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PALESTINE – A Palestine teacher has been arrested. Detectives arrested Samantha Woolverton, 32, at her home on Tuesday. Woolverton has been transported to the Anderson County jail and booked on the charge of improper relationship between educator and Student, a second-degree felony. The investigation is ongoing.

TROUP – Smith County Road 2180, off of Mixon Road near Troup, has been reopened after county road and bridge crews replaced a culvert. The section of the road between County Road 2181 and Farm Road 344, was closed on Monday. The work was expected to take a few days, but was completed on Tuesday. County crews also did some tree removal work while in the area.

MARSHALL – Two-time Academy award winner Denzel Washington has pledged to renew a $1 million gift to Wiley College to continue his funding of its debate program. Washington first donated $1 million to the school in 2007 to support the re-establishment of its program. It had been inactive since the early 1900s, when it was led by English professor and poet, Melvin B. Tolson. Washington starred in and directed the film, “The Great Debaters,” which chronicled the history of the team under Tolson’s mentoring and coaching. Continue reading Denzel Washington Renews His Gift to Wiley College

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University has been named as one of the top four-year colleges and universities in the nation for providing dynamic pathways to support transfer students from community colleges. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society named LETU to its 2018 Transfer Honor Roll, and will recognize the school at the organization’s annual convention in April in Kansas City, Missouri.

MARSHALL – East Texas Baptist University has exceeded the School of Nursing Campaign goal of $1.8 million with the support of over 180 donors for a total of more than $2.3 million. The University intends to start construction this summer in anticipation of relocating the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand in the spring semester of 2019. “ETBU looks forward to seeing scores of students, staff, and faculty using the Marshall Grand,” said school President J. Blair Blackburn. “With the University’s presence in Downtown Marshall, our local businesses will benefit from the impact on economic development.”

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Troup during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. The presentation came from Troup Mayor Joe Carlyle, who is proud of the city he grew up in and still calls his home. Since serving Troup, Carlyle has seen many changes, including the city becoming more financially solvent, adopting new zoning ordinances, hiring a strong administrator, Gene Cottle, as city manager, completing several capital improvement projects, downtown sidewalk projects, and improving water and waste water infrastructure. Continue reading Troup Featured Before Smith County Commissioners

TYLER – Smith County residents will be able to celebrate Texas Independence Day with fireworks this year. The county commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize fireworks sales from February 25 through midnight on March 2. Although fireworks can be discharged any time of year, there are only certain state-approved holidays when fireworks can be sold in Texas, including July 4 and New Year’s. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said she sees no reason for the court not to approve fireworks sales. She said there have not had any issues in the past. The Commissioners Court will consider approving fireworks sales for San Jacinto Day and Memorial Day at future meetings.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is sending out a gas skimmer alert to area business owners. A gas pump skimmer was found Monday at the Exxon station at Highway 31 and Business 259. This one was hidden inside the gas pump, so it was not visible to the public. They are asking businesses to check their machines and to call them if they find something suspicious. They feel, if one has been found, there are probably others in the area. They even recommend that you walk inside the store and swipe your card. Its less convenient, but your card will not be compromised.

HENDERSON – The arrest of two persons on arson charges in Henderson County may have solved other arson cases. There have been numerous abandoned home fires in the Cherokee Shores area. Following a long investigation, arrested Monday were Tommy Lee Turner, 30, and Haley Lyhn Skaggs, 25, both of Mabank. Henderson County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg tells KETK, while the two have been charged with just one of the fires, but they may be responsible for the others. He says the investigation is continuing and more charges are likely to follow. Continue reading Two Charged With Arson in Henderson County

TYLER – A Smith County sheriff’s deputy has been injured while serving a warrant. Deputy Joshua Cox had to have a tourniquet put on his hand after being pushed through a window while struggling with Tyler Shane Kennedy, 27. It happened early Monday evening at a residence on Rocky Lane. The deputies were serving a warrant on Kennedy for endangering a child when he started struggling with them. Deputy Cox was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. Kennedy was taken to jail where, besides the warrant, he is now charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and resisting arrest. His bonds top $800,000.

