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TYLER – A 33-year-old Dallas man has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison for burglarizing a Jacksonville bank. Calvin Lee Browning pleaded guilty on Aug. 23, 2016, to bank burglary and was sentenced by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes. Browning was also ordered to pay restitution of $58,376.75. Authorities say on Feb. 9, 2016, Browning and three others broke into the Jacksonville branch of Austin Bank early in the morning before the bank had opened for business. Three of the individuals were dropped off at the bank while the other waited nearby with a getaway car. Continue reading Dallas Man Sentenced for Jacksonville Bank Burglary

TYLER – A Tyler ISD student is behind bars after being accused of hitting another student with a brick while on campus. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records show 17-year-old Hector Arredono was arrested on Monday by Tyler ISD police for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident reportedly occurred on the John Tyler campus. Dawn Parnell, Communications Director for Tyler ISD, says Arredono brought the brick from home. Parnell says the victim was treated by a nurse at the school. Arredono is being held in the Smith County Jail on $100,000 bond.

TYLER — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to damages and losses caused by drought occurring November 22, 2016 and continuing in Upshur, Gregg, Rusk, and Smith Counties. Smith County Farm Loan Manager Joseph Grier asks farmers who want to apply for emergency loans to submit their applications as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2017, but Grier says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Continue reading Applications Accepted for Drought Losses

WHITE OAK — The city of White Oak will soon be holding an election on the sale of beer and wine. KETK reports the organization Texas Petition Strategies had been petitioning for such sales. All that was needed: 426 signatures. According to the Gregg County elections administrator, the petition was signed by more than 550 people. Now the city council is required to call an election when members meet next month. Continue reading Alcohol Vote Coming Up This Spring in White Oak

TYLER — 35-year-old Mikael Johnson of Trinidad in Henderson County has been sentenced to 11 years, 8 months in federal prison after pleading guilty last October to distributing child pornography. According to information presented in Tyler federal court, on Dec. 14, 2015, Johnson knowingly sent another person child pornography by using the Internet, digital services that he owned, and a social media application. Following an investigation, federal agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on Jan. 7, 2016. More than 600 images and videos containing child pornography were located and seized during the search. Johnson was arrested on that day, and a federal grand jury returned an indictment on Jan. 20, 2016.

TYLER — Longtime Tyler businessman and community volunteer D.M. Edwards has been named the new chair of The University of Texas at Tyler Development Board for a two-year term. As chair, Edwards will lead an extensive group of volunteers who support the university’s programs and special events, according to a UTT news release. UTT President Michael Tidwell terms Edwards “an extraordinary supporter of UT Tyler, and of higher education in this region, for many years.” Continue reading UT Tyler Announces New Development Board Chair

TYLER — Thursday is Hearts and Heroes Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Tyler’s Harvey Convention Center. You can come out to see some of the region’s top public service personnel with training, equipment, education, and information. The event brings area first responders and public safety staff together for a day of training and networking. Along with the conference offerings, which may be purchased for $20 per attendee, there are training opportunities available to the general public free of charge. Continue reading Hearts and Heroes Day in Tyler

TYLER – A Tyler Junior College student from Fort Worth was arrested on the TJC campus Monday for capital murder. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records confirm Keoddrick Polk, 19, was arrested on a warrant from the Fort Worth Police Department around 4:00 p.m. TJC police say they assisted the U.S. Marshal’s Service in carrying out the warrant. TJC says Polk was arrested without incident and taken into custody before being booked into the Smith County Jail. According to the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers Facebook page, Polk was placed on the 2016 Fort Worth Police Department’s Most Wanted List in September. Polk was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of capital murder for remuneration, also known as murder for pay. His bond was set at $150,000.

TYLER — Starting today, a contractor with the City of Tyler is doing repairs on the intersection of Locust Street and Broadway. These repairs are expected to continue for two weeks, according to a city news release. During this time, all eastbound traffic on Locust Street will be required to turn right and detoured down to Erwin Street. All traffic and pedestrian signal functions will be turned off during repairs. Travelers who need to turn west onto Locust Street from Broadway must utilize Ferguson Street. All pedestrian traffic will need to use either Line Street or Ferguson Street. Officials say the City of Tyler will be providing all necessary traffic control during this time. For more information, contact the City of Tyler Traffic Department at (903) 531-1201.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Texas Game Warden is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information pertaining to a deer that was illegally shot in Henderson County. According to KETK, officials say the animal was shot January 1 or 2, without the landowner’s permission, off a high-fenced piece of property on County Road 4325. Any information on this crime can be reported to Operation Game Thief. If you have information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party, you’re asked to contact 1-800-792-GAME.

