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TYLER – Two suspects wanted in connection with gas skimming cases in Tyler have been arrested in Mexico. Jorge Rondon Martinez and Leidy Labrada De La Guardia, both Cuban nationals, who were considered to be key figures in the skimming operation, fled the country. They had been wanted on charges of engaging in organized crime and unlawful interception, use or disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications. Thanks to liaison by the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Secret Service with the Mexican Federal Police, they were taken into custody by Mexican authorities on Thursday. Tyler Investigators took custody of the two in Houston on Friday and are bringing them to the Smith County Jail. State District Judge Jack Skeen has set each of their bonds at $2,250,000.

GLADEWATER – The Texas Transportation Commission has approved about $1 million for Gladewater Municipal Airport. The money will be used for pavement improvements and other improvements. A project contract bid is due to be completed this summer. Project costs will be funded through the city of Gladewater and TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program.

TYLER – The trial of a former Tyler nurse, who is accused of murder, has been scheduled for later this year. Judicial records indicate the trial of William George Davis, 34, of Hallsville, is set for December 3rd in State District Judge Christi Kennedy’s courtroom. Davis was indicted last week for murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Davis is a former nurse at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. He is accused of killing a heart patient and injuring at least six others.

TYLER – A new park is opening in Tyler for the four-legged member of your family. The SPCA of East Texas invites you to the Bossart Bark Park Grand Opening Celebration. It will be on Saturday from 10:00 till 2:00 on West Grande Boulevard. It is an 8 acre community park for you and your pups. They say you are invited to join them for food trucks and sweet treats. It should be a lot of fun, no mellon collie there.

AUSTIN – A Smith County woman has been named to a state health council. Governor Gregg Abbot has named 3 persons to the Texas Diabetes Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. One of those is Ardis Reed of Hideway. She is a is a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian with the Trinity Mother Francis Health Quality Institute. The state council addresses issues affecting people with diabetes in Texas. It also advises the state legislature on legislation that is needed to develop and maintain a statewide system of quality education services to all people with diabetes and health professionals who offer diabetes treatment and education.

GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas man, who had a case dismissed against him in connection with a shootout at a Waco restaurant in May 2015, has been arrested on multiple charges including attempted capital murder of a peace officer or fireman. According to our news partner KETK, Jason Alan Dillard, 42, of Winona, was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety Friday morning. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on numerous charges including: Evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a weapon, driving while intoxicated (3rd or more), reckless driving, failing to signal during lane change, speeding in a construction zone and deadly conduct (discharge of a firearm). Dillard’s case regarding the Waco biker shootout was dismissed May 4, by McLennan County prosecutors.

TYLER – A south Tyler restaurant will be shutting its doors. Saturday will be the last day of business for TGI Fridays at South Broadway and the Loop. In an email to KTBB, Brian Conway in the corporate offices said he could not provide specific details, but the closure was a business decision. The company released the following statement, “Due to business reasons, the TGI Fridays restaurant on S. Broadway Avenue in Tyler, TX will be closed as of July 1. This was a very difficult decision that was not made lightly, as we understand the impact it has on our Guests who enjoyed dining with us and on our Team Members. We’re working closely with our Team Members to provide job assistance, and we appreciate and thank all who have visited our restaurant over the years.” Conway said they will do as much as they can to assist the employees during the transition.

LONGVIEW – During Thursday’s meeting, the Longview city council named Keith Bonds as city manager. Bonds had been serving as acting city manager since the first of the year, following the retirement of City Manager David Willard at the end of last year. Bonds has served as assistant city manager since 2014 and has worked for the city of Longview since 1999. Prior to becoming assistant city manager, he served in a variety of roles including director of public works, director of water utilities, and utility engineer. Bonds is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer with a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

TYLER – Rabbi Neal Katz is officially on the November ballott. The Texas Secretary of State has certified Katz as an independent candidate for House District 6, which includes 76% of Smith County. The only other candidate is the incumbent, Republican Matt Schaefer. There is no Democratic candidate. Katz, 45, is the rabbi for Temple Beth El in Tyler and has lived in Tyler for 15 years.

TYLER – Officers have completed a two day check of sex offenders living in Smith County. The checks were done by a team of around 30 officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Of the 383 persons who were investigated, 363 were in compliance. Four were found to be out of compliance. One offender was arrested for failing to comply with registration during the check. A second person at the location was arrested for an outstanding warrant. No word at this time on the other 15 offenders.
According to Sheriff Larry Smith, verification checks of this type are unannounced and comprehensive.

