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SMITH COUNTY — A fatal wreck on Loop 49 in Smith County Wednesday night is under investigation. It happened around 7:30 just north of Highway 64. According to the Department of Public Safety report, a truck hauling a trailered Mustang was traveling south on Loop 49 when the vehicle rolled off the trailer into traffic. A truck traveling in the northbound lane of Loop 49 struck the Mustang, killing the truck’s driver. He was identified as John Turner, 23, Quitman. Two passengers were transported to East Texas Medical Center. Their conditions are not known.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has arrested a man who caused a standoff on Wednesday near downtown Tyler. According to KETK, police converged on the area of North Border Avenue and West Wilson Street around 12:45 p.m., where aggravated robbery suspect, Mario Arroyo, 51 of Tyler, had been holed up inside a residence on West Wilson. Police took Arroyo into custody around 4:15 p.m. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated robbery. He was also charged with DWI 3rd or more. Bond was set at $250,000. Arroyo is being held on an immigration detainer from Dallas County. Continue reading Tyler Standoff Suspect Remains Jailed

TROUP — Two people have been arrested after the Smith County Sheriff’s Department and Troup Police executed a car chase that turned into a manhunt. Taylor Ray Bowles, 28, and Kimberly Ann Hawkins, 30, were arrested. According to KETK, Bowles has felony arrest warrants. Around 5:00 Wednesday, Smith County Sheriff’s department responded to a suspicious vehicle off of highway 64 East near Chapel Hill. Officers say a male and female were walking down the road with a gas can not far from the vehicle. As police arrived Bowles ran away into the woods. Police set up a perimeter attempting to contain him, only to find out he had escaped. Continue reading Troup Man Arrested Following Chase, Manhunt

PALESTINE — Voters in Palestine will have the chance to decide if a portion of the city’s sales tax will be used for infrastructure improvements. The Palestine City Council has voted to call for a special election on the May 6 ballot to dedicate .125 percent of sales tax in the city for road construction and maintenance. The money will come from a portion of sales taxes set for property tax relief. If voters approve Proposition 1, the money designated would go into a dedicated fund that can only be used for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. Property taxes could rise as a result of Proposition 1. If voters approve Proposition 1, the money designated would go into a dedicated fund that can only be used for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. Property taxes could rise as a result of the measure.

LONGVIEW — Traffic is now open on Center Street from Tyler to Cotton Street in Longview. This initiates Phase 2 road closure just north on Center Street from Methvin to Tyler. You’re asked to use caution while work is being completed. This street work is part of the 2011 Bond Fund. This project consists of reconstructing Center Street with curb and gutter, upgraded drainage inlets, sidewalks, signs, and water and sewer improvements. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction, call the City’s Project Manager, Kevin Chumbley, at 903-237-1112.

TYLER — A standoff near downtown Tyler ended around 4:15 Wednesday afternoon. KETK reports it started around 12:45 p.m. as officers converged on the area of North Border Avenue and West Wilson Street. A man in a house there was identified as Mario Arroyo, 51 of Tyler. Several persons were earlier let out of the house, but Arroyo, an aggravated robbery suspect, remained inside. Along the way, authorities arrested his son. Noe Arroyo, 25, has been charged with evading arrest for a parole warrant.

MARSHALL – Marshall Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a fugitive. Joe Michael Allen, 25, of Marshall its believed to be in the East Texas area. They say he is to be considered armed and dangerous. He has outstanding felony warrants from several different jurisdictions, including Dallas and Marshall. Anyone with information on Allen’s location is urged to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

SMITH COUNTY – Three persons have been arrested following the theft of an ATV in Smith County. It was reported a man had been given permission to remove some old scrap metal from some property. He was seen loading the ATV on a trailer. He left even after being told he couldn’t take it. Sheriff’s department investigators executed a search warrant Wednesday on County Road 317. They found the stolen ATV along with firearms and narcotics. Arrested were Kristin Nicole Gannaway (pictured) for possession of dangerous drug, Tina Louse Vickers, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana and Kelly Joe Vickers for parole violation. They are still looking for Jimmy Roy Butler on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and theft of property. Continue reading Search Warrant Leads to 3 Smith County Arrests

LONGVIEW — Police have added charges to a Longview man who reportedly asked a fellow jail inmate if he would be willing to kill a victim assaulted in a robbery this past year. KETK reports Jimmy Edward Harris Jr. was arrested February 17. A man sharing a cell with Harris in the Gregg County Jail notified police that Harris admitted to committing a robbery in October in which he beat a retired police officer and stole his car. The inmate also told police that Harris asked him if he would be willing to kill the victim so there would be no witness to the robbery. Harris is being held on bonds totaling $504,000. He’s charged with aggravated robbery, failure to stop and give information, and the unauthorized use of a vehicle.

