He is Desi Lee Griffith, 17. It started with a call about a bicycle theft. Then came a call from a girl who said a teen tried to sexually assault her near Andy Woods Elementary. She was able to get away from him and call 911. Police spokesman Don Martin said a witness to the bike theft gave them the name of the suspect, because they had gone to school with him. The description of the two suspects matched. They went to Griffith’s home, where he was arrested. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

KAUFMAN – East Texas authorities are looking for a woman wanted for aggravated robbery and child endangerment. The Kaufman Police Department has identified her as Megan Boulter. According to the department’s Face Book page, she is believed to be hiding out and moving between Kaufman, Van Zandt, and Dallas counties. And she is said to be aided by a male friend. You can go to https://www.facebook.com/cityofkaufmanpolice and see more pictures of Boulter with her hair in different styles and colors.

TYLER – Dr. Dennis Cali has been recognized by the Media Ecology Association for outstanding academic research. Cali, a professor and chair of The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Communication, received the “Top Paper Award” at this year’s MEA Annual Convention. Cali teaches and researches primarily in the areas of media ecology, political communication, rhetorical criticism and religious communication.

LONGVIEW – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Longview Chamber the highest level a chamber can achieve. The Longview Chamber has been awarded the 5-Star Accreditation. It is based on the chamber’s policies, organizational procedures and positive impact on the community. It’s the second straight time they have received the highest level. The The honor places the Longview Chamber of Commerce among the top 1% of chambers nationwide. Of the 7,000 chambers in the United States, only 106 are rated 5-Star.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Hawkins Parkway will be reopening to traffic on Wednesday. Over the last five months, there has been construction to repair the dip on Hawkins Parkway at Eastman Road. Construction will continue for minor items such as pavement striping and markings. Daily lane closures will still be required to complete the last items of the construction. Drivers are encouraged to be patient and drive safely. The work is being funded by a grant from the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority through Gregg County and by the City of Longview.

TYLER — Tyler’s Faulkner Park splash pad has reopened after being briefly closed today due to multiple water main breaks. The water had been shut off, affecting the splash pad, playground, and restroom located in the spray park.

MARSHALL — A man considered to be armed and dangerous has been taken into custody. Quantravious Markez Miles, 19, surrendered just after 11 a.m. on Monday. He is being held in the Harrison County Jail. Miles was wanted for one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of forgery and one count of misdemeanor theft. The aggravated assault charge is said to stem from a July 2nd shooting where Miles is accused of shooting at a car in front of him. No one was injured.

TYLER – A Large portion of Golden Road will be closed for several days. Reynolds and Kay will be seal coating a major portion of Golden Road starting today; the work is expected to last one to two days. Travelers should expect delays or find an alternative route until complete. The work will impact travel on Golden Road from Old Henderson Highway to Fifth Street.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court is hosting its first Smith County Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Citizen Input Meeting this evening, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the City of Tyler Police Faulkner Park Substation. The public is invited to attend and give their opinions of county roads and bridges. Officials say it’s all part of a strategic planning process to develop a Road and Bridge Plan that identifies specific road and bridge infrastructure improvements needed in the county, sets out a timeline for making those improvements, and identifies the funding source(s) for such improvements. Continue reading First Open House Today on Smith County Road Plan

TYLER – Tyler police have identified a woman critically injured in a Monday accident. She was injured around 9:30 Monday morning when she jumped in front of an 18-wheeler on Highway 69 north of Black Fork Creek. At first they issued a description of the woman, believed to be in her 30’s to early 40’s, medium build, with light brown short hair. They also released pictures of tattoos in hopes of identifying her. We’re now told they know who she is, but have not yet released her name.

TYLER – Work is well underway for the annual East Texas State Fair. It will be held on the fairgrounds off East Front Street in Tyler September 22nd through October 1st. There will be the exhibits, carnival, and of course, the fair food. This year’s fair will a lot of live music, more than in past years. This year they will introduce Countryfest; a music festival type event featuring ten Texas Country artists over two Saturdays. All concerts are free with regular fair admission. Continue reading East Texas State Fair Musical Lineup Announced