PALESTINE – A portion of Old Elkhart Road near the entrances to Walmart and Brookshire’s Grocery Store has been closed due to a downed overhead communication line. Firefighters estimate the road should be open by this evening. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and watch out for workers in the area.

TYLER – A Tyler father, accused of critically injuring his infant daughter, is now charged with her death. Four month old Sofia Ibarra died Thursday morning soon after being removed from life support at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Her dad, Andres Guadalupe Ibarra, 19, has now been charged with capital murder. He remains in the Smith County Jail under a new bond of $1 million. He told sheriff’s department investigators that he hit the child in the ribs and abdomen with his fist four or five times and then threw her. After the Sunday night incident he went outside and smoked marijuana and then went to sleep. He discovered the next morning the child was pale and not breathing normally and took her to a Tyler hospital. An autopsy will be performed by a Dallas lab.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man will have a long time to think about his 7th DWI conviction. After Fred Elton Alexander, 72, was found guilty of DWI, a Gregg County jury sentenced him to 99 years in prison. While on parole last September, Alexander was arrested at the Tree House Apartments on Avalon Street. According to the police report, he claimed the public handicap parking spot was his, cursed at the person parked there and threatened to slash the person’s tires if the vehicle wasn’t moved. He then backed into a fence. When arrested, his alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is once again stepping up its patrols targeting DWI drivers over the 4th of July Holiday. The extra patrols start Friday night at 8:00 and will run through 2:00 next Thursday morning. The department is one again participating in a state grant that will provide funding to the department to bring in officers who are not on regular patrol. If a suspected drunk driver refuses to take a breath or blood test, a search warrant will be obtained to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. Tyler police public information officer Don Martin says the no refusal program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers.

TYLER – Four out of state shoplifters have been arrested by Tyler police. A merchant in The Village at Cumberland Park on South Broadway notified police around 9:00 Wednesday evening. A police officer working security for the shopping center saw the women leave the store and place the merchandise in their vehicle. After being spotted, the women ran. They were found hiding behind a hotel in the shopping center. Officers determined that they had stolen over a $1,000.00 worth of merchandise from several merchants and it was recovered. One of the suspects is from Shreveport, the others from Natchitoches, Louisiana.

VAN – Adults and children without health insurance can receive free health care in Van. East Texas Medical Outreach is holding the event at the Van Junior High School from 8:00am till 4:00pm on Friday. The free services that will be provided include immunizations, student athlete physicals and breast cancer screenings. There will also be biometric screenings, such as blood pressure, BMI, glucose, and cholesterol. Information will also be provided on Diabetes management and prevention and the importance of dental hygiene. All services will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. And they ask you to bring your own drinks and snacks, in case there may be extended wait times for some services.

DALLAS — State officials take part in a fact-finding forum on credit card skimming, and Smith County is a key player. The small devices are attached to a gas pump, allowing thieves to steal the debit or credit card information of unsuspecting customers. It’s a $2 billion a year racket in the U.S. This week’s forum looked at ways to shut down skimming and at laws to punish the offenders. Officials heard from members of a task force that recovered more than 100 of the devices last year in Tyler and Smith County. They say the local zero-tolerance prosecution policy sends a powerful message. Not a single card skimmer has turned up in Tyler so far this year.

TYLER — The application for a Chinese development zoning change in the city of Tyler has been withdrawn, but the project continues. According to our news partner KETK, the request for the tract of land at Bellwood Lake and the Loop was withdrawn by the applicant, Xing Tan. But the plans continue under a different zoning plan. He says, “I believe this represents a ‘win-win’ for the city of Tyler. The city will receive all of the benefits of a major economic development project that, at the same time, will meet all of the current zoning allowances and restrictions.” He also said the project should bring more development to the area.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler woman wanted for murder has turned herself in. Alicia Radreaka Guthrie, 25, surrendered to the Smith County Jail just after midnight Thursday morning. Jeremy Taylor, 34, died Tuesday after being stabbed early Saturday evening. The stabbing occurred at a residence on Lenox Avenue. Investigators say he had been stabbed by his ex-girlfriend, Guthrie. She was previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault family violence with a weapon. She also had three outstanding city court warrants. Guthrie had been free on bond on the original complaint. Her bond has been set at $150,000.

