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GREGG COUNTY — Longview police have arrested a juvenile student in connection with recent threats made against another student at Judson STEAM Academy. Police reported in a social media post Tuesday that the juvenile was arrested on a charge of terroristic threat and taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. Police have not released that person’s name. According to our news partner KETK and the Longview News Journal, police were on the campus north of Longview this week to probe what Longview ISD had described in a Sunday night Facebook post as a “vague threat” from a source claiming to be a student there. Longview police Lt. Shane McCarter said police were following up on texts that had been sent and were conducting interviews to determine the person who first sent the texts. McCarter said the Judson threats were directed toward a student.

TYLER — Smith County’s Indigent Health Care Program will soon see expanded services and a new, more convenient office location at the Cotton Belt Building thanks to a renewed partnership with UT Health East Texas. That’s according to a county news release. The Indigent Health Care Program is mandated by state law, and requires counties to pay for basic health care services for its low-income residents who meet certain income and resource requirements. Previously in Smith County, UT Health East Texas’s predecessor, East Texas Medical Center, performed the administrative role of qualifying program participants and paying claims. Now, UT Health East Texas will utilize HealthFirst TPA to perform those administrative functions and more. Continue reading Smith County to Expand Indigent Health Care Services, Change Location

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall will host a public meet-and-greet event for new Marshall City Manager Mark Rohr from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Marshall Convention Center. City officials say the come-and-go event will offer citizens the opportunity to meet Rohr and welcome him to the community in a casual and informal setting. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. In a news release, Rohr says he looks forward to meeting residents, discussing ways to put Marshall on a path of growth, and talking about how best to move the city forward. For more information, contact the city manager’s office at 903-935-4421.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/Staff) – Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is shrugging off criticism from Roman Catholic leaders — including one from East Texas — over his support of a new state abortion law. Speaking on public radio Tuesday, Cuomo (pictured) said he is duty bound to separate his religious views from his work as governor. Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler was joined by a Catholic bishop in Knoxville, Tennessee, in tweeting support for excluding Cuomo from the church. New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s spokesman rejected those calls in a statement, saying excommunication shouldn’t be used as a weapon against politicians. But Dolan blasted Cuomo in an op-ed Tuesday in the New York Post, saying he has alienated Catholics with the abortion law and with comments criticizing the church’s handling of sex abuse. Cuomo signed a bill last week codifying rights laid out in federal abortion rulings.

TYLER — New research shows that in East Texas, approximately 45% of households are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or “ALICE,” as defined by federal poverty guidelines. That means they could not afford basic needs such as housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology last year. According to an ALICE report issued Tuesday by the United Ways of Texas, 16% percent of East Texans were living in poverty during that time. Statewide, 4,025,176 households — 42 percent — are defined as ALICE. United Way of Smith County President Nan Moore says the ALICE population can be helped if the community works together. You can go to https://uwsmithcounty.org/ for more information.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 168 is back open to drivers after being closed for repairs. Officials say the Smith County Road and Bridge Department replaced a culvert on CR 168, between CR 178 and Highway 155 South, in Noonday. We’re told the work took longer than expected because crews discovered heavier damage than expected. To avoid potential collapse, County Engineer Frank Davis said they needed to repair the damage and insert a temporary metal pipe. A permanent concrete box culvert or concrete pipe will be installed there this summer, he added.

GREGG COUNTY — The mother of an East Texas toddler has been charged in connection to the child’s death. According to our news partner KETK, Daylain Anisse Jones, 24, was arrested Saturday for making a firearm available to a child. The charge is a misdemeanor, according to Officer Shane McCarter of the Longview Police Department. The death of 3-year-old Geneva August occurred June 14, 2018. Although the cause of death was an accidental self-inflicted gun shot wound, Jones is now facing charges. At the time of the shooting, LPD issued a statement saying: “Make every effort to child-proof your home and make it a safe and enjoyable place for them to grow up.”

ATHENS — Athens ISD has announced the time and place of the funeral for Christopher Bonilla. Christopher, 13, died Friday when his school bus was hit by a train in Athens. According to our news partner KETK, his funeral has been scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. in the Athens High School gymnasium. Ahens ISD also has announced that classes at all campuses have been canceled for that day. Christopher was a student at Athens Middle School. Another student on board, Bonilla’s cousin, is still in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. The school bus driver involved in the crash, John Stevens, was released from the hospital Monday. Toni Clay with the district says he had a clean record and had been a bus driver for more than a decade. Police say they’re still investigating and haven’t said whether Stevens will face charges.