MABANK — A toddler was taken to a Dallas hospital on Monday after being shot in the face in the Mabank area. According to KETK, Henderson County officials say the 18-month-old was shot at a house on Albany Drive around 11:30 Monday morning. The child was taken to a local hospital before being flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Officials are trying to determine if the shooting was accidental or intentional. No arrests have been made.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — An East Texas man has been arrested following an hours-long standoff in Cherokee County. According to KETK, Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies were called to County Road 1418 in Gallatin around midnight. The property owner is said to have gotten upset a family living in a travel trailer on his property. Cherokee County Sheriff Jim Campbell says the family was given permission to be on the property by the property owner, but they had gotten into an argument. The property owner began making threats to harm and kill the family in the travel trailer. The family left the property. Continue reading Property Owner Arrested following Stand-Off

MILLBROOK, Ala. (AP) — Authorities in Alabama have identified the suspect and the victim in a child porn video being shared around the world. News outlets report that the victim has been located and is safe. Central Alabama CrimeStoppers announced warrants Monday against 44-year-old Germaine Moore of Millbrook, just outside Montgomery. The Marshall Police Department had been warning the public about the disturbing video being shared on social media nationwide, including here in East Texas. Continue reading Suspect, Victim in Widely Shared Child Porn Video Identified

LONGVIEW – The special election for Longview city council precinct 3 has been won by Wray Wade. Saturday night’s unofficial tally was Wade 188 and his brother-in-law Lonnie Murphy 164. But, there were 47 mail in ballots that had not been returned to the city secretary’s office. If mailed and postmarked by the Friday deadline, they could have made a difference in the election. Late Monday afternoon, city spokesman Shawn Hara told KTBB that no additional ballots were received in the mail Monday, so Saturday’s count stands as reported. The outcome of the election will become official after the city council canvasses the results at 11:45am next Monday. The election is to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kasha Williams. She is stepping down to run for the Democratic nomination for Gregg County Pct. 4 county commissioner

HENDERSON – A burn ban is now in effect in Rusk County. The ban, issued by Rusk County commissioners, went into effect on Monday. It is to be in effect for a period not to exceed 90 days or unless terminated earlier.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying some vehicle burglars. On the morning of January 28th, shortly after 4:15, the trio committed vehicle burglaries in southwest Marshall. Their actions were caught on a home surveillance video system and show the three entering vehicles and taking various items. Continue reading Marshall Auto Burglars Sought

LONGVIEW – A fire that killed an elderly Gregg County woman is said to have been accidental. At a Monday afternoon news conference, Gregg County Fire Marshal, Mark Moore, identified the victim as 95 year old Syble Alexander. The fire was reported shortly after 4:15 Friday afternoon on Maxey Road north of Longview. Moore said the woman was outdoor burning when the fire spread to the grass and then her residence. Her son, who lives with her, was not a home when the fire started. Alexander was the secretary to former Gregg County Judge Henry Atkinson.

TYLER – Grassroots America says it is not changing its endorsement in the Smith County District Attorney’s race. At a Monday morning news conference, the group’s executive director, JoAnn Fleming, said they are still backing Assistant Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman. Fleming said they made the decision after reviewing Putman’s cases and an internal audit released by District Attorney Matt Bingham that was critical of the candidate. She said Putman’s work was also reviewed by outside, independent groups. Fleming said, after all of this, they dismissed the entire internal audit and will continue to endorse Putman. Continue reading Grassroots America Still Backing Putman

MARSHALL – The man said to be responsible for an incident at a Marshall Whataburger, that left two law enforcement officers injured, is in jail. James Rashard Singleton, 25, of Marshall, surrendered to detectives at the Marshall Police Department shortly before noon on Monday. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail where he is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest. Continue reading Man Arrested For Marshall Restaurant Incident

HENDERSON – An additional reward is being issued in connection with a Henderson robbery. Crime Stoppers had already issued a reward in the January 13th robbery of the The Henderson East Texas Professional Credit Union on East Main Street. The credit union is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests in the case. A man and a woman, both armed with handguns, took an undisclosed amount of money in the robbery. No injuries were reported.

