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LONGVIEW — East Texans celebrated the new Longview animal shelter Wednesday. KETK reports shelter donors, Mayor Andy Mack, and city officials gathered to recognize this shelter as a symbol of change in Longview. Mack said the shelter represents the city’s hard work and commitment toward taking better care of animals. Donor Sue Martin said her love for animals inspired her to join in and help. “We knew we had an opportunity to make this happen, so we all got together and everybody gave,” said Martin. It’s just a win-win for Longview and our animals.” The ceremony concluded with donor awards and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

SMITH COUNTY — A suspect wanted for evading arrest in Bullard has been taken into custody. A Bullard officer was attempting to conduct a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon on a car driving erratically when the suspect sped off. Police said the man reached the bridge near FM 756, got out of the car and ran. The car rolled into a creek nearby. Officers eventually called off the search due to the heat. Mason Johnston, 21, Jacksonville, was found walking on CR 113 just after 7:00 and was arrested. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $10,000.

TYLER — West Nile Virus has turned up in a Tyler testing sample. On July 13, Tyler Mosquito Control (TMC) sent routine samples to Austin of mosquitoes collected from areas located throughout the City of Tyler, according to city officials. Results were received on July 19. One sample batch of mosquitoes taken from the 1400 block of Kidd Drive tested positive for West Nile virus. TMC immediately conducted a door-to-door campaign to inform and educate residents in the area about the virus and preventative measures. Continue reading Tyler Mosquito Control Finds West Nile Virus in Testing Sample

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department is offering safety tips during high temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees. When combined with the humidity, the Heat Index will range from 105°F TO 109°F over Southeastern Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, North Louisiana, and East Texas. This will create a situation in which heat-related illnesses are possible. Very high body temperatures can cause severe damage to the brain and other vital organs, and even death. Continue reading Tyler Fire Department Urges Caution during High Heat

TYLER — The outside northbound lane of Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler just south of the Brookshire’s museum is closed to repair a water main break in the area. The City of Tyler Water Service Center states that the water should be back on by 6:00 this evening. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes of travel, if possible, to avoid delays. Those that need to travel in this area are asked to proceed with caution.

PALESTINE — Palestine police are investigating after Blow Vapor Zone was robbed Tuesday morning around 8:00. According to KETK, the victim said while she was working at the business, the robber entered the office where she was sitting and displayed a handgun. She said the suspect ordered her to give him the money. The victim reported that she gave the robber the money she had. The man led her to the bathroom at gunpoint, then locked her in the bathroom, where she stayed for approximately 20 minutes before calling police. The victim said she was the only person inside the business during the robbery. The thief left the location with an undisclosed amount of money. Continue reading Palestine Police Investigate Robbery

ATHENS — The board of trustees at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens have announced Dr. Jerry King is the finalist for the position of President of the college. King was named President Pro Tem for the school in May. The post became vacant in late April when school trustees suspended president Glendon Forgey. He later submitted his resignation. Trustees are scheduled to meet with Dr. King during Monday night’s meeting. No action is scheduled to be taken. When named President Pro Tem, King was serving as the school’s Vice president of Instruction. He has been with the school since 1975, serving in a variety of positions. He was even Mayor of Athens for for 10 years, starting in 1995.

KILGORE — Kilgore College will hold a public ceremony July 28 to officially re-open the Randolph C. Watson Library and dedicate the new Mike Miller Plaza on the Kilgore campus. The grand re-opening and dedication are set for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in front of the library. Refreshments will be served and tours of the renovated library will be available, according to a KC news release. Built in in 1967, the library underwent a $2 million redesign and renovation over the last year with Transet Co. serving as project manager. Continue reading Grand Re-Opening of Library, Dedication of Mike Miller Plaza Set for July 28

TYLER — Oakwood Cemetery was given a grant from Historic Tyler Incorporated. With the money, they used new technology to find unmarked graves. According to KETK, in the cemetery there’s white spray paint on the grass, marking areas where they think hidden graves are located. They think they’ve found more than 170 unmarked graves. They say the grant has helped them define the cemetery’s past a little better. The Oakwood Cemetery was established in 1846. There’s a lot of history inside the grave site. The Oakwood Cemetery restoration committee said it’s their mission to uncover some of that history. They received grant money to use ground penetrating radar technology. With the money, they’ve been able to detect old graves that were unmarked.

TROUP — An East Texas woman is said to be in stable condition after a near-drowning. It happened around 9:00 Tuesday morning in Troup. According to KETK, the woman was swimming in the family pool when she lost consciousness. First responders were able to respond quickly and stabilized the woman. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has named Dr. Julie Delello director of its Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Delello is a UT Tyler School of Education faculty member with more than 20 years of experience as a practicing K-16 educator and administrator. She will oversee the center which promotes campus conversations among faculty regarding teaching and learning which are inspired by new developments in higher education. Members of UT Tyler’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers will assist Delello as center advisers.

HARRISON COUNTY – A Gregg County man has died in a one vehicle accident in Harrison County. Pronounced dead at the scene was 24 year old Cody Ryan Rittermeyer of Longview. The Department of Public Safety says his car left the road and he over corrected. The car then rolled. The accident happened around 10:30 Monday night on a service road of Interstate Highway 20 near mile marker 597.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court Tuesday selected Nathaniel Moran as acting county judge following the recent suspension of Judge Joel Baker. KETK reports Moran is an attorney with the Ramey & Flock firm. His current practice involves both transactional work and litigation. His primary areas of practice revolve around representing businesses. Moran will take the oath of office Friday. Continue reading Nathaniel Moran Named Interim Smith County Judge

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Officials have recovered the body of a drowning victim from Lake Jacksonville. Officials said around 7:00 Sunday night, a young man was swimming near the concession too close to the dam when he went under. His body was recovered less than an hour later. The victim was later identified as Mario D’Andre Burns, 23, Athens.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating two armed robberies. Officials said an armed suspect reportedly robbed the Valero gas station, 1301 WSW Loop 323, around 9:30 last night. According to the clerk, a Hispanic man wearing a blue hoodie, jeans, and something covering his face had displayed a handgun and demanded money. He fled the scene with an unknown amount of cash. Authorities said about 10 minutes later, they received a report of another armed robbery at the Food Fast, 5120 Old Jacksonville Highway. The suspect’s description was the same as the previous. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken. No injuries were reported. Contact police with any information.

