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MARSHALL – East Texas Baptist University in Marshall has entered into its 9th articulation agreement with area schools. The latest is with Angelina College. The agreement was signed Thursday morning by ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn and AC President Michael J. Simon. It will provide an affordable avenue for AC students to pursue a quality, Christian education at East Texas Baptist. The agreement will enable a smooth transition through the admissions and enrollment process. It also guarantees a successful transfer of approved credit hours to ETBU from AC for transferring students. Continue reading ETBU and Angelina College Join Forces

TYLER – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler has been named a Top General Hospital for the second time in four years. The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization. To qualify for the award, hospitals must submit a Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The selection of Top Hospitals 2017 is based on surveys from nearly 1,900 hospitals. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors.

PRICE — East Texas high school administrators say they’re doing everything they can to find out why several girls have started having regular seizures on campus. KETK reports Carlisle ISD Superintendent Mike Payne is perplexed. Five of his high school students began having seizures about a month ago, and now the episodes are happening more and more frequently. Two traits connect them all: the students are girls and are involved in high school athletics. The seizures have happened in the classroom, at pep rallies, and even during a basketball game.

GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas gang member has been sentenced to 11 years behind bars on a deadly conduct charge. According to KETK, Otto Estell, of Longview, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and one year in State Jail. He’s a TYB gang member. The case stems from an October 10, 2016, incident in which Longview police responded to a shots fired call. Police at the scene located two people who matched the suspect’s description, however, the suspects were able to get away. No on was hurt inside the home where shots were fired. Police recovered the weapons used in the shooting and later arrested Estell at Good Shepherd Medical Center after receiving a report of an individual admitted with a gunshot wound to the buttocks. Estell will serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police have arrested a woman in the robbery of a 75 year old woman. The robbery occurred in the woman’s home on West Gray Avenue shortly after 10:15 Wednesday morning. She told officers a woman entered her home with a knife and demanded money. She left with an undisclosed amount of money. Gladewater Police detectives later got a warrant for Lasandra Ann Peoples, 39 of Gladewater, and arrested her without incident around 5:15 Wednesday afternoon. She has been charged with aggravated robbery.

PITTSBURG – A Longview man has pleaded guilty to a Camp County murder. After pleading guilty in state district court in Pittsburg Wednesday, Jaylon Lamar Jones, 24, was sentenced to life in prison. He is accused of shooting three persons during a robbery in Pittsburg in June of 2015. It occurred at a residence on North Greer Boulevard. Two of the persons, Traderrion Crowder, 24, of Pittsburg, and Keelean Walker, 22, of Longview , died in the shooting and a third person was wounded. After a warrant was issued for Jones, he turned himself in to authorities.

AUSTIN – Sales tax allocation checks are in the mail from the State of Texas. Both Tyler and Longview will be getting a little more than they did last year. The state comptroller’s office is sending out just over $695 million in local sales tax allocations for December. This is up nearly 11% from December of last year. The funds are based upon sales made in October. Tyler’s sales tax allocation for December is over $3.1 million, or nearly 5 1/2 percent above last December. For the year, Tyler has received over $40 million, and increase of over 3 1/2%. Longview’s December check is for $2.2 million, an over 10% increase from last year. For the year’s Longview’s sales tax allocation is over $29.6 million, an increase of about half a percentage point.

TYLER – With just over two weeks to go, the Salvation Army in Tyler is under half way toward this years goal on its Red Kettle Drive. So far, the Salvation Army has been has been able to raise 27% of this year’s goal. But, with time running out, they still have a way to got to reach this year’s goal of $375,000 in Smith County. The funds are used in many ways. During last year’s Christmas holidays alone, The Salvation Army assisted 3,976 people, gave 13,182 gifts and 1,088 Christmas food boxes to families in need. And this is just a sample of what the Salvation Army does for those in need of hope. Donations can be given at any Red Kettle, online at http://www.salvationarmytyler.org or by texting jingle to 41444.