TYLER — As severe winter weather moves into the United States Midwest region, the City of Tyler continues its cold weather preparation, should these and other storm systems move southward. That’s according to a news release issued Monday afternoon. In addition to the City of Tyler annual cold weather response plan, City staff and officials have created an icy weather communication protocol in an effort to improve the process of notifications in an ice event. With extreme weather, City of Tyler staff will make a determination whether or not to open a full (24 hours a day) or partial emergency (limited hours, often 12 hours daily) operations center (EOC). If opened, Fire Chief David Coble will be Chief in Command over all operations. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/News.aspx for additional information.

TYLER – Though no snow accumulation was expected, TxDOT crews around the Tyler District aren’t taking any chances. They’ve begun pre-treating major roadways ahead of cold, possibly wet weather in East Texas. Officials say the conditions could impact elevated surfaces causing hazardous driving conditions. Motorists are advised to use caution and allow extra space around tankers and other equipment out conducting pre-treating operations. Continue reading TxDOT Treating Roads for Wintry Conditions

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Regional Airport Master Plan will be presented at the regular meeting of the Gregg County Commissioners Court at 10:00 Wednesday morning. According to a news release, the planning consultant firm of Coffman and Associates will make the presentation — the culmination of more than a year’s work. The plan outlines airport improvement projects for the next twenty years. It is divided into short-term (the first five years), mid-term (the second five years), and long- term (the remaining ten years) phases. The plan will identify potential projects and cost estimates. During the planning process a Planning Advisory Committee, or PAC, of community leaders and airport users was involved in order to obtain input from the area. As quoted in the news release, County Judge Bill Stoudt said, “This type of Master Plan is essential to the future growth of our community and the East Texas Regional Airport.”

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeking leads in a Sunday night robbery. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies were dispatched shortly before 11:00 p.m. to Indian Creek Mart on Spur 364 west of Tyler. The clerk said a black male entered the store with a black bandana with white print covering his face, armed with a handgun. The clerk said the robber pointed the handgun at her demanding money, then took the money and left on foot. The suspect is said to be in his 20s, approximately 5’5” and 125 pounds, wearing a gray jacket with a hood. Call 903-566-6600 if you have any information.

ATHENS — Hundreds of students across the state show support for a school district in East Texas. They showed up for class Monday morning wearing maroon, one of the Athens school district’s colors. Athens lost a student Friday when a bus collided with a train. A second student was hurt and continues to recover at a hospital in Dallas. Counselors were also called in at the schools Monday. Union Pacific says its data show the train was sounding its horn for 30 seconds before the crash. Video of the incident has been turned over to police.

KILGORE — A trial date has been set for the woman accused in the 2016 kidnapping of a Kilgore College Rangerette. According to our news partner KETK and the Longview News Journal, Nancy Alice Motes, 59, is scheduled to go to trial April 15 on two charges of aggravated kidnapping stemming from incidents said to have occurred Dec. 29, 2016. Motes allegedly visited the residence of Dana Blair, longtime Rangerette director, and her daughter Alexa. Motes reportedly drew a firearm, forced her way into the home and kidnapped Alexa. Motes was indicted in June 2017 by a Gregg County grand jury. Continue reading Kilgore College Rangerette Kidnapping Trial Date Set

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a “vague threat” towards Judson STEAM Academy, according to the Longview ISD website. The website goes on to say that the threat was “determined to be unsubstantiated rumors”. According to our news partner KETK, the school district tweeted about the threat on their school account but it has since been deleted. The threat was said to have been made in a series of text messages by someone claiming to be a Judson STEAM Academy student. Despite being ruled unsubstantiated, Longview police will increase police presence around the school as the investigation continues.

ATHENS — The Union Pacific tracks where a train hit an Athens ISD bus on Friday afternoon have been cleared, according to the Athens Daily Review. Damage is being repaired, and more details about the incident may be released over the weekend, police Chief Buddy Hill said. “We don’t have any information yet to release that was different from last night. Rail crews worked through the night on clearing the track and making sure it is safe.” A middle-school boy was killed when the bus driver tried to cross the track at Cream Level Road. “That was the impact site,” Hill said. “He was ejected from the bus.” An elementary-school girl was pinned inside the bus and had to be extricated, the chief said. Neither the children’s names nor that of the driver have been released. Continue reading Railroad Cleared, Re-Opens following Bus-Train Accident

LIBERTY CITY- A Gregg County robbery is under investigation. It happened around 3:00 Friday morning at the E.Z.Mart located on Highway 135 just east of Liberty City. The armed men entered the store, demanding money. The suspects were described as black males wearing hoodie type sweatshirts and having the majority of their faces covered. One man is believed to be wearing what appears to be a red plaid colored hood. They left with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has received $20,000 from the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation to support UT Tyler veterans. The Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation has joined with the Dew Boys golf group from Eagle’s Bluff Country Club to present the school with the Richard and Madeline Lewis Scholarship. The two groups have given this scholarship annually to the university since 2014, totaling more than $100,000 for veterans.