DALLAS — Johnny Manziel deleted his Twitter account after he tweeted advice to President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Johnny Football says he got rid of his account because he’s trying to eliminate distractions. Multiple sources say it’s after Manziel tweeted a suggestion that Trump should minimize his social media focus. Trump has been a fan of Manziel; he once tweeted after the 2014 draft that teams were making a mistake by not selecting the Tyler native because “he’s going to be really good and exciting to watch.” Later, the Cleveland Browns terminated Manziel’s contract after allegations of domestic violence from a former girlfriend.

MARSHALL — Marshall police say three juveniles are in custody following a crime spree and police pursuit. On January 21 and January 22, police got several calls reporting burglaries and stolen vehicles. The first call came in on the 21st at approximately 6:46 p.m. During the night, Officers responded to burglaries on Nathan St. and East End Blvd. N. Officers also responded to reports of stolen vehicles on Victory Dr. and Circle Dr. Officers recovered both stolen vehicles that night. Officers also located stolen property from both burglaries inside the vehicles. Continue reading Three Juveniles Arrested after Crime Spree and Chase

KILGORE — A Kilgore man who pleaded guilty in 2014 to sexually assaulting a child is back in jail after violating his probation. Samuel Lane McKnight, 46, failed to complete sex offender treatment. According to KETK, other allegations include failing to stop associating with “disreputable” people, not paying his fines and using illegal drugs. McKnight pleaded guilty of sexual assault of a child and was sentenced to 10 years’ probation with 480 hours of community service, with the possibility of deferred adjudication. Two charges of indecency with a child were dismissed when he pleaded guilty but are listed alongside the sexual assault charge as part of his arrest for violating probation. McKnight was “unsuccessfully discharged” from a sex offender treatment program on Jan. 5.

GREGG COUNTY — The arrests of at least four people in connection to a pair of gas station robberies shed light on a previously undisclosed street gang operating in the city. According to KETK, the four suspects, along with two others whose legal status remained unclear Monday, are accused of robbing two gas stations Jan. 16: EZ Mart in the 1500 block of Pine Tree Road and Lone Star Exxon in the 6100 block of Texas 300, outside city limits in Gregg County. Warrants in the case note one of the suspects identified everyone involved in the robberies as belonging to the “Throwed Savage Ni**as” street gang. Continue reading Robberies Shed Light on Longview Gang

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home invasion Monday. According to KETK, four people reportedly kicked down the door of a house on County Road 246 and fired around three to four shots. The victim allegedly owed one of the suspects money. The victim was able to escape the house and run to a neighbors home to call 911. It is unclear how many people fired guns.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teen remained jailed Monday on charges he stole a car, ran it off the road and fled from police. According to KETK and the Longview News Journal, Dalton Andrew Bennet, 18, was charged with theft of property valued between $30,000 and $150,000 and evading arrest detention with a vehicle. A Longview police officer said he observed Bennet traveling erratically down South High Street about 10 p.m. Saturday in a car with four passengers. The officer said the car eventually ran off the eastbound I-20 entrance ramp and across the access road as the driver tried to merge onto the interstate. Bennet jumped out of the car, ran through the Motel 6 parking lot and to the woods behind the Days Inn. Continue reading Teen Arrested after Allegedly Wrecking Stolen Car

TYLER — The City of Tyler has closed Cloverdale Drive at Woodlark Drive to allow stormwater maintenance crews to install a concrete valley. You’re asked to proceed with caution when traveling in this area. The closure will continue until Thursday at 5 p.m.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn is pleased after the U.S. House of Representatives passed Kari’s Law, a bill that amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require multiline telephone systems, common in hotels and offices, to have the ability to directly dial 911 without locating an outside line first: In a statement, Cornyn commented, “Allowing callers to directly dial 911 from multiline phone systems will save valuable time and could help prevent a tragedy.” Continue reading Cornyn Praises House Passage of “Kari’s Law”

MARSHALL — A Waskom man is behind bars after Marshall police say he ran his girlfriend’s vehicle off the road, prior to forcing her into his vehicle. The incident occurred Friday around 11:46 p.m. The victim was able to call 911 and advise dispatch she was being chased by another vehicle. She stated that the other vehicle was attempting to run her off the road. The suspect reportedly rammed into the back of the victim’s vehicle, pushing it across a ditch and into a utility pole at the intersection of Hwy. 59 and Loop 390 in Marshall. After crashing, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jamichael Brown, allegedly pulled the female out of her car by her hair and forced her into his vehicle. Continue reading Highway Incident Puts Waskom Man in Jail

