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TYLER — A couple Smith County wanted on sex charges are in custody. Sheriff Larry Smith says Johnny and Angela Crocker have been arrested near Shreveport, Louisiana. According to Sheriff Smith, they been in contact with the local U. S. Marshal’s Task Force and they in turn were in contact with the Louisiana based U. S. Marshal’s Task Force. Johnny Floyd Crocker, 57, a former law officer, and his wife Angela, 41, had been on the run as they faced charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and tampering with physical evidence. The pair had been considered to be armed and dangerous. We could know Friday if the couple will waive extradition back to Texas.

NASHVILLE – A couple of East Texan’s names surfaced in the announcement for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Lindale’s Miranda Lambert has six nominations. If she wins again for female vocalist of the year, it will extend her record in that category to eight straight years. She is also nominated for album of the year, single of the year, and song and video of the year. Continue reading Two East Texans Up for CMA Awards

LONGVIEW – East Texans got a chance on Thursday to see the Texas Supreme court in action. It started with the court hearing two cases at Longview’s LeTourneau University. The first case was an inheritance rights case out of Amarillo. The second case was about medical malpractice and government immunity out of Houston. The oral arguments were held in the Belcher Center. Following the oral arguments there was time for a question and answer session with the justices. In the afternoon the justices held breakout sessions on campus for students and at the Gregg County Courthouse for attorneys and other legal professionals. The Texas Supreme Court’s visit was designed to educate students and the public about Texas government and how the highest court in the state, for civil appeals, operates. Continue reading The Texas Supreme Court Session in Longview

COFFEE CITY – Coffee City police say they are looking for a suspected burglar. He is Anando “Lanny” Robert, 40. He has been named in a warrant for burglary of a building. He is said to bounce between the Athens, Trinidad, Frankston, and Palestine areas. If you know where he can be located, you are asked to contact the Coffee City Police Department or your local law enforcement agency.

CARTHAGE – A Kilgore woman, who finally came to trial for a murder over a dozen years ago, has been found guilty and sentenced to prison. A jury in Carthage this week found Deborah Smiley McFadden, 55, guilty of the 2003 shooting death of her boyfriend. Visiting Judge Diane DeVasto of Tyler sentenced McFadden to 40 years in prison. She was living in Beckville with Edward Eugene George Junior at the time George was shot and killed. She was living with George while she was getting a divorce from Terry Smiley, who police say she had wounded seven months earlier.

AUSTIN – State representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler has filed legislation he says will bring pro-life changes to the Texas abortion law. He says the bill prohibits discriminatory abortions at all stages of pregnancy, based on the preborn child’s race, ethnicity, sex or probability of disability. He said the measure would close the loophole for late abortions for preborn children diagnosed with disabilities that are life-threatening. The Disabled Preborn Justice Act would also require giving information to mothers about comfort care services, perinatal hospice, if their baby has been diagnosed with severe fetal abnormalities. According to Schaefer, “What is considered homicide for a baby that is even one minute old, should also be illegal when that person is still in the womb.” Continue reading Disabled Preborn Justice Act Filed by Tyler Legislator

LONGVIEW – Longview police have identified the victim of the city’s 4th homicide of the year. Officers on a welfare check just before 7:30 Wednesday night found Ricky Nelson Miles Jr., 33, of Longview. He was lying in a vacant lot near the intersection of South 12th Street and Travis Avenue. Miles was transported to Christus Good Shepherd Medical where he died from a gunshot wound. Police spokesperson Kristie Brian says the investigation is continuing.

TYLER – A group of Tyler business leaders said there is a skills gap in Texas. The gap is between job seekers and job qualifications. At a Thursday news conference, the gap was discussed by Tyler Economic Development Council CEO Tom Mullins, former Tyler Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bob Westbrook and Genesis Group CEO Phil Burks. They said 11% of all high school students fail to graduate on time. They feel a way to fix that is with early childhood education. They’re calling on the Legislature to increase funding, or at least to refrain from cutting funds, for early childhood education in public schools.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says a shooting took place Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of County road 1250 and Indian Creek Road. According to KETK, Sheriff Larry Smith reports a Hispanic man got out of a black passenger car and shot a 61-year-old man.while he was on the side of the road. The victim has been taken to a local hospital. The shooter was described as wearing a black shirt and black pants. Anyone with information on this case should contact the sheriff’s office.

TYLER – UT Tyler officials have confirmed the identity of a man found dead on campus Wednesday night as psychology professor Dr. Ronald Livingston. According to KETK, Tyler police said the body was found inside a vehicle. The chief of the UT Tyler Police Department says preliminary reports indicate Livingston died from natural causes. The university did not immediately release a statement on his death.

