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HOUSTON – A Longview man was given four life sentences after being convicted of killing a mother and her three children while driving a vehicle drunk in Houston, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Canada, 37, was sentenced Dec. 12 after he was convicted of four counts of intoxication manslaughter in a three-week trial. The life sentences will run concurrently. Canada was visiting Houston and was driving around 100 mph on FM 2920 when he crashed into the car driven by 28-year-old Porsha Branch in March 2021. Authorities said his blood alcohol level was 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit, and his blood test also showed marijuana and Xanax. Branch’s sedan burst into flames in a seven-car pileup, instantly killing Branch and three of her sons, ages seven years, two years, and five months. Canada survived the crash with minor injuries.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College marks 30 years of offering an associate degree in health information technology (HIT). According to a news release, the degree program ensures that the region’s healthcare institutions are equipped with carefully trained staff. “It’s a very responsible, detail-oriented position,” said Charlotte Creason, the founding professor of the TJC program that began in 1992, as quoted in the release. Creason retired in 2011 to re-enter the profession. “I always told students that if they wanted a career in healthcare, but maybe direct patient contact wasn’t for them, this was a great opportunity,” she said. HIT professionals ensure the accuracy, accessibility, quality and security of patient health records, and they are vital to the daily operations management of health information and electronic medical records, according to the release. Continue reading TJC HIT program celebrates 30 years

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has recently announced its partnership in UT System’s Grow with Google initiative that will make Google Career Certifications available to students across eight UT System academic institutions. UT System’s announcement earlier this month marks Google’s largest university partnership to date, according to a news release. Through this initiative and with the support of the Coursera platform, UT System institutions, including UT Tyler, will embed the certificates into undergraduate degree programs and co-curricular experiences at no additional cost to students. Continue reading UT Tyler announces partnership in UT System’s Grow with Google initiative

SMITH COUNTY — There were no major injuries after two crashes on I-20 east of Lindale on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the first crash involved seven vehicles. A vehicle tried to take the ramp onto I-20, then an 18-wheeler behind it tried to avoid hitting the car and swerved, DPS said. The 18-wheeler overturned as a result. Six other cars crashed into each other to avoid the 18-wheeler, officials said. There was a separate crash on I-20 involving four other vehicles, according to DPS. This included two truck-tractors, a truck pulling a trailer, and another vehicle.

LONGVIEW — Longview police continue to investigate two weekend homicides. On December 17 at approximately 9:23 a.m., officers responded to a Texas Street location regarding an assault that had just occurred. They found the body of 52-year-old Juan Hernandez-Rodriguez of Longview and quickly identified and detained a juvenile suspect. The suspect was transported and booked into the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. On December 18 at approximately 11:48 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at the Churchill of Longview Apartments on East Whaley. Officers located a man with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 19-year-old Codie Polk of Longview. There was no immediate word on a suspect. Click here for more information.

TYLER — Tyler police say a suspect has turned himself in following an early Monday morning shooting as they continue to investigate the incident. Officers were called to Sherwood Street around 12:45 following a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, authorities say they found a juvenile male who had been shot multiple times. He was transported to a local hospital where he is stable but in critical condition. An arrest warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was issued for 18-year-old Jakobe Deandre Lacy of Tyler, with a bond of $500,000. Police say Lacy has been jailed after surrendering without incident.

TYLER – With only a few days left before Christmas, The Salvation Army in Tyler finds itself falling behind its red kettle goal for 2022. The annual Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser of the year. This year’s goal is $385,000, and as of Monday, only 60 per cent of that goal had been reached. The Salvation Army encourages you to give, with bell ringers staying out through Christmas Eve. And don’t forget the virtual kettle option. Along with donors, volunteer bell ringers are also sought. Click here or here for more information.

