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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler weighs in after former FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday. Comey revealed that he’d orchestrated the public release of information about his private conversations with the President in an effort to further the Russia investigation. Gohmert responded, “For the head of the FBI to be leaking information I thought was just astounding. We finally got once and for all, I would hope, that Trump was not under investigation, is not under investigation.” Gohmert spoke with KTBB and said he was amazed Comey admitted as much as he did.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for several armed suspects following a gas station robbery Thursday night. It happened at the Food Fast convenience store, 1516 South Vine, just after 10:00. The clerk told officers a black male wearing a mask entered the store, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk handed over the register drawer with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the scene with the drawer. Witnesses told police a second suspect, armed with a shotgun, waited outside the store during the robbery. Both suspects were dressed in black hoodies, blue jeans and black masks. A second witness believed the suspects got into a small to midsize tan sedan that was parked on Talley. Continue reading Armed Robbery Suspects Sought

MARSHALL — Representatives from AT&T presented a $25,000 contribution to support the Boys and Girls Club of Big Pines — And its signature “Be Great” programs targeting under-served and at-risk teens in East Texas. Bryan Partee, the club’s executive director, says using early warning signals – attendance, behavior, and course failure — the club targets about 150 students every year. Partee says the club then works to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed in high school and beyond. The AT&T contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature education initiative focused on school success and career readiness.

MARSHALL – Late last month we had a story about a man accused of stealing around $1,200 worth of cigarettes from a Marshall business. He is said to have gone into the Dollar General on East End Boulevard on May 24th and took about 20 cartons of cigarettes. The suspect then left the store without paying. He was later identified as Justin Williams, 27, of Longview, and an arrest warrant was issued for him. Williams was arrested by Longview Police on Tuesday and was booked into the Gregg County Jail. He is charge with theft of less than $2,500. Williams is also a suspect in several other theft cases in neighboring cities.

EAST TEXAS – Homes in Tyler and Longview have been damaged in early morning fires. The Tyler fire was reported shortly after 4:00 Thursday morning on Victory Drive. Firemen noted heavy fire and smoke at the rear of the home. It was quickly extinguished. The resident awoke to a loud noise and found fire in a large storage area of the home. Smoke alarms were present, but did not activate due to the lack of fire and smoke in the main part of the home. While the cause of the fire remains undetermined, investigators reported that the occupant had noticed smoke in the room the day before and shut off the electrical power to the light fixtures in that room. Continue reading Tyler And Longview Fires Investigated

LONGVIEW – A Longview motorcycle officer has been injured while escorting a funeral. Officer Rodney Smith was injured when a car from the procession made an unsafe turn into the officer. The officer, a ten year veteran with the police department, was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained multiple injuries. No word at this time on the extent of the injuries or about any charges in the accident.

LONGVIEW – Nearly a dozen persons have been arrested in connection with a string of Longview robberies. From May 1st through June 8th, 20 robberies have been reported in Longview, compared to 9 in the prior month. In 11 of those robberies the suspects targeted people in a public area. In 9 of the robberies the suspects targeted a person at an open business. The Longview Police Department has made ten arrests related to at least seven robberies. As the investigations continue they anticipate more of these crimes will be solved. Nine of the suspects arrested to date were adults and one was a juvenile. Eight of the adults are from Longview and one is from Nacogdoches. Continue reading Numerous Suspects in Custody For Longview Robberies

KILGORE – Kilgore police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two persons suspected of forgery. The forgeries were committed at Brookshire’s in Kilgore on May 18th and 19th. It is believed the two are working together. The two are also said to have passed forged checks in Tyler and Chandler. Continue reading Kilgore Forgery Suspects Sought

TYLER – A man whose Tyler’s murder charge was dismissed a year ago, has filed a federal lawsuit against those he claims were involved in his wrongful conviction. The 32 page document was filed on Monday on behalf of Kerry Max Cook. He is suing 22 people and agencies who he claims fabricated and excluded evidence and created false evidence that led to him spending 20 years in prison. The suit claims the defendants set out to pin the murder on a homosexual. According to the suit, the defendants believed Cook was a homosexual. He is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorneys’ fees and costs. Continue reading Kerry Max Cook Files Suit Over His Murder Conviction

HUNTSVILLE (AP) — An Upshur County man on death row for killing two men days apart during a crime trek across the state more than 15 years ago has received an execution date for later this year. Texas Department of Criminal Justice has received court documents setting 33-year-old convicted killer Clinton Lee Young for lethal injection October 26. Young, from Ore City, was convicted and condemned for the November 2001 fatal shootings of 41-year-old Doyle Douglas in Longview and then 52-year-old Samuel Petrey a day or two later in a Midland oilfield. Petrey had been carjacked in Eastland, about 50 miles east of Abilene. Young was arrested in Midland and tried for capital murder in Midland County.

