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ATHENS — A Mabank woman accused of shooting and killing her daughters has been sentenced to life without parole. According to our news partner KETK, Sarah Henderson, 31, pleaded guilty in the November 2017 deaths of 5- and 7-year-old KayLee and Kenlie Henderson. Police found the daughters with gunshot wounds to their heads. Sarah Henderson was also charged with the attempted murder of her husband. Officials say Henderson had planned the murders for two weeks and was attempting to kill her entire family. After she shot her daughters, she tried to kill her husband, but the gun jammed. Henderson attempted to plead insanity in 2018 but was found competent to stand trial.

TYLER — We now know more from a July 2017 plane crash leaving Tyler Pounds airport. According to our news partner KETK, the plane crash killed two people, including a Brownsboro pastor. William Robert Walls III and Pastor Trevor Morris both died in the crash. Morris left behind five children. The plane’s wreckage was one-half mile from the Tyler Pounds Airport runway. Damage found on scene suggested the right engine was not operating at the time of impact. The reason for the loss of right engine power could not be determined based on available information. The Morris family has a pending wrongful death lawsuit against three different East Texas companies related to the crash.

QUITMAN — A Wood County jury on Wednesday acquitted Jason Walters of murder. Walters, of Mineola, was on trial for shooting 19-year-old Christopher Griffin at the Mineola EZ Mart in 2014. According to our news partner KETK, the verdict came in Wednesday afternoon shortly after 3:15. Mineola police say Walters and Griffin got into an argument that started inside the convenience store and the two went into the outside alley, where the shooting occurred.

KILGORE — The city pool in Kilgore is hosting its second free dive-in movie on Thursday. The 1975 summer blockbuster “Jaws” will play at 8:30 p.m. The pool will be open at 7:30 for a free swim before the show. LED lights will have the pool ablaze in red. Kilgore City Pool reminds people that “Jaws” is intended for an older age demographic, due to violent scenes. For more information on the dive-in movie click the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/444950342994002.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Chamber was among several selected from 1,300 chambers of commerce through out the U.S. and Canada. “Chamber of the Year” is the most prestigious and competitive award presented by ACCE and is the only globally-recognized industry award that celebrates top chambers of commerce. Kelly Hall, CEO and President of the Longview Chamber summarized the Chambers feeling by saying, “This is an exciting time for the Longview Chamber! Our work is strategic, intentional and is being recognized nationwide.”

LONGVIEW — Ashly James is one of two girls selected from Texas that will take part in Girls Nation, a mock-government program. According to our news partner KETK, Ashly was chosen out of 600 girls in the state to be a Girls Nation Senator. Ashly is a senior at Pine Tree High School. Her future plans include studying criminal law or business law. Girls Nation is an annual civic training program run by the American Legion Auxiliary. It’s a virtual reality mock-up event where she and other girls will run for office, elect a president, and even work to pass legislation.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced that the University and Tyler Junior College are collaborating in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Summer Research Academy. 5 UT Tyler students and 2 TJC students have been accepted as 2019 fellows. The aim is to enhance STEM research and education. The program is also formulated to provide research experiences to undergraduate students from under represented populations and encourage them to pursue graduate-level science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is set to face a jury in September after making threats to Longview and Kilgore high schools. According to our news partner KETK and the Longview News-Journal, David Alexander Nelson, 22, had his trial moved from July 15 to September 16. The threats were reportedly made on the messaging app Snapchat beginning in October of 2018 against Kilgore High School. Nelson confessed to creating the posts as a prank, according to Kilgore police, but he now faces a charge of making a terroristic threat. Threats to Longview High School resulted in an all-call to parents. The call and concern about the threats led to many parents taking their children home for the day. After two days of investigation, Kilgore investigators determined the threats were made at a residence in Elderville. Nelson was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail October 28, 2018.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Solid Waste Department recognized twelve drivers for safety excellence from their team of wheelmen. The period highlights the past 6 months of safety, covering January of this year through June. The Solid Waste drivers that received the Semi-Annual Driver Safety Award are Adrian Black, Sharnette Butler, Thomas Blaylock, Cameron Clayton, Alaric Jordan, Quinton Moore, Marquis Johnson, Frederick Jones, Stephen Gaddie, Mark Smith, Michael Williams and James Williams.