SHERMAN – The United States has filed a complaint intervening in an alleged kickback scheme involving a major East Texas-based healthcare provider and affiliated parties. According to a news release, the intervention is against East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, Inc.; East Texas Medical Center Regional Health Services, Inc. (together, “ETMC”); Paramedics Plus, LLC; Emergency Medical Services Authority (“EMSA”); and EMSA’s President, Herbert Stephen Williamson. The intervention alleges, among other things, violations of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute. Continue reading U.S. Intervenes in Lawsuit Alleging Kickbacks for Ambulance Services

SMITH COUNTY — One lane of I-20 eastbound remained closed Monday evening in eastern Smith County following a major wreck that earlier shut down both eastbound lanes near the 571 mile marker. Troopers were notified of an overturned 18-wheeler eastbound in that vicinity at approximately 11:30 am. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark says the vehicle caught fire. Both eastbound lanes were shut down for a time, with traffic re-directed onto US 271. Dark said further information and updates were pending.

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott Monday announced the appointment of Kevin Eltife of Tyler, as well as Janiece Longoria of Houston and Rad Weaver of San Antonio, to The University of Texas System Board of Regents. The terms, subject to Texas Senate confirmation, are effective February 1 and are set to expire February 1, 2023. Eltife, a longtime Tyler civic leader, recently stepped down as a Texas senator. He’d previously served as a Tyler mayor and city councilmember. In a news release, Eltife said he’s honored by the appointment and will work hard to make sure tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently. He also says he’ll work to make education in the UT System affordable for Texans.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Authorities in Upshur County say a missing woman has been found safe and reunited with her family. They had issued a Silver Alert Monday morning for 89-year-old Jimmie Salter. KETK reports she had last been seen walking on Stable Lane near FM 18-44.

TYLER — Tyler Police learned over the weekend that a bronze statue of a boy carrying books was located in a front yard of a residence off Old Longview Road. According to a news release, the caller told police it looked like the one stolen from Southside Park last May. A detective recovered the statue of a young boy carrying a stack of books. It was a centerpiece in an area maintained by the Literacy Council of Tyler along the Rose Rudman Trail. Investigators say they will be following up to determine who is responsible for the theft. No charges have been filed at this time.

TYLER — The public is again being asked to participate in development of a master plan for Tyler’s Rose Complex area. Several public planning and design charrettes — defined as intense periods of design or planning activity — as well as monthly steering committee meetings have been conducted to narrow development options based on the opinions and suggestions received. Next, a public meeting will be conducted to receive public comment on the three different plans. This meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center in the Rose Room. Members of the public are invited to voice their opinions and gain more knowledge about the project. Continue reading Public Meeting Scheduled for Rose Complex Master Plan

PALESTINE — One person has been arrested following a wreck in Palestine. According to KETK, it happened around 6:00 Sunday evening on South Loop 256 and East Park Avenue. The driver of one of the vehicles reportedly ran into a wooded area with a child. The two were later located and the child was taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspect was arrested at the scene and charged with intoxication assault, abandon/endanger a child, fleeing the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, resisting arrest and unlawful carry of a weapon. A child in the second vehicle involved was also taken to a medical center for treatment. The incident is still under investigation by the Palestine Police Criminal Investigation Division. Names have not been released.

LONGVIEW — Two ZIP codes in Longview are among the highest for fire risk in North Texas — and for the American Red Cross. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, that means working to increase awareness about what causes fires and the importance of smoke alarms. ZIP codes 75602 and 75604 are on a list of the top 10 ZIP codes at risk of fire in the North Texas region, which included Amarillo, Tarrant County, and Waco in the Red Cross study. They were the only Northeast Texas ZIP codes on the list. Continue reading Longview ZIP Codes on Biggest Fire Risk List

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of Jan. 23. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Following a rain delay, construction is set to begin Monday on a new Loop 281 widening project in Longview. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays during the project at Loop 281 and FM 1845/Pine Tree Road. The project will have a major impact on traffic with travel reduced to one lane in all directions. The contractor is Longview Bridge and Road. Additional information is available in the Gregg County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SCOTTSVILLE – A suspected tornado tore through parts of Harrison County Saturday. In Scottsville, just east of Marshall, at least one suspected twister touched down causing severe damage. According to KETK, no major injuries have been reported. Earnest Marshall, who was inside his home during the storm, described what he experienced. “This used to be my house,” said Marshall. “I heard the wind…like a tornado…house shifted, covered my head. It’s tore up.” It wasn’t immediately known how strong the suspected tornado was.