WASKOM – A Harrison County man has been charged with deadly conduct following a shooting incident in Waskom. Police have arrested Michael Wilson, 53, of Waskom, following the Wednesday afternoon incident on Spur 156. Wilson is said to have gotten into an argument with three persons in a car. He is said to have fired one shot at the vehicle. Someone in the vehicle fired four shots in return. No injuries were reported. Authorities are viewing video of the incident as they try to identify the persons in the vehicle.

ATHENS — Five men were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, in separate cases. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Clifford Keith Miller, 55, was arrested at a residence outside of Athens on HWY 175 West with a substantial amount of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and marijuana. A search warrant was issued following an unrelated investigation. Miller (pictured) faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Continue reading Numerous Drug Related Arrests in Henderson County

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man was arrested Wednesday on a motion to revoke probation warrant. According to KETK, Kevin Brian Weddle, 43, was arrested on a warrant out of Van Zandt County to revoke his probation stemming from a conviction for online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct. Longview police arrested Weddle around 1:10 p.m. On December 8, 2009, Weddle was sentenced to 10 years probation and registered as a sex offender. He’s being held in the Gregg County Jail without bond.

LONGVIEW – Longview conducted the monthly test of the emergency siren network on Wednesday. During the test, only eight of the twenty sirens were confirmed to work properly. The electronic equipment that relays the signal to the sirens was initially damaged during the storm on Sunday, May 28. While the electronic equipment continued to work during last week’s test and all sirens sounded on May 31, the damaged electronic equipment did not properly work on Wednesday’s test. The affected electronic equipment will be replaced as soon as it is available and tests will follow. Continue reading Problems With Longview’s Emergency Sirens

LONGVIEW – Several late night robberies in Longview are under investigation. Two robberies occurred on on June 2. One was on West Loop 281 shortly before 1:00am and one was on Gilmer Road two hours later. The suspects are identified as two white males 18 to 20 years of age. Around 3:00 Wednesday morning, the Food Fast on the South Access Road was robbed by a white male 5’6” to 5’8”. All three-location had money taken but no weapons were used and no one was injured. Detective Juarez-Ortega is investigating these robberies and can be contacted at 903-237-1110 if anyone has any additional information.

TYLER – A Man accused of biting a sheriff’s deputy has been indicted by the Smith County grand jury. Justin Utah Carsten, 22, of Bullard was indicted late last week for assault on a public servant. When deputies responded to a disturbance call on Deer Cove Road on April 14th, they found Carsten, high on something, naked and armed with a shovel. When he wouldn’t put down the shovel, they used a taser on him. He was not affected by it. While bringing him under control, he is said to have bit a deputy on the leg. Both were treated and released at a Tyler hospital.

TYLER – Tyler’s Assistant Police Chief, Billy Yates graduated Wednesday from the FBI National Academy Session # 268 in Quantico, Virginia. Law Enforcement Professionals from around the world are nominated and then selected to attend the NA at Quantico after a rigorous vetting process. The Tyler Police Department has had a total of ten former or current command staff who have graduated from the national academy.

TYLER -The Tyler firefighters Fill the Boot Drive proved to be a huge success. On May 12th, Tyler firemen asked you to fill boots with money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This year’s drive was a record, $54,087.04. Tyler Fire Chief David Coble expressed his deep gratitude to the Tyler firefighters and the citizens of Tyler for their tremendous support. In thanking those you donated to the campaign, Chief Coble said, “Your generous donations are helping our community get closer to finding cures for Muscular Dystrophy.”

AUSTIN – Area sales tax allocations are looking better than at this time last year. The state comptroller’s office has announced sales tax allocations for June of over $640 million. That is nearly 4% more than June of last year. The allocations are based on sales made in April. In East Texas, Tyler’s sales tax allocation comes to $3,068,681.18. This is 3.66% higher that the same period last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations have come to $20,210,437.80, which is up 2.99%. Longview’s sales tax allocation for this period is $2.221,570.29. This is 1.44% more than June of last year. Longview’s year to date total is $14,794,297,86, or 0.51% below the year to date total last year.

