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TYLER – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System has announced the plan to expand the Neonatal Intensive Care and Labor and Delivery Units at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler. To be completed in phases, this project will expand the current capacity of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to 28 licensed private or semi-private (for twins) NICU beds. The upgrade will also include an expanded well-baby nursery, lactation suite, transitional care facility and other amenities. During the second phase of the project, the Labor and Delivery Unit will be constructing five private triage rooms for expectant mothers, as well as five additional delivery suites. Officials say the project will rely heavily on the philanthropic support of the Tyler community. Construction will begin in mid-June 2018 and will take approximately 9 months to complete.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been arrested for the alleged rape and murder of his girlfriend in the fall of 2017. According to KETK, Mark Howerton, 22, surrendered to the Bexar County Magistrate’s Office Wednesday in connection with the beating death of Trinity University cheerleader Cayley Mandadi, 18, of League City. Howerton is a 2015 graduate of Grace Community School in Tyler. Howerton’s bond was set at $225,000. Court documents showed Mandadi died from a violent beating. Continue reading Tyler Man Charged in Girlfriend’s Death

TYLER – Tyler ISD Campus Teachers of the Year have been named by their school administrators and staff. The honor is awarded to teachers who exemplify extraordinary models of leadership and excellence in teaching that ultimately help create successful student outcomes, according to a news release from the school district. Tyler ISD will honor all Campus Teachers of the Year and announce its 2018 District Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet to be held Tuesday, May 15, at Green Acres Crosswalk. Banquet guests will include Tyler ISD school board members, staff, administrators, teachers, sponsors and members of the community. Continue reading Tyler ISD Campuses Name Teachers of the Year

TYLER — There’s lots to report on improvements and updates at city parks in Tyler. The Southside Park bathroom reconstruction began on Feb. 27. In January, the City Council approved the investment of $43,364 for repairs at the park. That’s after a fire damaged the restroom facility, leaving it inoperable for park goers. Continue reading Tyler Parks See Many Updates and Improvements

TYLER – A 48-year-old Kilgore man has been sentenced in Tyler to 20 years in federal prison for three bank robberies. Hector Camargo pleaded guilty last September to bank robbery and use of a firearm during a violent crime. Authorities say Camargo robbed three Gregg County banks over a five-month span between November 2016 and April 2017. Those were the Citizens National Banks in Longview and Kilgore and the First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Kilgore.

EAST TEXAS — Troup ISD wasn’t the only district on edge this week. KETK reports a credible threat toward a New Diana ISD employee resulted in an arrest of a student Tuesday. Administrators say they received information that a student threatened to hurt the employee with a weapon. Then at Tatum ISD, officials received two tips about a reported threat. One person was detained and questioned, but officials told the Longview News-Journal the threat had not been made. And then, in Athens, a “disoriented” intruder was able to get into an elementary school. he went through a locked door that had malfunctioned. He was arrested by police within a few minutes of entry.

KILGORE — Family members have identified a man killed in a Wednesday morning house fire in Kilgore. According to KETK, the fire broke out around 4:00 a.m. on Idlywood Drive. Relatives identified the victim as Travis Fried, 75. His wife was able to escape unharmed. Officials believe the fire may have started in the kitchen.

TYLER — Tyler Police Officers were working traffic enforcement in the area of South Broadway around 11:45 Tuesday night when they heard gunshots. Upon investigation, they located a man running in the area of Dobbs street. The man told officers he was being shot at. Antywarn Jones, 33, Tyler, was standing in the middle of Dobbs street. He matched the description given by the victim. A 40 caliber handgun was found at the scene along with numerous shell casings. Jones was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into the Smith County Jail. The victim was not injured.

HARLETON – The Harleton ISD superintendent, who’s held the job since 2007, has been placed on leave without pay and is under investigation. According to KETK, Acting Superintendent Tina Cox says action was taken by the school board against Dr. Greg Coleman at the last meeting on February 20. A statement from the school board reads, in part, “As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter at this time.”

AUSTIN — University of Texas System regents have approved a new logo for UT Tyler. UTT President Dr. Michael Tidwell says the new design will focus on the four pillars of the university’s five-year strategic plan. Those include student success, student experience, research and scholarship, and community engagement. UTT plans a formal unveiling of the logo next week, at which time university officials are due to offer comments.

