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TYLER – A Van Zandt County man has been indicted in Smith County for running a gambling operation. The indictment against John Christopher Borgstedt, 38, of Ben Wheeler. He was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity. He was arrested in late November for running a gambling operation in the 800 block of Lindsey Lane. A couple of weeks later, authorities found five illegal gambling devices at the Valero Gas Station on the Chandler Highway at Loop 323. Several more gambling devices were found at a location near the intersection of Loop 323 and Commerce Street.

TYLER – The Smith County Grand Jury has indicted four persons in connection with a February Tyler Robbery. The four are Keelan Rashod Smith, 21, Harley Dee Linton, 21, Kendrick Shaun Warfield, 22 and Terryaun Lamar Rodgers, 22.(pictured) They were arrested in with the help of the the US Marshal’s Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. They are accused of robbing a person they contacted by way of the social media to buy a car. When the victim arrived, they pulled guns and robbed him.

SMITH COUNTY — Two East Texas women have been sentenced to prison for murder. According to KETK, Rebecca Bond, 38, Tyler, pleaded guilty to last year’s murder of Luis Martinez, 62, Tyler. As part of a plea agreement, Judge Christi Kennedy sentenced Bond (pictured) to 50 years in prison. Also on Thursday, Laurie Perry, 56, Chandler, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for tampering with physical evidence. The body of Martinez was found in a cemetery in the Anitoch Community September 23. Continue reading East Texas Women Sentenced to Prison for Murder

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County officials are investigating a murder after a man was found dead Thursday evening. According to KETK, officers responded to a welfare check on Holly Road around 6:00 and discovered the body of the man who lived in the house. Further investigation revealed that foul play was involved in the man’s death. The victim has been identified James Earl Robinson. His body has been sent to Tyler for autopsy. Officials have arrested a man in connection with the homicide. He’s Clinton Ray Allen. For now, he’s been charged with public intoxication. Upshur County officials say they plan on questioning him about the murder.

TYLER – In Tyler Thursday night, Arts in Education Awards were presented to 6 teachers by Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. The awards honored the teacher for their service to the visual arts. For her years of commitment to her students and the arts, Tyler ISD art teacher Carolyn Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award.The Distinguished Service to the Profession Award, honors teachers who have given back to their own art form. The honoree in this category is, Kimberley Funderburk, Theatre Director at Carthage High School. Continue reading Teachers Honored in Tyler

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man has been arrested on drug charges. Kimo L. McClain, 26, was arrested at a home on Glover Drive. That’s where members of the the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and officers of the the Special Investigations and Apprehensions Unit, executed a search warrant. McClain has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and theft of a firearm. He’s now in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $116,000.

TYLER – A project that caused Reed Road to be closed has been completed. The road was closed for installation of a culvert drainage pipe. The city has announced that the Reed Road drainage culvert project in southeast Tyler is complete and the road was reopened to traffic Thursday afternoon.

LONGVIEW – A Kilgore man is heading to prison for a home burglary last spring. State District Judge Alfonso Charles sentenced 55 year old Robin Bernard Giddings to 35 years in prison. A home owner on Post Oak Road in Kilgore surprised Giddings in his home late last May. The Longview News Journal reports A sheriffs deputy saw Giddings walking in the area. When he tried to arrest him, Giddings broke free and ran. His flight was stopped by the deputy, who shot him with a stun gun.

TYLER – Economic development was strong in Tyler in 2016. But, 2017 could even be better. That message was delivered Thursday at the Tyler Economic Development Council’s annual Investors and Contributors Luncheon. Just last month, Sanderson Farms announced it was looking at northern Smith County and southern Wood County to construct a $200 million dollar feed mill, hatchery, poultry processing plant, and wastewater treatment facility. At full capacity, the complex will employ 1,700 people, will require 80 contract growers, and will be equipped to process and sell 375 million pounds of dressed poultry meat annually. Continue reading 2017 Could Be a Banner Year for the Tyler Economy

MARSHALL – Three Marshall men have been indicted in the theft of copper wire from a utilities substation. The mean are Jeffrey Dean McCreary, 46, (pictured) Shawn Bradley Brown, 35, and Christopher Michael Parker, 43. The Longview News Journal reports the three were charges of theft of material/copper and criminal mischief, with the charges for McCreary and Parker enhanced. They were arrested in February for stealing copper wire which left more than 1,000 Panola-Harrison Electric Co-Op customers without power