TYLER — A school crossing guard is hospitalized after he’s hit by a car Thursday morning. The accident happened around 7:15 at the intersection of Roanoke Lane and ESE Loop 323, near Clarkston Elementary School. The driver, identified as Trupti Madane, 26, Tyler, told officers that she didn’t see him in the roadway as she turned onto the Loop from Fairfax Street. Clayton Meshell, 73, Tyler, was transported to ETMC by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Madane was issued a citation for failure to obey a crossing guard.

TYLER – We are getting a report of a body found on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler. Initial reports are the body was found in a vehicle. The chief of UT Tyler Police Department tells KETK that preliminary reports indicate that the person died from natural causes. We will have more information when it becomes available.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are investigating their 4th homicide of the year. Officers on a welfare check just before 7:30 Wednesday night found a man lying in a vacant lot near the intersection of South 12th Street and Travis Avenue. He was transported to Christus Good Shepherd Medical where he died from a gunshot wound. Longview Police are investigating the shooting as a homicide and ask that anyone with information contact Detective Rebecca Reeves at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867

MARSHALL – An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been sentenced to prison in Marshall for the death of his girlfriends little girl in 2015. In a plea agreement, Jose Luis Casiano-Aburto, 31, pleaded guilty to the death of 2-year-old Yeli Madalyn Jimenez. State District Judge Brad Morin, who accepted the plea agreement Wednesday, sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Casiano-Aburto was arrested in the case in Mexico in December 2013. He was then extradited back to Harrison County.

LONGVIEW – A Longview burglary suspect has been arrested fleeing the scene of the crime. Just before 2:00 Wednesday morning, officers responded to a reported commercial burglary on East Highland Avenue. They were told an employee had chased the suspect from the building. When officers found the suspect nearby, he started to run. After a short chase they arrested Lauro Palencia Sanchez, 21, of Longview. He was arrested for burglary of a building, evading arrest, giving false identification and a class C misdemeanor warrant. He’s in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $12,500.

TYLER – Only one suspect remains at large in connection with a social media robbery in Tyler. They are accused of robbing a person they contacted by way of the social media to buy a car. When the victim arrived, they pulled firearms and robbed him. 21 year old Keelan Rashod Smith has been arrested by the US Marshal’s Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force following a Crimestoppers tip. Previously arrested were 21 year old Harley Dee Linton and 22 year old Kendrick Shaun Warfield. Authorities are still looking for Terryaun Lamar Rodgers, 22. Continue reading Tyler Robbery Suspect Busted

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says a former law enforcement officer and his wife are on the run as they face charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and tampering with physical evidence. 41-year-old Angela Elaine Crocker is believed to be traveling with Johnny Crocker, who Smith says should be considered armed and dangerous. According to Smith, statements have been made by the Crockers that they “will not be taken alive.” He says Angela Crocker is known to drive a gold 2010 Subaru Outback. She’s described as 5’8″ in height, 180 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 with any information.

TYLER — New life is on the way for the old New York Store in downtown Tyler, a favorite of shoppers in years gone by. Hearts designed by local residents covered the building this week — a so-called “heart bomb” aimed at showing love for the space. And starting this summer, the building will be transformed into eight apartment lofts. During a Valentine’s Day announcement, new owner John O’Sullivan told KETK he plans to maintain some of the building’s history during the renovation process. “We’ll go in with an engineered structure but at the same time save every beam — and we’ll probably convert some of these huge beams into brand new late 1800s flooring.” O’Sullivan has renovated other downtown properties including Rick’s on the Square. The apartments are expected to be move-in-ready by summer of 2018.

LONGVIEW – As part of Thursday’s Law As a Career Day at Longview’s LeTourneau University, members of the Texas Supreme Court will be on campus. The court will hear oral arguments in a case concerning inheritance law and medical malpractice. This will give you a chance to see first hand how the highest court in the state for civil appeals operates. The oral arguments will be followed by a public question-and-answer time. Doors open at 8:00am, a full hour before oral arguments begin. Those planning to attend are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes early to pass security screening. Activities will continue at 11:00 with a Legal Career Fair. These activities will be held in the Belcher Center on the LeTourneau campus.

TYLER — An East Texas man is behind bars after being arrested for sexual assault of a child. According to KETK, Michael Moore, 48, Murchison, was arrested in Smith County by the United States Marshal Service around 6:15 Tuesday night. The arrest warrant for Moore was issued out of Kaufman. Moore was booked into the Smith County Jail on $250,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a toddler. The youngster died just outside of Longview at a mobile home park on Whitehurst Drive. Sheriff’s department Lt. Floyd Duncan told the Longview News Journal that the initial report was that two 18-month-old twins were sleeping together when one child rolled on top of the other, smothering him. The youngster’s body has been sent to a Tyler lab for autopsy.