Continue reading Reward Increased in Henderson Robbery

LONGVIEW – Because of citizen involvement, a Longview burglary suspect is in custody. Charged with burglary of a vehicle is Frederick Eugene Williams, 39, of Longview. The victim is said to have seen the man take a cell phone from his car. The victim, and numerous other persons, began following Williams. Longview police arrived to arrest him and to recover the cell phone. Williams remains in the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER – The president and CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, Elmer Ellis, says he is looking forward to his retirement later this month. Ellis plans to step down February 28th. The native of Paris, Texas, moved to Tyler in 1968. He assumed the role of assistant administrator of Medical Center Hospital, now East Texas Medical Center-Tyler. He was named the hospital President and CEO in 1985. Several special events – including a service awards dinner, honoring his 50 years of service to ETMC, community leadership reception and ETMC team member reception – will take place during the month.

TYLER – Smith County commissioners recently created the post of fleet administrator. They have now hired a person for that post. They hired Brian J. Reynolds to fill the position. Reynolds, of Hutto, was hired after a nation-wide search for candidates. Reynolds was most recently director of fleet operations for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, where he had been since 2014. The new fleet administrator will work to establish county-wide policies and practices concerning vehicle use, repair and replacement of vehicles. He will also work to reduce the age of the county fleet while bringing financial savings in the areas of maintenance and replacement costs.

TROUP – Smith County Road 2180, off of Mixon Road near Troup, will be closed for the next few days so Road and Bridge crews can replace a culvert. The section of the road that is closed is between County Road 2181 and Farm Road 344. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said removing the old pipe and replacing it should take about three days, depending on the weather. County crews will also be doing some tree removal while in the area.

TYLER — Tyler Police are continuing to investigate a fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Killed was Dammon Spencer, 18, of Tyler. The accident happened shortly after 7:15 Sunday night on WNW Loop 323 near the Stafford Inn. Police say Spencer was crossing the Loop from south to north when he was struck by a vehicle. He was hit by an eastbound vehicle in the center lane and was hit again by a second vehicle. Spencer was pronounced dead at a Tyler hospital.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler Police said they responded to a report of an aggravated assault around 11:50 at the American Legion building on Gaston. A man had been stabbed several times in the abdomen and was taken to a local hospital. The suspect, Richard Lamont Evaige, Tyler, 67, was arrested a short time later at his residence. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim and witnesses said an argument broke out over how things should run at the establishment. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

SMITH COUNTY – A multi vehicle wreck north of Tyler had traffic at a stand still for several hours today. The Department of Public Safety reports the 8 vehicle accident occurred Sunday afternoon in the west bound lanes of the interstate near Lavender Road at the 556 mile marker. The west bound lanes were reopened around 6:00pm.

TYLER – Monday is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 6 Primary Election. The registration is for new voters or those who have moved. There is no need for people to re-register. The election will include contested races for U.S. and state representatives, judges, district attorney, district clerk, commissioner and justices of the peace. Most of the contested races will be decided in the primary election. You can register at the Smith County elections office on East Ferguson, or online, at Votetexas.gov. If registering online, the application must be printed out, signed and postmarked by Monday. Early voting starts February 20th.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week of February 5th. Weather conditions or other unforeseen issues could change these work schedules.

In Smith County, another nighttime closure will move Interstate Highway 20 traffic to the ramps for work on the Farm Road 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes beginning at 7:00pm, Wednesday, February 7, when both eastbound and westbound traffic are diverted to the ramps as work is conducted on the new bridge. The roadway will be returned to normal traffic flow at 6:00am, Thursday, February 8. Additional project information is available in the Smith County projects section of this release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update