LONGVIEW – Two suspects in a Longview robbery have been indicted. KETK reports they were arrested last November, a short time after the EZ Mart on South High Street was robbed. An off duty officer who was driving in the area saw two men running from the store. The officer detained 25-year-old Christopher Lawrence Williams of Kilgore and 18-year-old Corey Tremayne Lilly of Longview. They were soon arrested and jailed on bonds of $100,000 each.

WOOD COUNTY — A 67-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman have died in a crash reported shortly after noon Monday on State Highway 37 about 2/10 of a mile north of Quitman. According to DPS, preliminary crash investigation shows that James Vollie Davis of Winnsboro was traveling south as Katherine Kay Cameron of Quitman was traveling north. Authorities say for an unknown reason, Davis crossed into the northbound lane, where he struck Cameron. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene; Cameron was transported to ETMC-Quitman, were she was pronounced dead a short time later.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department reports good news in its just-released crime statistics for 2017. The department is reporting a reduction in Part 1 crimes of 13.47% and an overall crime reduction of 3.67%. Part I crimes include homicide, aggravated and sexual assault, robbery, burglary, general theft, and auto theft. Police Chief Jimmy Toler says police will continue to strengthen and build relationships through such programs as the Enhanced Community Outreach initiatives.

PALESTINE — Palestine police have identified the man involved in a shooting with officers as Aaron Blagg of Palestine. KETK reports the pursuit started Friday morning from a local hotel. An officer had been searching for a suspect involved in a drug investigation. Police tried to pull the car over, but it took off. The driver eventually stopped and stepped out of the car; she was arrested. Police say Blagg, the passenger, went for his gun and was shot by an officer. Blag was taken to a Tyler hospital for a treatment for a life threatening injury. Officers searched the car and found cocaine, meth, heroin, marijuana, guns and almost $40,000 in cash.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A man suspected of dealing drugs is arrested following a traffic stop. Jamel Garrett, 29, was pulled over on State Highway 31 around 3:45 Monday afternoon after committing several traffic violations. A search of the vehicle uncovered what deputies believed to be crack, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax and marijuana. A loaded stolen gun was found in the trunk. Garrett was charged with two felony counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. The passenger, Keshon Thomas, 25, was charged with possession of marijuana.

SMITH COUNTY — In an impassioned speech Monday morning, Grassroots Executive Director JoAnn Fleming was critical of the Smith County District’s Attorney’s Office handling of vacation time. KETK reports, Fleming said their organization planned to bring forward the issue after the election, but expedited their findings after First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes issued a statement on Facebook in regard to the matter. Sikes released her statement after a DPS memo was shared revealing District Attorney candidate Jacob Putman had contacted the Texas Rangers for whistleblower protections. The documents also stated Putman did not care if the information was acted upon, but wanted protections if District Attorney Matt Bingham tried to fire him. Continue reading Grassroots Critical of Smith County District Attorney’s Office

DIANA – A 9-year-old girl has died after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 6:00 Monday night on SH-154 in Upshur County, just east of the city of Diana. Troopers said Isabella Grace Smith, Diana, was crossing the road to check the mail when she was hit by a truck driven by Patrick Johnson, 59, of Harleton. The driver was unable to see the child and struck her in the roadway. Smith was transported to Good Shepherd Medical center Longview where she was later pronounced dead. The crash remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — Only three Smith County roads remain closed due to high water from recent heavy rains. Officials report County Roads 2180, 420, and 421 will remain barricaded and off limits to drivers until the high water recedes enough to be safe. County Roads 354, 2138, 113 and 129 have been reopened.

RUSK – An East Texas actress who was known for her role in “Bernie” has died. According to KETK, family members say Kay Epperson of Rusk died Sunday night at age 75. The former hairdresser auditioned for the role of the “town gossip” in the film that starred Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Longview High School graduate Matthew McConaughey. She soon found herself in Bastrop working on the project. According to her IMDB page, Epperson also had roles in “Joe” with Nicolas Cage, “Everybody Wants Some,” and “Manglehorn” with Al Pacino. Visitation for Epperson will be held on Friday with the funeral to follow on Saturday.