MARSHALL – A new manager has been named for Marshall’s Memorial City Hall Performance Center. He is Glenn Barnhart, who will be responsible for managing all aspects of the historic center, including booking performances, facility rental and usage, marketing and publicity and daily operations. He comes to Marshall from Crockett, where he was executive director of the Piney Woods Fine Arts Association. Before that he was an events coordinator for the Texas State Railroad in Palestine.

TYLER – A man has been extradited from Tennessee to Smith County in connection with a fatal accident last year. Jail records show Isiah Keithion Franklin, 20, of Jackson, Tennessee, was booked into the Smith County Jail shortly after 4:15 Friday morning. His arrest stems from a fatal accident last May on Farm Road 16, 15 miles north of Tyler. Killed in the wreck was Jasmine Victoria Murillo, 17, of Kilgore. Franklin and two other person in the car were injured when it left the road a struck a tree, tossing the girl from the vehicle. Franklin has been charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. His bond was set at $100,000.

TYLER – Smith County residents are reminded that property taxes are due by the end of the month. The deadline is January 31st. The tax office cannot waive penalty or interest rates for late payments. So, if mailing your property tax check, it must be postmarked by January 31. Next Thursday, Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber will even be stationed outside in the parking lot of the Cotton Belt Building on West Front Street to take drive-thru payments. In order to drop off your payments without leaving your car, you are asked provide payment inside an envelope, which has your name and phone number on it in case the Tax Office has questions regarding your payment. Continue reading Property Tax Deadline Approaching

TYLER – Union Pacific will be replacing rails and ties along the Tyler railroad system. The railroad will need to close intersecting roads to lay rail through the crossings and replace ties. All closures will be from 1:00 to 10:00am. In addition to the closures, Union Pacific will be flagging numerous crossings, as the crossing signals will be out of service due to equipment occupying the track. Union Pacific will notify emergency services prior to all closures and again upon reopening the roads.

Known closure dates are:
*North Palace Avenue, West Elm Street and South Lyons Avenue – closed January 25
*County Road 381 – closed January 25, 26, 29 and 31.
*Whiteside Road, Indian Creek Road and Spur 164 – closed January 26
*Duncan Street. – closed January 26, 27 and 31.
*E NE Loop 323 – closed on January 30 (coordinating with TXDOT)
These dates are subject to change as the work progresses

LONGVIEW – A vehicle sought in connection with a fatal Longview accident has been located. Acting on tips from the community, the 2004 Lincoln Navigator was found in Hallsville. It is believed to be the vehicle that hit and killed George Earnest Melton, 59, of Longview. He was directing traffic around an accident on Loop 281 at Birdsong Street Tuesday morning when he was hit by a vehicle, which fled the scene. Longview police say they have identified a suspect but, at this time, the name has not been released since their investigation is still ongoing.

TYLER – For shooting at Smith County sheriff’s deputies during a chase, a Tyler man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence. A jury in the 241st State District County sentenced Juan Quiroga, 20. to 50 years in prison. He was found guilty by the jury on Tuesday. He was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. Dashcam video shows bullets hitting the lead patrol car during a high-speed chase in 2016. An investigation later determined at least two high-powered assault weapons were used in the shooting. Two other men were also arrested and charged in the case.

GILMER – There will be no charges against the Upshur County District Clerk, who had been accused of assaulting maintence worker. The Upshur County Grand Jury did not level any charges against District Clerk Karen Bunn. She had been accused of assaulting Ricky Freeman in a woman’s restroom last November. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, both Bunn and Freeman lied concerning some aspects of the case. Freeman claimed bruises on his arms were caused by Bunn. But investigators say the bruises were healing and were not recent. Investigators say, as far as they are concerned, the case is closed.

TYLER – A worker has died in an industrial accident in Tyler. It happened around 9:15 Wednesday morning at Cannon Steel on Highway 64 West. Dead at the scene was Jonathan Burkett, 28, of Tyler. He was said to have been unloading steel beams from a flatbed trailer when one of the beams became loose. The beam is said to have bounced and hit him in the head. OSHA is investigating the death.

AUSTIN – East Texas legislators have found out their committee assignments for the current legislative session in Austin. State Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler has been named to the House Appropriations Committee. He is joined on the panel by representative Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant. Schaefer was also appointed to the House Higher Education Committee. State representative Jay Dean of Longview was named to the House Corrections Committee and the House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee. Continue reading Legislative Committee Assignments Doled Out in Austin

ELKHART – State Highway 19 southeast of Elkhart has been reopened following a fatality accident. Rebecca Lynne Burke, 61, of Elkhart was pronounced dead at the scene following the Thursday morning wreck. For some reason, her car drifted into the on coming lane and collided with a truck-trailer rig. The truck’s driver was flown to Tyler’s Christus Trinity Mother where he was treated and released. The roadway had to be cleared of spilled diesel before the road could be reopened.