TYLER — A Lindale man accused of setting a hospital bed on fire last August has pleaded guilty to criminal mischief after an arson charge against him was dropped. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Mason Wyatt was arrested last year at the UT Health Main Campus for reportedly setting fire to a hospital bed. No one was injured in the affair. The arson charge was a second-degree felony, and the criminal mischief charge is a simple state jail felony. Wyatt awaits his sentencing with a maximum of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The hearing is scheduled for August 5.

TYLER — A total of 10 different Tyler fire stations will benefit from a donation from Planet Fitness of Tyler. The workout facility announced Tuesday its donation of gym gear to the City of Tyler Fire Department. The equipment will offer additional resources to local firefighters, in an effort to further their physical commitment and dedication to protecting the city. Assistant Chief Michael Frost will deliver 36 machines on behalf of the health club.

LONGVIEW — Some good news for folks affected by the storms on May 8th. Help is on the way in the form of low interest loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. People impacted by the storms may be eligible as a renter, property owner or landowner. The Longview Fire Department Training Center will have agents on hand Tuesday through the following Thursday, July 25th. Applicants may also apply online. The disaster provides assistance to 11 Texas counties impacted including Gregg, Smith and Upshur counties. The deadline to apply is September 9th. The deadline to apply for economic injury is April 10th of next year. For more info go to https://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2000.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Residents in Angelina County are urged to be on the lookout for mail theft. So far, two suspects have been arrested for stealing mail. According to our news partner KETK, Angelina County Sheriff Greg Sanches said, ““What we’re asking is people to make sure they get with their neighborhood, kind of keep an eye out,” said Angelina County Sheriff Greg Sanches. “If you’ve got cameras you can at least point your camera toward your mailbox.” The sheriff says the thefts are happening in the rural communities. The sheriff also said the thieves have postal service decals on their vehicles and are driving right up to the mailboxes. Continue reading Mail Theft on the Rise in Angelina County

MARSHALL — The East Texas Baptist University School of Nursing has attained a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the fifth consecutive year. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing recently confirmed that all ETBU Spring 2019 nursing graduates passed the NCLEX. For the Fall 2019 semester, over 195 students have declared nursing as their major. Nearly 500 nurses have graduated from ETBU since the program’s inception in the 1990s.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College continues New Student Orientation sessions this week — July 15, 16, 18 and 19 — for students entering TJC in the 2019 fall semester. TJC will offer the 3 final sessions August 6-8. Orientation introduces students to life at TJC and offers new Apaches an opportunity to register early for their fall semester classes. For more info check the KTBB Calendar of Events.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation has kicked off summer seal coat operations in the Tyler District. Work is currently underway in Cherokee and Rusk counties. The process seals the roadway keeping water out and requiring less maintenance while providing a new driving surface for motorists. Motorists can expect lane closures and travel delays as the work continues for the next several weeks across the Tyler district’s eight counties. The installation of final striping and buttons will follow the seal coat operations.

ATHENS — Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse announced in a press release on Monday his intent for re-election in 2020. He was elected in 2016 and ran on a platform of cracking down on drugs, particularly methamphetamines. “With drug intervention and the changing economy, meth production once common in this county has almost disappeared completely,” he said. So far, Hillhouse is uncontested in his race.

TYLER — The “Golden Anniversary” of Apollo 11 occurs in less than a week, Saturday, Tyler Junior College began celebrations early featuring Tyler Junior College alumnus and former NASA engineer, Charles R. Price. According to our news partner KETK, Price presented, ’50 years with NASA’ covering his work with NASA on Apollo 8 and Apollo 11 missions. Price was on the team designing the path Apollo would take to the moon. July 20 is the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and TJC will host another event called ‘Moon Day’. For more info click here. http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu/event/0dbffe408f2f91176506c96d7b6a3e0f

TYLER — The countdown to the 86th annual Texas Rose Festival continues following Friday night’s Kick Off Celebration at Tyler’s Willow Brook Country Club. Rose Queen Hanna Claire Waits says she’s been busy in the months since she assumed the title. She tells KTBB “it’s been really fun so far” meeting the kids from out of town who are part of the festival and “letting them see what the Rose Festival is really about and…the awesome impact that it has on our community.” As Hanna and her court continue rehearsals, she also acknowledged “the hundreds of volunteers” who “are working backstage constantly, making sure we’re all in the right place, that everybody’s calm.” Public ticket sales begin September 1, and the festival is set for October 17th through 20th. Go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.