KILGORE – Two members of the Kilgore College Board of Trustees have been sworn into office. It occurred Wednesday night at a regular board meeting. Janice Bagley, of Overton, will fill the unexpired term of Bob Heath for the South Zone, Voting Unit No. 1, Place No. 7. That term is scheduled to expire May of 2019. Jon Rowe, of Gladewater, will fill the unexpired term of James Walker for the North Zone, Voting Unit No. 2, Place No. 2. That term scheduled to expire May of 2021. The KC Board of Trustees appointed the two after an application process to fill the vacant seats. They were appointed with a 6-0 vote by the board of trustees June 18.

LONGVIEW – A Tyler man is arrested in Longview on drug violations. Arrested by the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit was Michael Lewis Galyeon, 57. He was arrested Tuesday at a motel on North Access Road, during a narcotics investigation. The officers say they found heroin, a pistol, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a measure that allows the city limits to extend to Interstate 20 for the first time in history. The council Wednesday approved the annexation of 11.59 acres of land adjacent to the present Tyler city limits, near Highway 69 and I-20. According to our news partner KETK, the property will be zoned for commercial use. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously signed off on the move, passing it along to the council.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview teen is behind bars in connection to an aggravated assault in Jefferson Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Deontra Tyre Lilly, 17, was arrested at an apartment complex on Hawkins Parkway around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Lilly was arrested by U.S. Marshal Violent Crimes Task Force agents while he was attempting to leave the scene in a car police believe was involved in an aggravated assault. Lilly was booked into the Gregg County Jail on an outstanding Marion County warrant for aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a firearm. Bond has not been set.

TYLER – A Troup man has been arrested for the sexual assault of a child. In the Smith County Jail under a $100,000 bond is Christopher Matthew Luna, 27. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl on six separate occasions over a 6 month period. The girl and her mother reported the assaults to the sheriff’s department late last week. The investigation led them to Luna. According to the sheriff’s department Face Book page, Luna confessed to the assaults to several different individuals and further stated that he knew that the victim was 14 years old at the time of the sexual assaults. He was arrested on Tuesday and booked into jail.

TYLER – A nurse accused of killing and injuring patients at a Tyler hospital has been indicted by the Smith County Grand Jury. The indictment was returned late last week against William George Davis, 34, of Hallsville. He was indicted on a charge of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is accused of the death of Christopher Greenaway, 47, a heart patient. He is also suspected of injuring at least six other patients, one of whom later died. Davis is a former nurse at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Hospital officials went to police in early February over their concerns about Davis. He was fired about a week later.

TYLER – A Tyler woman was booked into the Smith County jail just before 2:00 Tuesday morning, accused of chasing her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend and ramming their car several times. The chase started on South Broadway, south of Grande Boulevard. It headed north to the Broadway Square Mall parking lot where the chase continued. The woman wouldn’t stop for police and the chase only ended when the couple’s car stopped. It was there that officers arrested Ravin Deforest Anderson, 25. She faces two charges of assault with a deadly weapon, evading arrest and resisting arrest. Her bonds total $90,000.

TYLER – The Greater Texas Foundation has awarded the University of Texas at Tyler an $865,963 grant. The school has also partnered with other state institutions to enhance math education in rural areas. A UT Tyler associate professor of mathematics, Dr. John Lamb, has partnered with professors at the University of Texas at Austin, Stephen F Austin State University and Sam Houston State University to create the Advancing Inquiry in Middle Mathematics for Rural East Texas program. It is a two year program designed to study math courses taught in middle and high school to help students better prepare for success in post secondary classes. Continue reading A Grant to Enhance Math Education in Rural Areas

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University will launch a new online Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity degree this fall. The school says it is designed to meet a record demand in cybersecurity that is expected to open by next year. Students in the program will learn to protect critical information and defend against threats like industrial espionage, organized crime and terrorism. Students could also choose to take some classes in the classroom, making their fully online program a hybrid program including both online and on ground instruction.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has announced $5 million in Texas Talent Connection grants to 13 workforce training and job placement programs across the state. Among the grants, $500,000 goes to Kilgore College for the East Texas Workforce Partnership project. This is a collaboration with Workforce Solutions East Texas centers to provide skills-upgrade training for dislocated oil and gas workers though short-term, go-to-work training programs. Continue reading Kilgore College Gets State Training Grant Funds