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AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Republican state Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler is among a growing number of lawmakers convinced their work won’t be finished next week. Governor Rick Perry isn’t saying whether he’ll order lawmakers to stay at the Capitol for a special legislative session. The regular 140-day session ends Monday.

LONGVIEW — Throughout the next month, the City of Longview will be in the process of mailing the 2012 Water Quality Report to all customers who receive a water bill from the City. This year, the report will be mailed out along with the water bills instead of as a separate mail-out. Continue reading 2012 Water Quality Report Released

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested after police say he pinned down his girlfriend and punched her multiple times in the face. KETK reports Cameron Milton Malone, 45, was arrested around 2:00 a.m. Thursday on a charge of assault causing bodily injury. Malone is being held on $5,000 bond and also has prior convictions for assault.

LONGVIEW — Pine Tree ISD will spend $14,800 on a local erosion project to offset all but $4,000 of a state environmental fine for essentially a technical violation regarding a fuel storage tank at the Birch Street bus refueling station, the state reported Thursday. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. According to backup materials for an agreed order approved Wednesday in Austin, the district failed to renew a certificate showing the underground tank can accept fuel delivery and failed to provide such a certificate to a vendor. The district also failed to provide required proof that piping to the tank is secure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality decided Wednesday. The district had no immediate comment on the fine. Continue reading Pine Tree ISD to Spend over $14,000 to Address Environmental Citation

LONGVIEW — 25-year-old Nestor Lopez of Longview was jailed on $7,500 bond after police say he choked his girlfriend. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Lopez was arrested Wednesday about 10 p.m. by Longview police in the 900 block of Memphis Street. An emergency protective order was filed against him. Lopez is charged with assault/family violence by impeding breath and circulation.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police want to remind citizens that with the temperatures heating up, the inside temperature of vehicles will be heating up even faster too. The Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force, the National Weather Service, and Longview Police recognized Heat Awareness Day on Friday, May 24, 2013. With the hot days beginning already “cracking” the window of the car has little effect on the temperature inside the car. In approximately ten minutes the interior temperature can rise about 19 degrees. In one to two hours it can rise 45-50 degrees. It is against Texas law to leave a child under the age of seven unattended in a vehicle for longer than five minutes. Continue reading Longview Police Recognize Heat Awareness Day

WASKOM — Two East Texas Baptist University football players were taken into custody earlier this week, accused of firing a rifle in front of a Waskom police officer’s home. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Kailob Wallace of Quinlan and Brooks Holder of Beeville were booked into the Harrison County Jail on Monday night on charges of deadly conduct, discharging a firearm — a third-degree felony. A Waskom police officer who filed the probable cause affidavit alleged the pair fired three shots from a .22 caliber rifle toward his home while driving Sunday night. Continue reading Two ETBU Football Players Jailed after Gunfire near Officers Residence

RUSK COUNTY — A small single engine plane has crashed in Rusk County, near the East Texas Regional Airport in Gregg County. It happened around 6:30 last night. The crash site is a field near County Road 2156D. Investigators say the aircraft had been circling, preparing to land, when it clipped some trees and crashed. The pilot was the only person about the craft and he was not seriously injured. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident.

DIBOLL — A vehicle-pedestrian accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 59, about a mile south of Diboll, shortly before 9:00 Wednesday night. The victim has been identified as Patrick Henry Clark, 64, of Lufkin. The Department of Public Safety reports Clark was walking in the southbound inside lane when hit by a pickup. The driver, Brently Chase Lucas, of Corrigan, was not cited in the accident.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials say a body has been found in a burned-out car, and the investigation is ongoing. Officials say shortly after 6:00 yesterday morning, firemen were called to a burning vehicle on County Road 3101 near the Jackson Heights area. Firemen found a four-door passenger car, and the fire had almost burned out. Smith County Sheriff’s deputies, who also responded to the scene, closely inspected the vehicle and found the remains of a person. It could not be determined whether the person was male or female. Continue reading Body Found in Burned-Out Car