LONGVIEW — Edwards Moving and Rigging of Shelbyville, Ky., is reminding motorists to avoid the route of a convoy that will be wrapping up its trip through East Texas today as it heads to the Eastman plant in Longview. The company began moving a very tall cold box from The Port of Caddo-Bossier, La., Friday at 9:00 a.m. According to a news release from the company, the convoy of men and equipment will average 5 mph again tosday. This super load is much like the one the company transported in July 2015 and will travel the same route. Continue reading Super Load Embarks on Final Leg of Trip to Longview

WINONA – A weekend accident in Smith County has killed a Dallas man. The vehicle/pedestrian accident occurred shortly after 3:45 Sunday morning on Interstate Highway 20, about 5 1/2 miles southeast of Winona. Dead at the scene was Reginald Erwin, 40. He was struck by a car driven by a Longview teenager, Daisy Alavarez. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark reports the car was heading east on the interstate when it swerved to avoid an accident in the roadway and hit the pedestrian.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are looking for a man reported missing over the weekend. Frank Ellis Jr., 27, of Marshall, was reported missing last Saturday by his girlfriend. The last time anyone spoke with Ellis was on the telephone last Wednesday. He is said to stand 5’9″ and weighs around 172 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. It’s not known what Ellis was wearing when he disappeared. If you know where Ellis can be found, you are asked to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575. You can also call Marshall/Harrison County Crimestoppers at 903-935-9969.

AUSTIN – The Smith County Bar Association has walked off with one of the awards during the State Bar of Texas Bar Leaders Conference. At last weekend’s Houston conference, the Smith County Bar Association was recognized for its access to justice efforts. This includes more than 100 of its members volunteering to assist pro bono clients. The association contracts with a volunteer coordinator who manages more than 35 active pro bono cases each month.

MARSHALL – One person is in custody in connection with a weekend robbery in Marshall. The holdup occurred around noon on Sunday at the EZ-Mart at 2507 West Pinecrest. A witness followed the suspect, relaying information to authorities. Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool located the vehicle at Highway 43 South near Cave Springs Road and a chase followed. Spikes across the road caused the suspect’s car to crash into a yard. After a brief foot chase, Broderick Maximillian McHenry, 31, of Shreveport was arrested. He’s facing a variety of charges including aggravated robbery and evading arrest.

TROUP — The suspect wanted in a Troup homicide has been arrested. According to KETK, Joshua Scales was wanted in connection to the shooting death of Jordan Richard LaDue, 30, on July 14. Scales was arrested Sunday around 3:15 in Reklaw at a relative’s house. He was caught as he was trying to crawl out of a back window of the house. Troup PD was assisted by the US Marshals fugitive task force, DPS and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested without incident and booked into Cherokee County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving an over decade old missing person’s case. They are looking for help in finding Fredrick Joseph Boehm, who was last seen in January 2001. Known as “Little Joe,” Boehm was last seen walking on Victory Drive after receiving a late night phone call. When he disappeared he was wearing a camouflage jacket, gray shirt, blue jeans and boots. Boehm, who would be 38 now, is described as a white male 6’0, 130 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Continue reading Marshall PD Continues to Seek Long-Missing Man

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of July 18. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. In Tyler, US 271 will be closed from Oakwood Street to Spur 147 from July 21 to July 24 for pavement repairs. Motorists will have to use temporary detours to get around the closure. Message boards are in place to alert traffic to this upcoming change along the project limits. Additional project information is available in the Smith County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT Issues Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — The countdown to the 2016 Texas Rose Festival is underway following Friday evening’s kickoff, and Rose Queen Mallory Kristine Curtis is more than ready for the big autumn event. “I love it,” says Mallory. “I love to meet new people, and I love the tradition of it all. I think it’s very special.” She adds, “Everyone loves it, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s also a lot of work, but it all is worth it in the end.” Pointing out the Tyler community’s extensive involvement in the festival, Mallory says, “Well, we have so much volunteerism and sponsorships, so people are…very generous in donating time and money.” She adds that she’s thoroughly enjoyed promoting the festival’s history and impact since the beginning of the year. Continue reading Rose Festival Queen Looks ahead to Big Event

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has received a federal grant to enhance advanced nurse practitioner programming. The grant is from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Over the three year period of the grant, it is anticipated just over $2 million will come to the university. With the funds, the university will partner with local and area clinics to further develop UT Tyler students as nurse practitioners. The Initial partners are the Cherokee County Health Department, Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Special Health Resources and Walmart Clinics.

TYLER — As part of Tyler’s 2016 asphalt enhancement project, RNK is temporarily closing water valves located along North Glass Avenue to replace a two-inch water main. Today’s repair affects North Glass Avenue from West 25th Street south to the dead end. The work began at 8 this morning and is scheduled to continue till 5 p.m. After the water main has been replaced, residents are asked to run their water briefly before using it to clear the line of any air. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes of travel, if possible, to avoid delays. Caution is also advised when driving in this area. Continue reading Water Temporarily Shut Off along North Glass Avenue