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SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Responsibility was recently made aware of an alleged improper sexual relationship between a detention officer and an inmate in the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, the detention officer was identified as Amanda Gayle Megrail, 25, from Lindale. This relationship was determined to be a criminal offense and an investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office. Megrail was immediately placed on Administrative Leave without pay, while waiting for the outcome of this investigation. Smith County investigators presented an arrest warrant affidavit to 241st State District Judge Jack Skeen on September 18, 2020. Judge Skeen later also issued an arrest warrant for the criminal offense of Violation of the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody, a state jail felony and set a bond of $50,000. Continue reading Detention officer arrested for alleged sexual relationship with inmate

TYLER — The 2020 Peace of Mind Conference will take place virtually this year. The online event will be on October 2 from 8:45 am until 2:00 pm. This year marks the 7th annual conference entitled: “Mental Health and a Nation in Crisis.” Peace of Mind will feature 4 sessions: the first 2 will be the stories of individuals: Session 3 will focus on the way technology is improving mental health. The last will feature a discussion of how faith plays a role in mental wellness during times of crisis. Get more information by clicking the link. https://sccet.org/index.php/event/peace-of-mind-2020/.

TYLER — The Louise Herrington Cancer Center, at the Bradley-Thompson at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances opened in Tyler on Friday. Administrators say the new space will allow patients to have a place with higher nurse awareness and a lower nurse-to-patient ratio.The cancer center was named in memory after Tyler philanthropist Louise Herrington. The ceremony also included the announcement that CHRISTUS TMF and Texas Oncology will build a new outpatient treatment and research center, to be named Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute. Construction will begin in the next three to four months, with an anticipated opening of summer 2022.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville family plans to gather this weekend in a prayer rally for a missing 18-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Tyress Gipson was last seen in late August. Since then, four people have been arrested in connection with his disappearance and charged with aggravated kid-napping. The family says they will work with police to possibly start a search team to find Gipson, wanting to follow the right steps in bringing him home. The prayer rally will happen at Nichols Green Park on Saturday.

ATHENS — Two people connected to Payne Springs City Hall in Henderson County have been arrested for abuse of office and forgery. A press release from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of City Council member Michael Steven Juica, 66, and Karen Juica, 59. The arrests came about after an initial investigation by the three law-enforcement agencies, which is on-going. In addition to being a sitting member of the city council. Michael Juica was also supervisor for maintenance of vehicles. Karen Juica, was the former City Judge and current City Secretary, those duties were suspended as the exploration unfolded.

ATHENS — Henderson County Sheriff’s officers have arrested Jeremy Bermea, 39, for possession of child pornography. Investigators received a tip in reference to possible child porn at Bermea’s residence outside of Athens. On Thursday, authorities went to the location, Bermea was not home. However, he was located in Athens and arrested. According to a press release from HCSO, Bermea admitted to child pornography being on devices belonging to him. He awaits arraignment in the Henderson County Jail.

TYLER — Eight local community artists are working with Keep Tyler Beautiful to repaint the mural along South Loop 323. The site falls between Fry Avenue and New Copeland Road. The previous mural featuring 520 feet of colorful roses was painted in 2011 by students from multiple Tyler high schools, but has now faded. Priming the wall and cleaning of the area has already begun. Outlining of the new design was set to start Thursday, weather permitting, and painting will follow. The completion is anticipated in October. KTB will also add a new mural at Emmett J. Scott Park on newly renovated restrooms. A second new park mural will happen at Woldert Park on the electrical box near the new splash pad.

TYLER – Shobhit Gupta, recently opened his front door to applause from Tyler ISD administrators who were there to let the Tyler Legacy High School senior know he was selected to receive National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist honors. Gupta now joins less than one percent of high school seniors in the nation to earn the recognition. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students reaching the Semifinals level are those with the highest scores in the state. Finalists will be named in February will receive scholarship funds in one of three different scholarship levels.

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials in the Florida Keys say a 64-year-old Texas man died during a diving trip. Officials say Blake Willis, of Trinidad, Texas, was unconscious when crew members from the Sea Dwellers Dive Center removed him from the water on Wednesday. Willis was taking part in a dive on the SS Benwood Wreck off of Key Largo. Officials say the crew began CPR immediately. Willis was taken to shore, where paramedics were waiting. He was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later. Autopsy results are pending, the sheriff’s office said.

TYLER — A Tyler man charged with capital murder was in court Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Harvey Louis Martin allegedly confessed to shooting Krista Newman, 25, of Frankston, and Caleb McGrady, 26, in December 2018. Smith County prosecutor Heath Chamness told the court he anticipates a March trial date. During the 20-minute hearing, he explained that DNA testing had been completed, but that it is going through a review process at the lab, which is required in capital murder cases. The March date allows the entire testing process time to play out and gives ample time for the defense to file any new motions. Martin’s trial was scheduled for August of this year, but was pushed back due to the coronavirus.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District’s visual arts program has been rewarded as the 2020 Texas Art Education Association District of Distinction Award. According to a media release from the district, over 1,000 school districts were eligible to apply in 2020 for the award, but only 42 earned the honor that integrates a visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity in students. The districts were judged on a 12 point rubric that included components like community service, art display opportunities and arts integration. Continue reading TISD is recognized by TEA