TYLER — Visit Tyler has announced the 2018 Azalea Belles. The girls, dressed in antebellum garb, will greet visitors and answer questions during the annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, which runs March 16 through April 1. The girls are chosen through an application process and must also go through an orientation session. Continue reading 2018 Azalea Belles Announced

TYLER – Tyler ISD hosts three community meetings this week to discuss the newly approved Middle School Redesign plan. Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford will be joined by district administrators and Board of Trustees members to lay out the plan and answer questions. Light refreshments will be served. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. Following a Monday night get-together at Hogg Middle School, officials have scheduled a Tuesday gathering at Moore MST Magnet School and a final session Thursday at Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy.

TYLER – Minor injuries were reported in a car-train accident in Tyler Sunday afternoon. It occurred around 3:30 at the railroad crossing at Oakwood Street and Spring Avenue. A witness told officers the car had already entered onto to the tracks when the crossing arms came down. The driver tried to make a U-turn, but was hit by the slow moving train. In the car was a woman and three children ages 3, 9 and 10. The investigation into the accident is continuing.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of February 26. Weather conditions have had a significant impact on work schedules so some schedules have not changed from the previous week. Schedules are always subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

In Smith County, the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route is planning daily lane closures on Farm Road 16 at Toll 49, and on Interstate Highway 20 at Toll 49. Expect lane closures on FM 16 from 9:00am to 4:00pm., Monday-Friday, February 26 – March 2. Various I-20 lane closures will also be conducted from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday – Thursday, February 26 – March 1, and from 9:00am to noon, on Friday, March 2. The schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions. Local law enforcement will be assisting with work zone traffic control. Continue reading TxDot Area Road Work Update

LIBERTY CITY – One person has been arrested in connection with a Gregg County stabbing. It happened around 4:15 Friday morning on Smallwood Road in the Liberty City area. Joshua Hyatt, 30, of Tatum, was found in the road with stab wounds. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Sheriff’s department spokesman Josh Tubb based on what Wyatt and a witness told them, Hyatt and Carter Riley Brown, 20, of Gladewater, got into an argument over a woman. The argument led to the stabbing. Brown has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He’s being held in the Gregg County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

TYLER – A Tyler business was robbed Sunday morning. It was the Valero Gas Station on the Old Jacksonville Highway at Rice Road. The man, who had a handgun, entered the store around 4:30. He took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and fled on foot. He is described as a black male wearing blue pants, a grey jacket and red hat. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for four persons in connection with numerous stolen vehicles in Smith, Cherokee, Titus and Henderson counties. They are identified as Jacob Spivey, Frank Meadows, Ashley Hoag and Adam Leal. If you know where anyone of them may be found, you are asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. They say Jacob Spivey (pictured) is running from officers since he knows there is a warrant out for his arrest. He is known to stay in several locations in Tyler as well as Bullard. Authorities say Frank Meadows is a known drug dealer in the area. They feel he may be with Ashley Hoag, who has also been named in a felony warrant. As far as Adam Leal, investigators say he is known to stay in the North Tyler Area. You can see pictures of all of the suspects on the Smith County Sheriff Office’s web page.

GUN BARREL CITY – Two persons have been arrested on drug charges in Gun Barrel City. Concerned residents reported what they believed to be illegal drug activity. On Friday, the police served a search warrant at a residence on Tara Trace in the WillowWood subdivision. The two persons were arrested after officers found narcotics, paraphernalia, and weapons. The suspects names have not been released.

LONGVIEW – Crime dropped in Longview last year. The report was presented to the city council last week. According to the numbers presented by Police Chief Mike Bishop, violent crime dropped by 21.7%, property crime fell by 26.8% and the overall Part I crimes decreased by 26.4%. Murder dropped 50%, with 7 reported last year and 14 were reported in 2016. The only area not to see a decrease was in forcible rape, with 60 reported in Longview last year. The same number was recorded in 2016.

TYLER – Three persons have been arrested in connection with the Wednesday afternoon shooting in the parking lot at Best Buy, on South Broadway. Charged with aggravated assault was Wyatt Levi Proud, 22, of Tyler. He’s in jail under a $150,000 bond. Two persons, who were stopped the day of the shooting near Copeland And Shiloh roads were determined to be a part of the incident. Charged with unlawfully carry a weapon were Davonta Tramane Hill, 24, and Michael Franklin, 17, of Tyler. Investigators said an altercation in the parking lot led to the shooting. They say it was a drug related incident. No injuries were reported.