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TYLER – Warrants out of Upshur County has landed a Smith County man in jail. Booked into the Smith County Jail on Tuesday was Jeffrey Earl Abendroth, 41, of Tyler. One of the Upshur County warrants was for the sexual assault of a child. He was also wanted for operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner and not having a driver’s license.

TYLER – A man who led authorities on a three county chase remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $110,000. Johnny Ray Roulett, 35, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, is charged with evading arrest, tampering with identification numbers personal property and unlawfully carrying a weapon. Officers first tried to stop him in northern Smith County. The chase, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, went into Wood and Van Zandt counties and ended on Highway 69 in the Lindale area, where he was arrested.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has released its crime statistics for 2016. Overall Part One crimes — offenses deemed the most serious in nature — are down 1.26%. Part One violent crimes (homicides, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault) are up 18.67% from last year. But the Part One violent crime number is lower than it was in 2012 and 2013. Part One property crimes (burglary, theft, auto theft) are down 3.08%. Part Two crimes are up 7.61% but also show a decrease from 2012 and 2013. The statistics indicate crime rates over the past five calendar years. Continue reading 2016 Tyler Crime Statistics Released

ATHENS – Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says two women with a substantial amount of illegal drugs were arrested Tuesday by county deputies under Hillhouse’s direction. Angela Davis (far left), 42, of Poynor, and Ashley Jordan (near left), 26, of Chandler, are currently in the county jail awaiting arraignment. Hillhouse, with the assistance of Coffee City police, received information leading to the investigation and arrests. Hillhouse’s team found a group of people at Davis’s residence. Hillhouse says they also found Davis in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine, a first degree felony, and Jordan with suspected methamphetamine. Continue reading Sheriff Directs Narcotics Team to Arrests in Poynor

CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill High School Band is now the proud owner of instruments for an entire Steel Drum Band. The instruments are valued at $17,000.00. They were donated by the Youth Steel Band Foundation which is based in Tyler. The group also made a $3,000 donation to the Chapel Hill Band Boosters. The instruments and money were presented during a Tuesday afternoon ceremony. Following the presentation there was a short performance on the drums by members of the Chapel Hill High School Band.

LONGVIEW – A woman is in custody in connection with a March shooting in Longview. The Longview News Journal reports Jessica Courtney Perry, 29, of Longview, is being held in the Gregg County Jail without bond on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is accused of shooting a woman at the Palace Inn on East Marshall Avenue around 1:00am on March 29th. According to the victim, she and her boyfriend had been in a car with Perry and another person. On their way to the hotel, she and Perry got into an argument and Perry pulled a gun on her. She said Perry shot her after she got out of the vehicle.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested after threatening to shoot a policeman. Charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant is Dakota Jasper Faulk, 23. Police say Faulk made a 911 call shortly after 8:45 Monday night. He said he was standing outside the police department with a sniper rifle and he would shoot police or anyone who left the building. He was later arrested, without incident, at his home in the Flamingo Mobile Home Park on Pine Tree Road. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $5,500.

TYLER – A Gilmer woman has been sentenced to federal prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in East Texas. Shanna Peek Tidwell, 38, was sentenced in federal court in Tyler Tuesday to 30 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty in the case last December. Besides the prison term, assets must forfeit include U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, six automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms. Continue reading Upshur County Woman Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy

TYLER – Federal officials announced in Tyler Tuesday afternoon, several persons have received lengthy prison sentences for child pornography. Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler has been sentenced to 336 months in federal prison. Crystal Beam, 35, of Medford, Oregon has been sentenced to to 216 months in federal prison. And Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison. A fourth person, Lacy Brooks, 31, of Searcy, Arkansas, is still awaiting sentencing. The four are accused of being part of a child pornography ring that was sexually exploiting children.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Noonday during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. Mayor Mike Turman, pictured with his wife Vivian, who is a Noonday Alderman, gave a brief presentation about the history of Noonday. Noonday was the first city to be invited to come before the commissioner’s as part of Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran’s new initiative, “Connecting Communities.” Continue reading Noonday Highlighted Before the Commissioners Court

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 11:00 Tuesday morning. a 28 year old man was shot in the neck at a home on North Street. He is said to have walked to a relative’s home on North Street where 911 was called. He is now hospitalized. There is no word on his name or condition at this time and the investigation is continuing.