LINDALE — Fifth graders at E.J. Moss Intermediate School of Lindale were scheduled to perform a musical theater program at the school on Thursday night titled, “In God We Trust.” Now, due to a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the school will not host the play with religious undertones. Instead, the school scheduled a modified version for Thursday evening, said to be sensitive to all viewers; the original play will be staged next week at a different location. Continue reading Lindale Play Modified after Complaint; Original Version Planned for Wednesday

LONGVIEW — A man was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Longview. KETK reports it happened just after nine on Eastman Road near the North Loop. Longview police say the driver, 36-year-old Andrew Talley, was headed south when he crossed the median, took out a light pole, went down an embankment, and hit a tree. Firefighters had to cut Talley from the wreckage. By Thursday afternoon, he was listed in fair condition.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – A man who claimed self-defense has been sentenced to life in prison for grabbing a razor and slitting the throat of an East Texas barber during a robbery. Jurors in Nacogdoches earlier convicted Timothy Blanton of Garrison of aggravated robbery. The attack last July at a barber shop in Nacogdoches also left Chester Pleasant with hand and shoulder wounds. Blanton testified his girlfriend had received texts from the barber. Blanton told jurors that Pleasant asked him to leave and he was doing so, then Pleasant grabbed him and the men fought. Prosecutors dispute Blanton’s self-defense testimony and say he intended to steal cash from the barber. Records show Blanton, who was sentenced Tuesday, has previous convictions for robbery, criminal trespass, carrying a weapon, burglary and evading arrest.

TYLER — For the third consecutive year, the City of Tyler has published its Annual Report as an E-Book, with linked video, and as a printed document with QR Codes. The 20-page report outlines the financial status of the City and highlights new programs and achievements from 2012. Continue reading City 2012 E-Annual Report Online

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have identified a Smith County shooting victim as Timothy Matthew Martin, 24. Charged with his death was Alex Wesley Jones, 23, Tyler. Jones is charged with first-degree murder and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond. The shooting occurred shortly after 10:00 Tuesday morning in the 100 block of Patton Lane.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has welcomed two new councilmen: Ed Moore who represents District 3 and John Nix representing District 6. Both took their oath of office Wednesday. Both men ran unopposed for the positions. Moore is replacing Ralph Caraway who served six years on the Tyler Council and could not run again due to term limits. Nix is replacing Jason Wright’s vacated seat. Continue reading Tyler City Councilmen Take Oath of Office

TYLER — The Italian company Tazza Pronto is on its way to Tyler. Mayor Barbara Bass made the announcement Wednesday during her final State of the City Address to Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce members. Tyler Economic Development Council chief Tom Mullins said earlier the company had been looking in Seattle, Kentucky, and Tyler. It will now partner with Distant Lands Coffee on a popular single-serve product, operating in the old Carrier plant. According to Bass, the partnership will bring in some 125 jobs by 2015. Continue reading Bass: Tazza Pronto Coming to Tyler; Tree Initiative Successful

MARSHALL — A former Marshall pastor will be spending time in prison for online solicitation of a minor. A jury sentenced Raymond Earl Cooper to 10 years probation for the first count. The former pastor of First Church of Nazarene in Marshall was sentenced to two years prison time for the second count. The sentences will run concurrently. Cooper was also fined $10,000. Continue reading Ex-Pastor Sentenced for Online Solicitation of Minor

TYLER — A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. Continue reading Federal Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments in Tyler

TYLER — A 26-year-old Longview, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Jason Ray Ragan pleaded guilty on February 6 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced in Tyler yesterday to 50 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to information presented in court, on August 2, 2012, Ragan was found in possession of approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine. A federal indictment was returned on September 12, 2012 charging Ragan and a co-defendant with federal drug crimes. Co-defendant, Jason Clinton Squires, pleaded guilty on April 16, 2013 to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Squires is awaiting sentencing.