LINDALE – 31-year-old Justin Landreau of Tyler has been identified as the man killed in an industrial accident at the Target Distribution Center in Smith County. The distribution center is located south of Interstate Highway 20 near mile marker 554 on Harvey Road, near Lindale. A statement from Target identifies the victim as a contractor. According to KETK, Target says it’s partnering closely with local officials and will fully assist in the investigation. There was no immediate word on how Landreau died.

TYLER — Another large crowd was on hand as Tyler’s East Texas Islamic Society opened the doors of its mosque to the community for an annual open house — part of the holy month of Ramadan. Visitors learned about Islam as they listened to a panel of speakers and got to ask questions, along with enjoying food and fellowship. Society spokesman Anwar Khalifa told KTBB, “We want to open up. We want the community comfortable with their Muslim neighbors…We want to be a part of the community, not apart from the community.” As for the response, Khalifa said, “It’s amazing — I think this is the biggest turnout we’ve had,” adding that the society members were “just so grateful for everybody that’s here.

GILMER — A Gilmer man has been indicted in the April shooting death of his stepfather, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said Tuesday. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Clinton Ray Allen, 45, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of James Earl Robertson, who was found shot to death in his home April 6 in the 400 block of Holly Road, the sheriff’s office reported. Allen remained in the Upshur County Jail on Tuesday on $950,000 bond. Officials said a family dispute led to the shooting.

TYLER – A Wood County man is being accused of sexual assault of a child. Arrested was Scott Michael Young, 57, of Quitman. The incident is said to have occurred just before 2:00 Tuesday morning on County Road 32. A witness detained the suspect, at gunpoint, until sheriff’s deputies arrived. According to the witness, the suspect had exposed his genitals to a 6 year old child. During the investigation deputies discovered that there were a total of three minor children present in the residence. They were taken to the Smith County Children’s Advocacy Center where they underwent forensic interviews. During the interviews two of the children told interviewers about sexual assault, including the initial victim. Young remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $450,000. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested after an officer saw him drop a bag containing methamphetamine. Derrick Larry Colbert Sr., 39, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was arrested around 1:30 Tuesday morning after officers saw him riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, which is against a city ordinance. The Longview News Journal reports, when officers tried to stop him, he reached into his sock and pulled out a plastic bag and dropped it on the sidewalk. The officers found the drugs in the bag.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for a suspect in several credit card abuse cases. She is said to have gone to Dillard’s and Chico’s and stole sales clerks’ billfolds while they were occupied with assisting customers. She then went to Target to use the stolen credit cards. If you recognize this suspect in the picture, please contact Detective Royce Jordan at 903-531-1032 or call Tyler Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Forest Park Middle School is getting a new principal. School Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox has named Dr. Cynthia Wise to the post. She has been principal at the district’s Ned E. Williams Elementary, and his been in the district for 10 years. She is succeeding Shay Thompson, who is retiring from the district. Dr Wilcox says on the district’s web site, “The accomplishments Dr. Wise has achieved at Ned E. Williams speak for themselves. We expect her to bring the same high standards and commitment to excellence to the students and staff at Forest Park.” Continue reading Longview Principal Changing Schools

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a woman who passed some counterfeit money. The woman is said to have used the money to purchase gift cards at the Family Dollar store on South High Street on April 24th. If you have any information in regards to the person in the photo please contact Det. Gina Villarreal at 903-237-1164, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org in reference to case 17-6708.

TYLER – A Lindale woman involved in a fatal accident on Loop 49 in April, turned herself into authorities today. Jessica Lauren Vass, 35, faces two charges of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. Her bonds total $100,000. She was involved in a wreck that killed Gary McCrary, 62, of Flint and Annette Burkhart, 56, of Garland. McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing a flat tire on her car when the Vass vehicle hit the back of his pickup which then hit the Burkhart car. The crash occurred April 12th on Loop 49 just north of Highway 64.

EAST TEXAS – State troopers in Northeast Texas are joining with law enforcement agencies around the state and around the nation to conduct intensified commercial vehicle inspections. Through Thursday, Roadcheck 2017 is the annual drive to increase motor carrier, vehicle, driver and cargo safety and security. State troopers will be on the lookout for commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers and buses, with serious equipment violations and drivers out of compliance with state and federal requirements. Continue reading Intensified Commercial Vehicle Inspections

TYLER – Texas College Road/34th Street in Tyler is currently open to local traffic only from WNW Loop 323 to Carter Boulevard. A contractor is onsite to repair a 42-inch sewer main damaged by a falling culvert on May 26. Work started Tuesday morning and is expected to be complete by approximately 8:00 Thursday evening.