LONGVIEW — Beginning in early 2023, TxDOT and contractor crews will begin construction of a new bridge on High Street in Longview. The construction will require a change in traffic in the area. Traffic will travel in both directions on only one side of the bridge while demolition and construction are underway on the opposite side. Traffic flow will then switch to the other side so the project can be completed. The project is scheduled to last approximately two years. Signs warning motorists of the construction project will be put into place before the construction begins. The work will be done just south of Nelson Street, with the bridge crossing over the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of December 19. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will perform mobile operations to patch potholes on various roadways throughout the county. Also, crews will be working on erosion control throughout the county. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 16 west, before the SH 155 intersection. When complete, the crew will move to FM 206 near the intersection of SP 364, to perform base repair. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic in all of the aforementioned cases. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a five-vehicle crash Friday on Longview’s East Hawkins Parkway also involved a school bus. Authorities said three persons went to the hospital for treatment, but none of the students sustained injuries. Officials with Longview ISD were especially thankful for the the bus monitor, whose actions at the scene of the accident were praised by first responders.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police department says a Kilgore off-duty police officer was no-billed after a fatal shooting at a Longview emergency room. According to our news partner KETK, authorities said a 61-year-old man died Nov. 27 after he allegedly pulled a gun on Sgt. Joshua Vercher and threatened him Vercher had a security job at Hospitality ER, and the altercation broke out in the parking lot around 9 p.m. “As the struggle intensified the officer pulled his weapon and fired in an attempt to stop the aggression, striking the suspect,” officials said in a prepared statement. “Immediately following the shooting the officer summoned ER staff who attempted life-saving measures.” Continue reading Kilgore off-duty officer no-billed after fatal shooting at Longview ER

LONGVIEW – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System President and CEO Todd Hancock has been named Longview’s 2022 Distinguished Citizen by the East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts. The honor was presented in a ceremony at Pinecrest Country Club. According to a news release, it came in recognition of Hancock’s leadership, community service, and charitable conviction. The Scouts praised what they termed Hancock’s leadership and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scouts also pointed to Hancock’s support of their organization and others, such as Greater Longview United Way, Longview 20/20, and the Chamber of Commerce. Hancock said CHRISTUS and the Scouts share many of the same values.

TYLER – A Jacksonville man was sentenced to three years in prison for the lesser charge of aggravated assault after being arrested for murder in connection to the 2021 shooting at a Tyler daiquiri shop. According to our news partner KETK, Dycorrian Lofton, 24, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Dec. 9. He turned himself in to Tyler police in July 2021 after a warrant for his arrest was issued. The shooting left one woman dead and two others injured. Police in 2021 said a fight in the parking lot started the shooting and that more than 50 shots were fired in total. Jaderick Willis, 23, of Jacksonville, was injured in the shooting and originally listed as a victim by police. He has since been charged with murder and was booked into Smith County Jail on July 2, 2021. Continue reading Jacksonville man gets three years in Tyler daiquiri shop shooting

TYLER — After more than four decades of service to the people of Smith County, Judge Jack Skeen Jr. is retiring. According to our news partner KETK, for his retirement party on Thursday, Skeen was surrounded by the people he’s been around since 1971. That’s when he first started to work for the county as an assistant district attorney. In 1982, Skeen was elected to be the Smith County District Attorney. During his time on the bench the judge became an ally to local law enforcement, who he worked with side by side for many years, including his friend Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Skeen also served as Tyler’s first full-time city attorney and as a judge for municipal court. Continue reading Judge Skeen retires after 40 years of service

SMITH COUNTY — One man was shot and injured in Smith County on Thursday, said the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened on CR 1145. The victim was taken in a private vehicle to a Dairy Queen on Highway 31 West and FM 2661 and then transported in an ambulance to a local hospital. Officials said the man’s injuries were non-life threatening. Deputies were on their way to the hospital around 6 p.m. to investigate the incident. The sheriff’s office said they are trying to identify who shot the man.

LONGVIEW — Community organizers and the City of Longview will host a variety of events from Friday, Jan. 13, to Monday, Jan. 16, to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Celebrations will kick off with an opening reception and jazz concert featuring Mack Guice and Low D starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Longview Community Center. A parade will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, followed by a community festival. Saturday will also include a Humanitarian Award Celebration. On Monday, Jan. 16, residents are invited to participate at 11 a.m. in a march from Broughton Park to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where officials say a Memorial Service will be held at noon honoring Dr. King’s legacy of social justice. Click here for all the details.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD is awarding more than $5.1 million in incentive pay for achieving teachers, with a few of the very highest-performing teachers projected to receive more than $30,000 extra in their December paychecks, according to a school district news release. “We’re thrilled with the excellent progress all our teachers and staff are making with students across the entire district,” said district Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox, as quoted in the release. Wilcox said the goal of the district in starting the program was to maintain the most successful and effective teachers in the regular classroom. Incentive bonus distribution will come in “lump sum” disbursement beginning Friday, Dec. 16. Click here for more details.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to execute three contracts for sanitary sewer system rehabilitation projects. A contract was approved for the rehabilitation and repair of 242 sanitary sewer manholes and 171 sanitary sewer cleanouts. Additionally, the Council approved a contract to repair four creek crossings and seven sanitary sewer line point repairs with new sewer lines, manholes, and appurtenances. Finally, the City Council approved a contract for the design of two sewer line projects to increase capacity in 5.3 miles of sewer line in the collection system. It’s all being done under a 2017 consent decree with the EPA to address what’s termed the city’s aging wastewater collection system and resulting discharges. Click here for more information.