TYLER – Some of Tyler’s religious leaders held a news conference Thursday to endorse the Tyler School District’s $198 million bond issue. The bond proposal on the May 6th ballot is for renovations at John Tyler and Robert E Lee high schools. The group announced they were supporting the bond package for several reasons; it would keep the kids and teachers safe, revitalize the two high schools, would remove the portables from both campuses and every student would benefit. If the proposal passes, the tax rate for a home valued at $155,000 would increase by $39 a year.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been arrested on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to KETK, Jessie Lee Shurum Jr., 41, was arrested by the United States Marshal Service Wednesday night. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on $500,000 bond. Additional details were not available.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Wednesday after police said he pointed a gun and threatened to shoot someone and later tried to swallow a handful of marijuana. According to KETK, Ramsey Orion Torres, 18, was charged with tamper/fabricate physical evidence with intent to impair, possession of marijuana measuring less than 2 ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police were called about midnight Wednesday to the McDonald’s in the 100 block of Loop 281 in reference to a man who pointed a gun and threatened to shoot the caller. Continue reading Longview Teen Jailed on Multiple Charges

TYLER — Tyler ISD will hold two more Community Forums, including one Thursday evening, to present information to the public on proposed Bond 2017 projects. Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford, Director of Facilities Tim Loper, and other Tyler ISD administrators will present the information and answer questions. The bond package provides for remodeling & additions to John Tyler High School & Robert E. Lee High School. According to the Tyler ISD website, approximately 5,000 students will be in new or renovated spaces. Continue reading Two Community Forums Remaining on TISD Bond Proposal

TOPEKA, Kansas(AP/STAFF) Shoe chain Payless ShoeSource has released the list of the 400 stores they will be closing. Only one of them is in northeast Texas. According to the Payless web site, The Jacksonville store is only store in our area on that list. In Texas, 172 stores will be shuttered by the company. The Topeka, Kansas-based retailer said that it will be immediately closing the nearly 400 stores as part of the reorganization. Shoppers are increasingly shifting their buying online or going to discount stores like T.J. Maxx to grab deals on designer brands. That shift has hurt traditional retailers, even low-price outlets like Payless.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been sentenced to 10 years probation in connection with a July 2015 wreck that killed another man. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report, Markus Glenn Edmond, 25, was sentenced to 10 years probation and 180 days in the county jail for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle resulting in the death of Luster Laray Mitchell, 24. District Judge Alfonso Charles added a condition that Edmond also spend 48 hours in the Gregg County Jail one weekend every late July, around the anniversary of the fatal wreck, until he completes 100 total hours — which will take at least three years. Markus also was fined $2,500 and must complete 480 hours of community work service. Continue reading Longview Man Gets Probation, Other Penalties in Fatal Wreck

TYLER – A Tyler man, Michael C. Coleman, 19, has been arrested in the robbery of an individual. Around noon on Wednesday, police officer Chuck Barber saw a black man running toward a man walking on the sidewalk along West Gentry Parkway. As the officer was circling the block to investigate, he was stopped by a person who said the black man had hit the other man over the head with a brick and stole his wallet. The officer first chased the suspect in his car and then on foot. Coleman was arrested on West Queen Street. He was booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with Aggravated Robbery. The victim was identified as Michael R. Taggart, 20, of Tyler. He did not require medical attention. Officers at the scene were told that Taggart knew Coleman and had just left his residence prior to the robbery .

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police are investigating a shooting that they say resulted from a road rage incident — and involved a law officer from out of town. Around 4:26 Tuesday afternoon, police answered a call to the McDonald’s restaurant on South Jackson Street. According to Chief of Police Andrew Hawkes, Kaneisha Boseman, 26, tried to run over other people in the parking lot. Hawkes says that’s when one of the people, an off-duty Palestine police officer, fired a round to protect herself and a child. No one was injured. Continue reading One in Custody after Road Rage Incident, Shooting

UNION GROVE – For the second time in a week, a murder investigation is underway in Upshur County. Miranda Streed, 23, was killed early Tuesday in a shooting that Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb said is being investigated as a homicide, according to the Longview News-Journal. Webb said his office received a call just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday about a shooting in the 100 block of Private Road 3367 in Union Grove. Arriving deputies found Streed dead. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Wyone Manes ordered an autopsy of Streed’s body. No arrests had been made in the case as of about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and Webb said the investigation is ongoing. Continue reading Homicide Investigation Underway in Union Grove

CANTON — Schools in the Canton ISD will be open again on Wednesday. A water main break caused cancellation for the entire school district Tuesday. The district reported there was a major water leak in the city and the water had to be shut off completely in order for repairs to be made.