KILGORE – A Kilgore man, who police believe killed his estranged wife before stabbing himself, has died. Maria Carolina Alvarez Pantoja, 24, died April 3rd from a large cut on her neck. Juan C. Vazquez Perales, 27, was suffering from a cut to his neck, a cut to his wrist, and several stab wounds to his body. He has now died at a Tyler hospital. The Longview News Journal reports police believe Perales used their children to lure Alvarez to a home on Leake Street in the hope of possibly reconciling. Investigators believe Perales killed the woman before cutting himself.

AUSTIN — Conservative activists, including a prominent East Texan, take aim on Texas House Republicans for not being conservative enough. Monday was Tea Party Day at the state Capitol, and many have taken issue with the state House for not embracing conservative reforms. JoAnn Fleming of Smith County believes the House bill banning sanctuary cities has been watered down. Dana Hodges of Concerned Women for America wants House Speaker Joe Straus to care more about the transgender bathroom bill. Other issues of interest include defunding abortion providers, no more toll roads and constitutional carry gun legislation.

DIANA – Gas pump skimmers have been found in Upshur County. According to the sheriff’s department, gas pump skimmers have been found in the Diana area. These skimmers are attached inside the gas pumps, which makes them undetectable to customers or store employees. The sheriff’s department says, before using a gas pump, look closely for any signs of tampering. Check the security strips near the lock to make sure they have not been tampered with. They also recommend using pumps closest to the store, those seem to be the least tampered with at this point. And, if you suspect a pump has been tampered with, notify the business.

KILGORE — A Kilgore College Rangerette kidnapped at gunpoint was choked to the point she passed out and tied up with tape inside a storage building. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the victim, Alexa Blair, 19, was able to remove the tape, escape from the building and call police. Responding officers saw “visible injuries to her neck and face” when they found her. The cell phone search warrant, which Gregg County District Clerk records indicate was returned in March, offers new details in the Dec. 29, 2016 kidnapping of Rangerettes Director Dana Blair’s daughter Alexa from their Longview home in the 2100 block of Airline Drive. Continue reading New Details in Rangerette Kidnapping Case

LONGVIEW – An Alba man is free on bond following a weekend arrest in Longview on a weapons charge. Saturday morning around 2:00, police found several persons involved in a confrontation behind a motel on North Spur 63. One of the men, Michael Mark Morelli, 21, was wearing a gun in a holster on his hip. When they found he didn’t have a valid license to car the gun, he was arrested for the unlawful carrying of a weapon.

KILGORE – Two drug suspects are in custody following a chase by Kilgore police. The chase started shortly before 2:00 Monday afternoon after a man saw a police officer patrolling a business parking lot. The man jumped into a car and it took off. A computer check show one of the persons was wanted. In the chase that followed, numerous bags of marijuana were tossed from the car. They also tossed out a large bag of methamphetamine. The car was finally stopped on State Highway 42 and the man and woman in the vehicle were arrested. Charges are pending against the couple.

GILMER – A man wearing a red ski mask has robbed a Gilmer gas station. The robbery occurred shortly after 5:45 Monday morning at the Texaco West station on State Highway 154 at Farm Road 49. The suspect is described as a white male wearing a gray sweatshirt and khaki pants and armed with a semi-automatic handgun. He is escaped with $300. No injuries were reported. Gilmer police say they have a person of interest in the case.

LONGVIEW – A Longview police officer saw two mustangs west bound on Loop 281 Sunday morning just before 12;15. They turned around in the intersection of the loop and Gilmer Road. As the drove side by side, the vehicles started to accelerate. That when the officer stopped the cars. Arrested were Victor Javier Estrada-Rodriguez, 31,(pictured) and Luis Fernando Guerrero, 21. The two were arrested for racing on a highway, and booked into the Gregg County Jail

KILGORE – A Henderson man is in custody in Gregg County after leading officers on a Sunday night chase. The police were called to a residence on Queens Court in Longview because Gregory Alan Harris, 61, was there. An emergency protective order had been issued against him earlier this month. Arriving officers saw him driving away and gave chase, taking the officers through Kilgore and into Rusk County. The suspects vehicle wrecked out near the Lake Cherokee bridge. After being treated at a Longview hospital, he was booked into the Gregg County Jail. He is charged with violation of protective order and evading arrest. His bonds total $60,000.