TYLER – A 24-year-old Dallas woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for her role in a series of violent crimes in East Texas. Chanel Collins had pleaded guilty on Apr. 8, 2016, to aiding in the commission of a car-jacking and bank robbery. According to information presented in court, on Mar. 13, 2015, Collins drove LaQuaylan Patterson from Wood County to an apartment complex in Tyler so that he could commit an armed carjacking. Continue reading Dallas Woman Sentenced in East Texas Bank Robbery & Carjacking

TYLER — Tyler Police have issued several arrest warrants related to a robbery at the Walmart on South Broadway over the weekend. The suspects are identified as LeTroy Merritt, 32,(pictured) and Zaira Patterson, 20, both of Shreveport, La. Merritt was an Assistant Manager of the Walmart that was robbed. Investigators believe he played an intricate role in planning and assisting with the robbery. Patterson was the female who assisted the gunman in the office in gathering the money and was also the driver who struck the Good Samaritan with the vehicle who attempted to stop them. Both suspects were arrested for aggravated robbery Monday by the Western Louisiana Fugitive Task Force after receiving information from the US Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force on the outstanding warrants from Tyler Police Department. Continue reading More Suspects Arrested Following Walmart Robbery

LONGVIEW – Longview police have established a safe zone for people to meet and buy and sell items advertised through online marketplaces. The safe exchange zone is located right in front of the police department.The 300 West Cotton Street location is well-lit and has 24 hour video surveillance. And the police also encourage the use of the safe exchange zone for child custody exchanges. If you decide not to use the safe exchange zone, they say you might consider meeting at a major retail store parking lot or other very visible public space.

TYLER – Jury duty in Smith County on Wednesday has been cancelled. If you have a Smith County jury summons for Wednesday, you do not have to report to the Smith County Courthouse. Smith County Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett said no new panels will be needed. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.

VAN (AP) — The investigation continues into a murder and suicide in Van Zandt County that left three persons dead. Authorities have identified the dead as 68 year old Terry Combs, his ex-wife, Brenda, 67, and his grand daughter, 20 year old Fawn, (pictured) all of Van. Investigators say Brenda and Terry were divorced but still lived at the same residence with daughter Dawn, and her daughter Fawn. All three bodies were taken to Forensic Medical of Texas in Tyler for autopsies. The shooting occurred around 5:00 Monday afternoon on Farm Road 314 South of Van. Continue reading Three Killed in Van Zandt County Identified

DALLAS (AP/Staff) — Johnny Manziel is trying to reassure a judge concerned that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback isn’t being serious about the conditions of getting his domestic violence case dismissed, saying his “life is trending upward” and that he is “taking care of this.” And apparently Manziel is having some success. Dallas judge Roberto Canas called the hearing Tuesday because Manziel missed a deadline to provide the court an update on how the former Cleveland player was meeting stipulations that include him participating in a substance-abuse program through the NFL or something similar. The judge has now agreed to let Manziel continue with his plea deal. Continue reading Manziel to Continue with Plea Deal, Will Remain Out of Jail

TATUM — Tatum ISD officials on Monday gave the name of a district official who resigned last week. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the information came in response to a News-Journal public information request. The district said Tatum High School Assistant Principal Thomas Sheppard resigned amid an investigation. Late Thursday, the district said it was notified Feb. 20 of possible inappropriate communication between an employee and students. The employee was placed on administrative leave during the investigation but resigned while on administrative leave, Drenon Fite, assistant superintendent of human resources and community relations, said last week. Continue reading Tatum ISD Identifies Resigned Employee

TYLER — The U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force Monday arrested a suspect in numerous Smith County Church burglaries last year. Tyler police say 36-year-old say Kinon Peacock was picked up in Houston based on a collateral lead from the US Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Police say Peacock was located at a residence hiding in a closet when he was taken into custody. The Tyler Police Department had three outstanding warrants on Peacock for burglary of a building. Continue reading Suspect Taken Into Custody in Numerous Church Burglaries

VAN (AP) — The Van Zandt County sheriff’s office says a man fatally shot two female family members while two others were able to escape the home during the attack. The shooting occurred late Monday afternoon at the home near Van. After shooting the two women, the gunman then fatally shot himself. The bodies were found in different rooms of the house. Another woman and her daughter, also members of the same family, escaped when the shooting began and notified authorities. Sheriff’s officials have not released the names of the gunman or his victims, and have not disclosed a motive for the shooting.