TYLER – The CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Ross Breast Center has announced it is now the first health care organization in Northeast Texas offering patients the Hologic® 3D Mammography System and the Genius® 3D Mammography Exam. The equipment gives providers the ability to detect up to 65%more invasive breast cancer. Conventional 2D mammograms provide doctors with a 2D image to evaluate the breast. This can be limiting due to overlapping layers of tissue, which can sometimes produce unclear results or false alarms. Genius exams deliver a series of detailed breast images, allowing physicians to better evaluate patients’ breasts layer by layer. According to the hospital, studies show that the Genius 3D Mammography exam has greater accuracy than 2D mammography for women across a variety of ages and breast densities, and it is the only mammogram FDA-approved as superior for women with dense breasts.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested on numerous drug charges. Michael Jermaine Roberson, 25, of Longview was held Tuesday on bonds totaling $108,500, according to the Longview News-Journal. Officers arrested Roberson after watching him as he repeatedly left his apartment to meet with people in their vehicles. Roberson was said to be in possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, digital scales and a coffee grinder with heroin residue. He was charged with three counts of manufacturing or delivering, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of a controlled substance. Roberson was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and evading arrest. Roberson attempted to outrun officers when they tried to arrest him during a traffic stop.

GILMER – A Kilgore man has waived his right to a jury trial for an Upshur County murder. The Court will now proceed in January with the case against Xavier Mumphrey, 19. He is one of four defendants charged in the murder of Kendrick Lemichael Jackson, 29. He was found shot to death in his home in the Lafayette community of Upshur County. A co-defendant, Decorian Quantez Robbins, 19, of Avinger, is scheduled for jury selection on January 8.

TYLER — A body found in Tyler last Friday has been positively identified. Tyler police say the body found off Shiloh Road is that of Brandon Harward, 32. They also say the preliminary autopsy showed no signs of foul play. Harward had been missing since October 23rd. Family and friends of Harward held a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening at Arbor Creek Apartments on Shiloh Road.

GILMER – An Upshur County woman has received a stiff prison sentence for drug possession. Kristal Lynne Bragg, 43, of Gilmer, Texas, pleded guilty to the second degree felony of possession of a controlled substance. The offense occurred in June of this year. Bragg was sentenced to 20 years in prison. As a condition of the plea, she waived her right to appeal.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of New Chapel Hill during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. The presentation came from Mayor Riley Harris, who has served his city for the last 10 years. Except for a few years living in Winona, Harris has lived in New Chapel Hill his entire life. The city of New Chapel Hill formed in 1969, but there was a school there long before that time. It was a farming community, where people raised peanuts, cotton and tomatoes. According to Harris, the city has “very little business,” brings in little income and has little growth. “I think that’s kind of the way the city likes it,” he said. “It’s been that way all of my life.” Continue reading New Chapel Hill Highlighted Before County Commissioners

LONGVIEW – Two persons will be on the ballot early next year for the special election for the Longview City Council. The district 3 position has been vacated by Kasha Williams who has announced she is running for the Gregg County Commissioner Precinct 4 position. The filing deadline for the city race ended on Monday for the February 3rd election. Filing for the city post is Lonnie Murphy, who is retired and Wray Wade, a business owner. They are scheduled to draw for positions on the ballot Thursday morning. Early voting in the election is at city hall starting on January 17th.

TYLER – Final exams on paper are one way to find out what a student knows. But the final exam for the Criminalistics II course at Tyler Junior College took a different form. TJC’s Pirtle Technology Center was transformed into a mock crime scene for the student’s final exam. The scene was secured with crime scene tape. It included empty alcohol containers, fired bullet casings, stage-prop-style weapons, imitation blood stains, and a crime scene dummy that simulated a body. There was also a dirt area outside with shoe impressions. Next semester, many of these students will continue their criminal justice education with a more intense class in the associate degree program. Continue reading A Crime Scene at TJC That was Not a Crime Scene

TYLER – One of two armed robbery suspects sought by Tyler police, who have been described as armed and dangerous, has been arrested. Tyler police and the US Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force arrested Devonte Antoinne Black, 23, of Tyler. He was arrested Monday on Rice Road for aggravated robbery. When arrested, he was in possession of marijuana. Officers are still looking for Dikembi Spencer, 18, of Tyler. They are wanted for a November 14th armed robbery at the Fox Run Apartments. They are said to have stolen A pound of marijuana along with a firearm.

EUSTACE – Henderson County authorities have arrested a woman outside a game room on drug charges. Sarah Jo Donaldson, 45,of Eustace, was arrested around 3:45 Tuesday morning near County Road 2830 and State Highway 198. A deputy detected the order of burning marijuana coming from her vehicle. Inside the vehicle they found a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana along with paraphernalia commonly used to smoke it. She was booked into the Henderson County Detention Center for possession of a controlled substance.

AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today he is endorsing Matt Schaefer for re-election. Schaefer is the State Representative of House District 6. According to a news release from Austin, “Representative Schaefer has been committed to working with Governor Abbott to secure our border and implement pro-life protections, and Governor Abbott is honored to endorse his candidacy for re-election.”

TYLER – The Tyler Fire Department has released the final version of this year’s Cold Weather Response Plan. Last month, a group of representatives from various public service agencies met to discuss the plan and offered suggestions for improvements. It is designed to serve as a guide and to provide useful information to the public. It includes tips on avoiding exposures, as well as recognizing the signs and symptoms of cold weather-related emergencies. It also highlights resources that are available to the public during the winter months, including sheltering locations. You can go to the Tyler Fire Department’s website, http://www.tylerfiredept.com to see the plan.

RUSK — A Houston man has been killed in a Cherokee County accident involving two tractor-trailer trucks. It happened shortly before 9:00 Monday morning on U.S. Highway 69, just south of Rusk. Dead at the scene was Aurelio Amaya, 46. Keith Jackson, 46, of Nacogdoches, was treated and released at a Tyler hospital. According to the Department of Public Safety report, Jackson’s truck was traveling west on County Road1101 and Amaya’s truck was heading north on Highway 69. The report says Jackson failed to yield the right of way, entering the intersection of US-69 in front of Amaya and the two vehicles collided. The accident remains under investigation.

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to fully enforce a ban on travel to the United States by residents of six mostly Muslim countries. Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert said the travel ban should have been a’ho-hum, but of course’ ruling. But Gohmert said, with judges and justices becoming ever the legislative and executive branches while wearing black robes, this was an absolutely critical ruling. And he added, ” We are grateful the Supreme Court took it up promptly before lower courts ended up with both blood and a shredded Constitution on their hands.” This is not a final ruling on the travel ban: Challenges to the policy are winding through the federal courts, and the justices themselves ultimately are expected to rule on its legality.

LONGVIEW – Three persons have been arrested on drug and weapons charges in Longview. The arrests came as the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, the police department’s Special Investigations and Apprehensions Unit and the SWAT Team served search warrants at two separate locations. Arrested on Idylwood was Bob Huiett Jr., 42. Arrested at a home on Myrle Street were Ronnie Dwayne Fitts, 46 and Adrian Deron Fitts, 27. All three are from Longview. Continue reading Three Busted in Longview on Drug Charges

TYLER – Last month, over two dozen persons were killed at a rural Texas Church. To make sure you are prepared for such a situation, the Smith County Sheriff’s Department is offering Active Shooter training. The free training is Tuesday night at at 6:30 at Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church. It will cover such items as common actions of the suspect, the law enforcement response and actions you can take to help you and your loved ones survive such an attack. This subject is graphic and some portions of the training may not be suitable for children under the age of 13. You can get more information by contacting Sgt. Darrell Coslin at the sheriff’s department.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s office is alerting area residents to an email scam. According to the email it is from D H L Express. It says, “the address we have on our record is incorrect and this has hindered the delivery of your pack.” It then list a label number. It then says to view the document and revert as soon as possible.” It also notes that parcels that are undelivered within one week will be returned to the sender. The sheriff’s department says not to click on the link. If you want to check the validity of an email from DHL call them directly at 1-800-225-5345.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman is accused of assault on a peace officer after being accused of biting one. Jasmine Mychelle Fluellen, 20, was found in a vacant apartment on South Fredonia Street Saturday morning. Officers say she started walking away from them, disobeying their commands to stop. As they approached her, she is said to have tried to punch an officer. And, as she was being handcuffed, she is said to have bitten an officer on the leg. She’s in the Gregg County Jail under a $40,000 bond.

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the week of Dec. 4. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. In Smith County, daily lane closures continue on I-20 eastbound and westbound at Toll 49 as the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route conducts work on the Toll 49 Mainlane Bridge. These daytime closures are set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Dec. 4 through Dec. 15. Work will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. No weekend work is planned. Go to http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/062-2017.html for a complete rundown.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating a fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Police say around 9:23 p.m. Saturday, officers were sent to the site of the mishap on East End Boulevard South near the Johnson Street intersection. 59-year-old Raymond Williams of Marshall was initially taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall and later transferred to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, where he died. Police said further details were pending.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an East Texan wanted for abandoning or endangering a child, a state jail felony. KETK reports Payton Raymond, 23, is known to frequent the Flint and Chandler areas. Through an investigation, detectives learned that Raymond’s 9-month-old child tested positive for methamphetamine. Contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 with any information.