CRANBERRY, Pa. (AP) — Teen clothing retailer rue21 is closing about one-third of its stores nationwide as it focuses more on its online business. The privately held company is shuttering nearly 400 stores, leaving it more than 700 stores in 48 states. Included in the closings is the Tyler store on South Broadway south of Grande Boulevard, and stores in Marshall and Palestine. The Longview and Lufkin stores will remain open. The company didn’t say how soon the stores will close, though its website is promoting store-closing sales

LONGVIEW – The public is being asked to help Longview police in identifying six persons involved in a home invasion. It happened last Tuesday around 3:00am. The armed robbers forced their way into a home on Longmorn Drive and held up two persons. One was described as a black male and another was a white, Hispanic or a light-skinned black male. The others were all wearing hoodies. Their vehicle was described as a 2000s model Chevy or GMC Tahoe or suburban, possibly silver, gold or pewter colored. No other information about the break in is being released at this time. If you have any information about the vehicle or suspects, please contact Detective Chris Bethard at 903-237-1161, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #17-5350.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been jailed after being accused of punching a police officer. Arrested was Dayton Reed Mize, 18. At a Friday night party, he is said to have pulled a knife and threatened several people. After bing asked to leave, the police found in walking in the street with a cut on his wrist. He said he was injured when he fell and cut himself with the knife he was carrying. When they tried to give him medical attention, Mize started running. When they caught him, Mize is said to have hit one officer in the face. After being taken to the hospital for treatment, Mize ws booked into the Gregg County jail on a charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a public servant. His bonds total $100,000.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man wanted for over a month has been jailed. According to KETK, on Saturday, Deputy Cody Matthews received information that a known wanted person identified as Matthew Randall Dixon, 22, was possibly staying at a local motel. Deputies have been looking for Matthew Dixon since March 16, after Matthew evaded in a vehicle leading the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Lufkin Police Department on pursuit through the Fuller Springs area, and eventually crashed through the gate of an apartment complex before running on foot. Deputies Matthews and Wilson responded to the Quality Inn located on Hwy 59 S and were able to locate Matthew Dixon where he was placed under arrest. Matthew was transported to the Angelina County Jail on five warrants.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The parents of five of the 18 students who survived a 3-vehicle accident involving a Mount Pleasant school bus have filed a lawsuit in Titus County. They’re asking for 25 million dollars. According to KETK, the March 24th accident reportedly happened when an 18-wheeler, owned by Rooney Trucking, sideswiped the bus. The bus was traveling back to the school after a track meet in Paris. The lawsuit claims the trucking company was responsible for its employee, Bradley Ray Farmer, Bogard, Missouri, who was driving the truck that “recklessly veered across the highway while operating an 18-wheeler truck into the bus’s lane, sideswiping the driver’s side of the bus and causing it to spin out of control.” Farmer died of his injuries. Continue reading Lawsuit Filed Following Fatal School Bus Wreck

TYLER — One man has been arrested following a shooting early Sunday morning. Dawalus Marquis Hampton, 36, Tyler, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Officers responded to an East Elm Street location around 5:30 a.m. in reference to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon call. A caller in an SUV said shots were being fired from a sedan that was following the caller. A black male fled on foot from the sedan as police arrived. He was not located. Police say the incident may be related to a disturbance that took place earlier at the Wild Bunch Club in Tyler. Hampton was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $70,500.00. He was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and disorderly conduct.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of April 17. 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.

FM 344 is set to close Monday, April 17, at Grove Club Lake just west of SH 110 outside of Whitehouse as the contractor, Red Barron Construction, of Lindale, replaces the culvert and restores the pavement. Drivers will have to take other routes to reach their destinations during this work. The suggested detour has drivers taking FM 756 to FM 346 and back to SH 110. Message boards have been installed advising motorists of the closure. Repairs should take about two months to complete. The cost to replace the culvert is $348,000. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — 25-year-old Deaveron Rakin Dean of Tyler faces a total of 11 charges following a Saturday incident that kept law officers busy for over two hours. Tyler police say officers responded at 1:44 p.m. to Wal-Mart on Troup Highway, where they report Dean was trying to fraudulently return property at the Customer Service counter. Arriving officers say Dean was observed getting into a vehicle and leaving the scene. One officer was at the rear of his vehicle trying to tell him to stop. The other officer was at the front of his vehicle as Dean reportedly drove at the officer, who had to take evasive action. Authorities say Dean continued driving and fled the scene. Continue reading Man Faces Multiple Charges, Accused of Trying to Run Over Officer

TYLER — A new initiative called “Connecting Communities” was announced at the most recent meeting of the Smith County Commissioners Court. Noting that Smith County and the 11 cities within its boundaries represent and service the same citizens, County Judge Nathaniel Moran says it’s important they work together and have close ties and communication. During the meeting, Moran discussed his new initiative, in which the cities will be periodically highlighted during Commissioners Court over the next year. The municipalities are Tyler, Lindale, Whitehouse, Arp, Troup, Bullard, Winona, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Overton, and Hideaway. Continue reading Smith County Launches “Connecting Communities” Initiative