TYLER — DPS troopers responded to the Cherokee County Airport at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after a hard landing collapsed the landing gear of a Piper Malibu Mirage. Investigators report the plane, with tail number N972DD, experienced a stall, close to the runway. The aircraft came to rest on the runway, the pilot Bradley Charles Thomas, 45, of Richardson and instructor, Benjamin Case, 26, of Jacksonville were uninjured. The FAA has been notified.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly firing multiple gunshots from inside his motel room. According to a press brief from LPD, officers responded to a motel on Spur 63 following multiple shots being fired at 3:45 a.m. When police arrived, they found the room door, riddled with bullet holes. Jerome Waits, 52, refused to come out. He was alone. Police eventually talked him into exiting around 7:30 a.m. No injuries were reported and Waits was taken to Gregg County Jail. He is charged with deadly conduct discharge of a firearm.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Division of Emergency Management is offering free COVID-19 testing in Van Zandt County, Thursday through Saturday. Testing in Van will be Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on West Main Street. Testing will be available in Wills Point Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., on North Fourth Street. Organizers say that symptoms are not required to be tested at either location. Appointments are not necessary, however, pre-registration is available by clicking the link. https://texas.curativeinc.com/welcome. The are 548 positive cases reported in Van Zandt County, with 446 recoveries, and 18 deaths.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol Troopers have rescued their 500th child during a traffic stop. On Wednesday, Sgt. Jean Dark told KTBB, “The IPC, Interdiction for the Protection of Children program trains officers to spot indicators that a child may be a victim or is at risk of becoming a victim, and that includes children who are missing, exploited, at-risk or are some way endangered.” IPC marked its 10th anniversary in 2019. Continue reading DPS records 500th child rescue

KILGORE — For the first time in 3 and a half decades, the only professional theatre in East Texas has a new artistic director. Kilgore College hired Texas Shakespeare Festival veteran Meaghan Simpson to lead the organization following the Aug. 31 retirement of its founding artistic director, Raymond Caldwell. Simpson has stepped into her new role after coming on board in 2013 as TSF’s associate artistic director and associate casting director. She was initially hired to join the acting company in 2009 and has since served as an actor in more than 20 productions. Continue reading Simpson selected to lead Texas Shakespeare Festival in theatre’s 35th year

MARSHALL — A new Starbucks is coming to Marshall. The new coffee house will be located on East End Blvd North in Marshall. City Manager Mark Rohr stated, “we are very pleased with the results of the city’s commercial, economic development focus. I said early on, the key element to improving Marshall is growing the tax base, and it’s happening.” The national company originated in 1971, at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, almost 50 years later, the chain has more than 30,000 retail stores in over 80 markets.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum announced the first Downtown Historic Longview Walking Tour. The date has been secured for the first Saturday in October, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The walking tours begin at the Gregg County Historical Museum on North Fredonia Street, and is 1.2 miles in length. For more information check out the museum website at http://www.gregghistorical.org.

TYLER – Tyler ISD announced the death of former educator and longtime trustee, Therelee Washington on Tuesday. In a press release from the district stated that Mr. Washington’s educational career in Tyler ISD spanned more than 23 years followed by 19 years of service on the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees. “Our community has lost a leader and friend in Therelee Washington,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “His heart for student success as an educator, board member, and community member impacted the lives of many, and he will be greatly missed.” Continue reading Longtime TISD leader Washington dies

TYLER — East Texas nurses will be honored by The University of Texas at Tyler with an around-the-clock appreciation event starting Wednesday. According to a press release from the school, University Representatives will be at Tyler hospitals for 24 hrs, during all shifts, to hand-out tokens of appreciation and commemorate the hard work of nurses. The event will run from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday. UT-Tyler will recognize 8 different campuses to show their appreciation for their continued diligence during the COVID-19 crisis. Continue reading UT Tyler to honor nurses with 24 hr celebration

KILGORE — The Director of Transportation for East Texas Council of Governments, Vince Huerta, was recently commemorated by the Texas Transit Association. On Tuesday Huerta told KTBB, “It’s a team accomplishment. The staff should be the ones receiving the award.” Huerta continued,”We are here to serve the community, we are public transit on the rural side of things. So certainly anyone can ride the bus.” More information can be found by clicking the link. https://www.gobustransit.com/. Notable accomplishments during his tenure include a 40% increase in ridership since 2018. Continue reading GoBus highlights expanded service in Smith County

HENDERSON — Henderson ISD announced that their game against Spring Hill ISD, scheduled for Friday, has been canceled. The district announced the move on a social media post. Henderson High School moved to online learning on Monday and will continue that trek for the next two weeks. All other campuses remain open for in-person learning. Kaufman canceled with Henderson last week. HISD did confirm the game was rescinded by Spring Hill due to COVID-19 concerns.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) announced Glenn Green as their new Executive Director on Tuesday. Green is a Tyler native and has over 35 years with TxDOT, “I want people in the region to know and understand that we are not just a toll road operator, we’re not just a toll road authority, we have unique capabilities and many more tools, to finance and to bring needed transportation projects to fruition in the area.” Continue reading NET RMA announces Green as new Executive Director

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of having 3,500 images of child pornography on his phone has been indicted by a Smith County grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, James Edward Clement, 38, was indicted last month, according to court records. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $300,000 bond. According to an arrest warrant obtained by KETK, detectives began investigating back in April after multiple tips were received with various images of child pornography. After issuing subpoenas to Suddenlink Communications, they were able to track down Clements due to his phone number and email address. Continue reading Tyler man indicted on child porn charges