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EAST TEXAS — Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed two people with roots in our region to the Early Childhood Education and Care Task Force. The task force was launched Jan. 20 to improve the quality, access and affordability of child care for families. According to our news partner KETK, Jeff Austin III of Whitehouse and Nancy Windham of Nacogdoches, were among 11 others named to the task force.

Austin received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Business as well as a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Tyler. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, SMU’s Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Banking Leadership Texas and Leadership Tyler. Austin is currently the chairman of the Board of Austin Bank Texas N.A. and Austin Bancorp.

Windham attended Stephen F. Austin State University and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, and also studied basic industrial development at Texas A&M University. Currently, she is the Regional Economic Development Advisor of the Texas Forest Country Partnership.

Abbott also said, “The real reason why we passed this bill, the real reason why we’re having this announcement today, is because of the importance of helping parents across the entire state be able to access quality and affordable early child care and child education for their children,” .

LUFKIN – More information has been released following the arrest of a Lufkin pediatrician, George Fidone, who killed one person in a car crash while driving intoxicated in January. According to his arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK, the crash occurred Jan. 17 on a two-lane road between the 3900 block and 4000 block of College Drive and FM 819. The crash involved a white Mercedes-Benz driven by Fidone and a black Kia Forte.

Lufkin police officers were dispatched after receiving a call stating there was a car crash and a potential fatality. Once on the scene, officers found Fidone’s car on the shoulder of the southbound lane facing northbound. His car sustained extensive damage to the front left side and multiple airbags were deployed, according to the affidavit.

After officers observed Fidone walking near his vehicle, they checked the Kia’s occupants and found the passenger slumped over and the driver, D. Marcus Hadnot, slumped over the steering wheel, motionless. A dog was also found inside the Kia, deceased, and was later picked up by animal control. Continue reading Pediatrician charged with manslaughter

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Tuesday evening shooting at the Southwest Pines apartment complex on Walton Road. According to Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, and our news partner KETK, the victim reportedly tried to drive himself to the hospital but crashed. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. The condition of the victim is unknown. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — Crews responded to a house fire west of Tyler near State Highway 31 on Tuesday night, forcing a family of 10 to evacuate. According to Smith County Emergency Services District 2 spokesperson Nikki Simmons and our news partner KETK, the fire started on the back porch of a home in the 9700 block of Hill N. Dale Road. The flames quickly spread from the porch into the attic and firefighters were forced to take a defensive approach upon arrival.

Simmons said homeowners alerted first responders that a gun safe containing ammunition was inside the home, which is an important safety concern for firefighters on scene.

The family was able to move their vehicles away from the house before the fire spread further. No injuries were reported and crews were able to contain the flames.

The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate the cause of the fire.

ANDERSON COUNTY – The state has been granted a 60-day extension to determine the future of Robert Roberson’s case. According to court documents and our news partner KETK, the state requested a 60-day extension before returning to court, citing the trial’s unprecedented nature and that Roberson’s prior conviction was based on flawed science.

The state also requested the extension, claiming that the lead counsel has been unable to give the case their full attention because they are working on other capital cases with death sentences.

Roberson’s attorney, Gretchen Sween, is pleading with the Anderson County District Court to deny the state’s request, stating that it exposes the weakness of the plaintiffs’ position after they had months to file an answer.

“The state’s request for yet more delay does not make sense,” court documents said. “It relies on a mischaracterization of the history and posture of this case,” Sween stated. “The state has long been on notice of the basis of Mr. Roberson’s remanded claim and further delay is wholly unjustified.” Continue reading State granted 60-day extension

OVERTON — An Overton ISD coach has been taken into custody and is facing allegations of causing harm to a student during a basketball practice. According to a probable cause warrant from Rusk County, the victim allegedly performed a basketball play incorrectly, resulting in an injury inflicted by Head Girls Basketball Coach Zachariary Griffin.

Surveillance footage captured Griffin approaching the student, where he grabbed and twisted her ear, forcing her head to the left. While still holding her ear, he reportedly moved several feet around the basketball court and aggressively twisted both of her ears, causing the victim to stand on her tiptoes. A teacher, who witnessed the incident, approached the victim to see if she was okay, but the victim kept crying in pain. The document states that the girl then informed her parents that her ears were burning, appeared bloodshot and had experienced pain throughout the day. Continue reading Coach charged after allegedly injuring student

SMITH COUNTY – At approximately 12:20 a.m. on Sunday, Smith County dispatchers received a call reporting a residence on fire Valleyview Ridge near Dean Road in rural Smith County.
Fire crews responded to the location to extinguish the fire and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.

The home was occupied by four residents and the fire started in the attic space near the chimney, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported. The fire was contained to the immediate area around the chimney, but significant damage was done to the home. The cause of the fire was accidental due to fire escaping from the chimney into the attic of the residence while the fireplace was being used, Hogue said.

At about 6 a.m. another emergency call was received, reporting the same residence fully engulfed with fire. The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated and determined this fire was a rekindle of the previous fire. The structure was a total loss and no injuries were reported, Hogue said.

The Red Cross was contacted and is assisting the displaced residents.

TYLER – Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats throughout February with a donation of 12 new white towels. The standard adoption fee is $120 for dogs and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. If you would like to adopt, see all available pets for adoption, or submit an application, visit the Tyler Animal Services webpage.
 

ATHENS – An Athens ISD (AISD) teacher and basketball coach was arrested after marijuana and a firearm were found in his vehicle. According to a report from the district, the unidentified staff member was taken into custody on Monday morning and was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Our news partners at KETK had this excerpt from an AISD statement: “Athens ISD is committed to upholding the highest level of integrity as a matter of public trust,” the district said. “We appreciate the response of our staff and school resource officers and will continue to cooperate fully as the matter moves forward.”

TYLER – After violating his probation, Patrick Mahomes Sr., the father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Smith County Jail. Our news partner KETK reports that Mahomes Sr. was arrested after breaking his probation, according to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. On February 3, 2024, he was arrested in Tyler for driving under the influence.

MOUNT PLEASANT – CHRISTUS Health held the grand opening of their new Mount Pleasant facility Monday, February 2. The 33,500-square-foot facility will feature a 15-bed emergency department with state-of-the-art imaging and onsite laboratory, along with full-service imaging and lab. It will also have a dedicated dedicated clinic space that will house providers in primary care, outpatient physical therapy, and cardiology with space designated for visiting specialists