KILGORE – One person is dead and one critically injured in a Monday night stabbing. It began with a report of a man seen dragging a woman into a home on Leake Street. When officers arrived, they found Maria Carolina Alveraz, 24, of Kilgore, dead from a large cut on her neck. Juan C. Vazquez, 27, of Kilgore, was suffering from a cut to his neck, a cut to his wrist, and several stab wounds to his body. He was flown to a Tyler hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The investigation is continuing.

SEVEN POINTS – An assault suspect is in custody in Henderson County. John Hefley, 46, was arrested following a search by a contingent of law officers, including a canine, led by Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. Hefley was arrested near the scene of the crime, on Henderson County Road 2101 North of Seven Points. He also had an outstanding warrant against him. He is being held on a charge of assault family violence and for a parole violation for assault family violence.

DALLAS – Federal authorities, including officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have arrested criminal aliens and others throughout North Texas and Oklahoma, including Smith County. The arrests were part of a three-day enforcement action which ended Monday. Arrested were 75 persons between the ages of 18 and 61. Seven of those who were arrested were from the Tyler area. Among those arrested in the two state sweep, 52 were foreign nationals who had had prior criminal convictions. Their criminal histories included aggravated assault, child abuse, drug violations, reckless conduct with a firearm and illegal entry.

WHITEHOUSE – After over six months of construction, the new bridge constructed on County Road 2138 (Black Jack Road) is complete and the road is once again open. According to Smith County Engineer Frank Davis, the bridge, south of Whitehouse, was designated as a load zoned bridge and was narrow, restricting the use by heavy vehicles. The bridge was replaced by the Texas Department of Transportation through the Highway Bridge Program. The program is funded through the federal government to replace bridges that are restricted or substandard.

PALESTINE – A Leon County man is facing a variety of charges after a high speed ambulance chase. Armando Vinaja, 18, was brought to Palestine Regional Medical Center Saturday after a state trooper found in lying in a Leon County ditch. Authorities say he left the hospital and stole a hospital ambulance. He led authorities on a chase that neared speeds of 100 miles an hour. He was arrested after he jumped from the ambulance after it hit a cub and the motor died. Vinaja is charged with DWI, reckless driving, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest. His bonds total $115,000.

LONGVIEW – Nine new Longview police officers are hitting the streets. Municipal Court Judge Larry Merriman administered the oath Monday. Then, the new officer badges were pinned on by their family and friends. Over the next 18 weeks, the new officers will be training with veteran officers. When that training is complete, they will complete the department’s 172 officer staff. The department will be at full force for the first time in several years. Just a couple of years ago, there were 18 vacant positions on the police force.

TYLER — Tyler Police were called out to Kensington Place Apartments on Paluxy Drive in reference to several reports of shots fired Monday night. Witness said a dark SUV might have been involved. One individual was outside when the shooting took place and pointed officers in the direction of four vehicles that had been shot. Officers were able locate at least two dozen expended cartridges, from two different types of weapons. Several buildings were also struck. No injuries reported. The case is under investigation. It’s unknown if the person outside was the target or the vehicles. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police immediately by calling 911 or 903-531-1000. You may also contact Smith County Tyler Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

LONGVIEW – The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Longview Regional Medical Center has been recognized with a national award for clinical excellence. The center at LRMC achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months. This includes patient satisfaction higher than 92%, and a wound healing rate of at least 91% in less than 31 median days. Out of 630 Centers eligible for the Center of Distinction award, 334 achieved this honor in 2017. Continue reading Longview Hospital Gets National Recognition

TYLER – Texas Spine & Joint Hospital announced it is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2017 Patient Safety Excellence Award. This designation recognizes superior performance in hospitals that have prevented the occurrence of serious, potentially avoidable complications for patients during hospital stays. The award places Texas Spine & Joint Hospital among the top 10% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data. Continue reading Patient Safety Excellence Award for Texas Spine & Joint Hospital

LONGVIEW – A state district court judge is stepping down when his term ends. At the end of 2018, 188th District Court Judge David Brabham is retiring after 21 years on the bench. Braham told KETK, “I’m ready to move on, but I do love the work. What I’ll miss the most is the people. The relationships you make coming to work every day is what I’ll miss most.” He is only the third judge in the history of the 188th District Court.