TYLER — Two Smith County residents have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Clinton Daniel McCaa, 32, of Whitehouse, pleaded guilty on January 9 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 80 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Tara McDonald, 40, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on January 9, 2013, to maintaining a place for the distribution and use of methamphetamine and was sentenced yesterday to 38 months in federal prison by Judge Davis. Continue reading Smith County Residents Sentenced for Methamphetamine Violations

ATHENS — A Henderson County Jury has handed down four life sentences and one 20-year sentence to Danny Ray Lusk, 37, of Kemp. Jurors earlier convicted Lusk of four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by contact before sentencing Lusk to the maximum time available on each count. KETK reports Lusk was arrested in April of 2011 for the aggravated sexual assaults of two family members under the age of 14. Evidence revealed that Lusk began assaulting the two victims when they were three and four years old. Both victims testified that Lusk assaulted them for years before they finally came forward to other family members.

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank is saddened by the tragedy that has struck Oklahoma and is responding, according to a food bank news release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and those who lost their home in this disaster,” according to food bank officials. The news release continues, “The East Texas Food Bank is working within a coordinated effort of emergency response organizations and the Feeding America network of food banks, including the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, to help meet the needs of those impacted by the tornado.” Continue reading Food Bank’s Response to Oklahoma Tornado

TYLER — The 17th season of The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center will feature world-renowned performances and speakers, Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center executive director, announced. Top draws include the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cirque Dreams Rocks, and distinguished lecturer Charles Krauthammer. Continue reading UT Tyler Cowan Center Announces 2013-14 Season

TYLER – A 55-year-old Longview lawyer has been sentenced to federal prison for mail fraud. Steven Rushing pleaded guilty February 15 He as sentenced in Tyler to 41 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Rushing was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $929,076.29. Continue reading Gregg County Lawyer Sentenced for Mail Fraud

WILLS POINT (AP) – One driver has been killed and three students injured when a car drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a school bus in East Texas. Trooper Jean Dark says the Wills Point Independent School District bus came to rest atop a portion of a Toyota Camry following the collision about 7:30 Wednesday morning in Van Zandt County. She says the bus was traveling south when the northbound Camry crossed into its lane. Both drivers attempted to avoid the accident but ended up colliding in the northbound lane. A third vehicle also was involved in the wreck. Dark says a man driving the Camry died at the scene. The bus driver and three students on the bus were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

LUFKIN (AP/Staff) – An East Texas restaurant worker standing outside the eatery and holding an umbrella during a storm has died after being hit by lightning. Lufkin police say the lightning strike happened Tuesday night. KETK reports the woman’s been identified as Meshell Foxworth, 30. She was struck outside the IHOP restaurant and died at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin. Lt. Ronny LaRue says medical personnel attempted to transport Foxworth to a trauma center but the helicopter could not fly in the bad weather.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Angel Fuentes Salgado, 24. On March 19, Salgado was terminated as an employee from Servpro, located on Farm Road 2493. On March 30, Salgado was captured on surveillance video at that location while breaking into a vehicle and stealing a gas card, according to authorities. Salgado then allegedly tried to use the gas card, which had been deactivated, at a gas station in Bullard. According to officials, he then returned to Servpro and unsuccessfully attempted to break into another company vehicle. The attempt damaged the vehicle. Continue reading Law Officers Seek Public’s Help Finding Suspect

TYLER — A lightning strike is to blame for a house fire in Tyler. According to KETK, the lightning struck a home in the 500 block of Patton Lane just before 8:00 Tuesday night. Firemen were able to catch the blaze quickly and it was extinguished in about 15 minutes. Officials said a closet and air conditioner were damaged. No injuries were reported.

EAST TEXAS — East Texans encountered widespread severe weather beginning early Tuesday evening. No tornadoes were reported. But because of straight line winds, some as high as 70 miles an hour, there have been reports of downed trees and power lines. Among the hardest-hit areas were Upshur County, Rusk County, Gregg County, Jacksonville, the Hallsville and Nesbitt areas of Harrison County, and Pittsburg. In Lufkin, a woman was killed when struck by lightning. In the Mixon area, in northern Cherokee County, a lightning strike started an oil tank fire. A roof was peeled back on a barn in the Troup area. There were also reports of hail and numerous power outages in East Texas. A tornado watch was posted late Tuesday afternoon and expired at 10:00 Tuesday night.