KILGORE – A Longview woman is free on bond after being accused of stabbing her husband during an argument. Darelene Annette Crooms, 40, has been charged with aggravated assault of a date/family/household member with a weapon. She is free on a $25,000 bond. According to the Longview News Journal, she was arrested by Kilgore police after she was said to have stabbed her husband several times, including in the neck. Police say he was not in critical condition.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man remains in the Gregg County Jail after he was said to have threatened to shoot his stepsister. The Longview News Journal reports Robert Louis Smith, 47, was arrested Friday. Police were called to a home on Pleasant Green Road where a woman Smith said pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her. She said he even shot the lock off of a locker during their argument. Smith has been charged with aggravated assault of a date/family/household member with a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bonds total $120,000.

MARSHALL – Traffic began flowing normally again late Monday afternoon on Interstate Highway 20 in Harrison County following a multi-vehicle accident. Traffic had to be redirected at Highway 59 into Marshall then to State Highway 43 back to the interstate. The wreck happened Monday morning near the 617 Mile Marker. The Department of Public Safety reported that a truck tractor towing a semi-trailer loaded with plywood was westbound when the driver lost control. The vehicle roll over, spilling the load across the Interstate Highway. Several cars crashed while attempting to avoid the hazard. Four people were been transported to a Marshall hospital in stable condition.

QUITMAN – A murder trial for a Wood County man, which had been set to begin on Monday, is being rescheduled. The trial of Jason Russell Walter, 41, has now been reset for June 12th. Walter is accused of the shooting death of Christopher Jason Griffin, 19, of Mineola. The shooting occurred on Father’s Day of 2014. It stemmed from an argument that started inside a Mineola convenience store The shooting occurred after the argument moved outside and behind the store. Walters was at the scene with a gun when police arrived.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for three men involved it a hit and run accident. It happened just before 12:15 Monday afternoon at the intersection of North Palace and Nutbush Street. Police say a blue car, being chased by an SUV, ran a stop sign and hit an ice cream truck. As the two men, who were said to be armed, ran from the vehicle, which contained narcotics, The SUV, driven by a Hispanic male, tried to to run over them. The driver of the SUV was later able to evade a police officer following a brief chase. The ice cream truck driver is hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

HENDERSON – The Department of Public Safety reports a Henderson man died in a weekend accident in Rusk County. Pronounced dead at the scene was Daniel Hampton, 45. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 259, about 5 miles north of Henderson, late Saturday afternoon. Hampton is said to have lost control of his pickup which hit two stopped vehicles from behind. His pickup then left the road and hit a mailbox and a tree. The drivers of the other two vehicles were not injured.

QUITMAN — More details have been released in the arrest of a former Wood County fire chief. According to KETK, Sheriff Tom Castloo says former Ogburn Fire Chief Darren Shane Bledsoe of Winnsboro was arrested after three incidents of “non egregious” spending, on items such as food, while getting gas with a company card. He was charged with three counts of abuse of official capacity. Bledsoe’s bond was set at $1,000 on each charge. He was released on $3,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — The High Street underpass will have the right lane closed to traffic from Tyler Street to Cotton Street beginning Tuesday February 28. Initially, the northbound outside lane will be closed. Once work is completed, the southbound outside lane will be closed. The purpose of the project is to install a brick veneer and replace the sidewalk, curb and gutter. Continue reading Portion of High Street Underpass Closed

TYLER – Three persons have been arrested in connection with the robbery of the Wal-Mart store on South Broadway in Tyler. Taken into custody was Breonna Poole, 22, Justice Poole, 18, and a 14 year old juvenile, all of Shreveport, Louisiana. Investigators continue to seek the identity of more suspects in the case, which happened shortly after 11:45 Saturday night. Witnesses say several persons entered the store with a gun, held a store employee at gunpoint, took and undisclosed amount of money, and then fled. A pedestrian was hit by a fleeing suspect’s vehicle. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The vehicle that struck him was described as a dark colored four door sedan, occupied with two persons. Continue reading Three Arrested for a Tyler Robbery

CHAPEL HILL – The Highway 80 Rescue Mission has purchased land in Smith County to expand the services to the formerly homeless as they progress into independent living. The Mission will construct a supportive housing and rehabilitation facility called Triumph Village on Highway 64, east of Tyler. Construction of the new facility will be completed in phases. The cost of the first phase is estimated to be $750,000. This includes renovating existing homes, improving curb appeal, and building brand new cottage units. The design plan allows Highway 80 to create a place that functions like a smaller neighborhood within the larger neighborhood. They closed on the property February 1st.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of February 27th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Local Jacksonville traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes when possible as mill and inlay work is conducted on US 69 from US 175 to Loop 456. The work, which started last Friday, is expected to take about 10 days to complete and will be conducted Monday through Saturday, including tomorrow. Expect lane closures and delays with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT Roadwork Update