TYLER — Saturday featured the grand opening of the Faulkner Skate Park. The park is located on W. Cumberland Rd. Faulkner is Phase 1 of a bigger project that Tyler Parks and Recreation hopes will eventually replace the deteriorating Noble E. Young skate park and become a regional hub for skaters.

TYLER — Whataburger and the East Texas Food Bank are teaming up to fight hunger across East Texas. Forty-two Whataburgers across East Texas will participate in the drive. On Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. customers who visit Whataburger and donate a minimum of two cans or non-perishable items will receive a free Whataburger. The East Texas Food Bank provides nearly 21 million meals each year to over 200 partner agencies and feeding programs in 26 East Texas counties.

KILGORE — Students going to Kilgore College this Fall are encouraged to take advantage of 4 opportunities to enroll. Benefits includes wider choices of times and instructors, lower monthly payments and avoiding the rush of registering in August. Registration is free, but students should register online at http://www.kilgore.edu/ranger-registration. Appointments are available at the Kilgore campus on July 17, July 20; and July 24. You can pre-register for Kilgore College in Longivew on Thursday, July 18. For each advising appointment, students will be paired with an academic advisor. For more information on Ranger Registration, contact Ronda Lee at 903-988-7491 or [email protected].

TYLER — TxDOT expects Tyler Maintenance crews to be on SH 110 at Grande Blvd. Work will be in the southbound outside lane. Expect lane closures with traffic control devices in place. Longview Maintenance crews will be improving SH 135 in Kilgore from the Traffic Circle to the Rusk County line. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/038-2019.html for a complete rundown of work throughout the district.

KILGORE — The “Where We’ve Been” map is filling up quickly, as the Rangerettes performed at the World Bands Challenge 2019 in Modena, Italy. This is nothing new for the in-demand dance team. Through the years, they have high-kicked their way across the U.S.A. and on a number of international tours, including performances in Canada, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Macao, Korea, Romania, France, Japan, Singapore, and Ireland. But they say, no matter how far they travel, they always love coming home to Texas!”

TYLER — Tyler Police are asking for your help in finding two people for inquiry. This couple is wanted to discuss several missing pieces of jewelry from a merchant in the Broadway Square Mall. If you can identify either of them, contact Det. Thomas of the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1035.

TYLER — The Grand opening of U.T. Tyler’s INTUNE Mobile Healthcare primary care clinic took place on Thursday. The event featured a health fair at the UT Tyler Alumni House. The goal is to make healthcare more accessible for rural and underserved East Texans. The partnership is part of a UT Tyler federal grant project, INTUNE, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration.The project provides clinical training for primary care nurse practitioner students by immersing them in diverse populations, particularly rural and under served areas.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A stolen truck was recovered in Berryville on Thursday and authorities say the suspect may have been carrying drugs. Patrick Brea-Williams Langston, 26, was charged with theft. The truck was reported stolen out of Corpus Christi in June. Langston said he purchased the vehicle, but could not provide documentation. During the arrest, a search revealed two small, clear baggies containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Langston is currently awaiting arraignment.

TROUP –Property owners in Troup got a suprise vistior on Thursday after an Arkansas National Guard Blackhawk landed in a field. The helicopter suffered a transmission issue and landed out of caution. According to our news partner KETK, the landing occurred at 4:30 p.m. The pilots were not injured and stayed in a neighbor’s home for the night. The Arkansas National Guard sent a maintenance team to evaluate the helicopter. It is intact and appears undamaged. Crew members say within 10 minutes of landing, they had ice-cold water and a place to sleep for the night.

UPSHUR COUNTY — An Upshur County inmate, jailed on two counts of sexual assault of a child, died suddenly on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Omega Lynn McCellon, 65, felt ill in his cell and suddenly became unresponsive. An Upshur County deputy, who was a certified EMT, provided immediate assistance until medics arrived. McCellon was transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.