LAKEPORT – A Hallsville woman, Sarah Coomes Armstrong, 41, has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Rusk County. The accident happened shortly before 4:30 Tuesday morning south of Lakeport on County Road 2121. The Department of Public Safety reports the victim’s SUV was heading southeast when she left the road on a curve. The vehicle hit an embankment and then rolled. The driver was partially ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER – Tyler police are asking your help in locating two robbery suspects. Officers are looking for Terryaun Lamar Rodgers, 22, and Keelan Rashod Smith, 21. The men are said to have posted on social media a vehicle for sale. The victim made contact with the suspects and agreed to meet them at 3:00am in Tyler to complete the sale. When the victim arrived, the suspects pulled firearms and took the victim’s money. Continue reading Tyler Robbery Suspects Sought

TYLER – Tyler Junior College Director of Bands Jeremy Strickland has been elected to membership in Phi Beta Mu, an international school bandmaster fraternity. It is an honorary fraternity with about 350 active members in Texas, with additional chapters in most of the 50 states as well as Canada, Japan and Europe. To be considered for membership in Phi Beta Mu, prospective members must have at least 10 years of successful teaching experience and must have produced and maintained an outstanding and consistent band program in the public schools. Strickland was named TJC director of bands in 2015. The TJC band program consists of: Apache Band (marching band), three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, jazz combo, two percussion ensembles and indoor drumline. Before joining TJC, Strickland was assistant director of bands at Texas Christian University and had served as both assistant and head band director at Springtown High School.

LONGVIEW – Longview police say a woman found dead over the weekend was murdered. Investigators say, now that autopsy results are in, the death of Ivory Wilson, 57, Longview, is a homicide. Late Sunday afternoon, officers were sent to a welfare check on Avalon Avenue. They were told that no one had been able to get in touch with the resident of the apartment for several days. Wilson’s body was found inside.

MINEOLA – The Mineola School Board has approved a $41 million school bond referendum, which will go to voters on May 6th. The bond package provides for a new High School including a Performing Arts Center and Career and Technical Education classrooms. The action follows a multi-year long range facility plan developed by local parents, staff, business and community members over the course of the past year. It started with the Strategic Planning Committee in January 2016. Continue reading A School Bond Issue for Mineola

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A plant in Fort Smith that makes residential heating and cooling equipment is set to shut down this year, leaving 250 employees out of work. Trane announced Monday that it is shifting production of its residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning manufacturing from Fort Smith to plants in Lynn Haven, Florida; Columbia, South Carolina; Vidalia, Georgia; and Tyler, Texas. The company will still operate its plant in Fort Smith that makes HVAC equipment for commercial use. Trane is owned by Ingersoll Rand. A company spokeswoman says the transfer of work from the residential plant will occur in phases and is expected to be complete by this summer.

TYLER — Tyler Police arrested a Gilmer man following an aggravated robbery at the Texaco, 2700 East Fifth Street. Around 8:35 Monday night, officers received a report of an armed robbery by a white male wearing blue latex gloves and a hospital mask. The suspect, later identified as Jason Adams, left the scene in a white Toyota Tundra. Witnesses followed the vehicle until officers were able to initiate a traffic stop at the Valero station, 1301 W SW Loop 323. During a search of the vehicle, officers found gloves, a mask and what was determined to be two toy handguns. Adams was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated robbery.

TYLER – Tyler school trustees have approved putting a bond package before voters on May 6th. School trustees unanimously approved the measure at a Monday night meeting. The $198 million bond proposal would fund renovations for John Tyler and Robert E Lee High Schools. Even though John Tyler was 95% rebuilt in 1981, by today’s standards, it is still outdated. Under the proposal, students will no longer have to walk out in the open from building to building between classes. At Lee, the campus will be nearly totally rebuilt and the campus pushed southward. The only buildings to remain will be the auditorium, varsity gym and the field house. The bond proposal would raise the tax rate for a home valued at $155,000 by $39.00 a year.

TYLER – A former pharmaceutical benefits manager has pleaded guilty in federal court in Tyler to engaging in illegal kickbacks in East Texas. Douglas M. Pick, 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty Monday to making unlawful kickback payments before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love. At sentencing, Pick faces up to three years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. Continue reading Illegal Pharmaceutical Scheme Has Tyler Connection