TYLER — The City of Tyler said they are working to fully open a busy intersection after a sinkhole opened up nearly two weeks ago. According to our news partner KETK, the sinkhole that appeared on Rice Road has been patched, but it’s a temporary fix to allow for the heavy holiday shopping traffic. The city is also working on a short-term solution to open up Old Bullard Road, which remains closed. The initial sinkhole was caused by a hole in the storm drain and revealed several problems with old pipes, sewers and manholes in the area. “That pipe all along Old Bullard is very old clay sewer pipe….and connect with our pvc pipe has been difficult,” said Kate Dietz, the Director of Utilities for the city of Tyler. Continue reading City of Tyler working to reopen Old Bullard Road

HARRISON COUNTY — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is reporting storm damage in the southeastern portion of the county after a tornado touched down in the area late Tuesday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. “It sounded like a freight train, you know, like a convoy, a bunch of trucks,” Nickie Fitzgerald said of the tornado that damaged her home. “I was warning my other family and I got in the house and it came through the woods, it was snapping trees, and then I got in the house and it all hit.” No one was injured, but Fitzgerald said it “looks like a war zone out here.” Continue reading Widespread damage reported in Elysian Fields after tornado touchdown

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is set to purchase a three-dimensional laser scanning system to document, reconstruct, and analyze crime scenes and vehicle crash sites. The City Council agreed on Wednesday to accept a $54,583.49 donation from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to be used toward the purchase of a Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner from Collision and Crime Forensic Solutions. According to a news release, investigators currently use hand measurements, a total station device to measure distances and angles and call on the Texas Rangers for assistance. The Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner captures data and documents crime scenes and vehicle crash sites more efficiently and with better accuracy, according to the release. Learn more at this link.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted Wednesday to approve a $429,919 contract with Morton Enterprise to provide asphalt crack sealing for the streets identified for seal coating and resurfacing in 2023. Asphalt repairs are prioritized according to the pavement condition index scores and staff evaluations of the city’s streets, according to a news release. The 2023 asphalt enhancement project includes 80 lane miles of city streets. The crack seal project is scheduled to begin in January and continue through May 2023. Crack seal work is done prior to overlaying or resurfacing a street. Click here for more details.

CARTHAGE – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that skeletal remains found by a work crew in July have been identified as a woman who haD been missing since 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Cutter Clinton said the remains were identified as Lauren Elizabeth Thompson, who went missing from the Rock Hill community on Jan. 10, 2019. She was 32 years old at the time. “Our family would like to reiterate out deepest gratitude for the love, intercessory prayer and support demonstrated by many in bringing Lauren home,” Gregory Colvin, Thompson’s father. said. The cause of Thompson’s death is still being investigated. “Our office will be diligent on pursuing all relevant investigative leads,” Clinton said. “Please keep the family of Lauren in your prayers.” Continue reading Remains found in Panola County identified as missing woman from 2019

KILGORE — Seven counties in the East Texas Council of Governments service area have fully completed Broadband Action Plans, according to an ETCOG news release. Officials say ETCOG has been working county by county with local decision-makers since January 2021 to help identify the region’s most critical Broadband needs. Four additional counties are awaiting final edits and budgeting and are anticipated to be considered by their counties shortly, according to the release. On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission released its pre-production draft of new broadband maps. Continue reading Broadband Study & Action Plans completed for seven East Texas counties

LONGVIEW – Last week, Mayor of Longview, Andy Mack had a health event sending him to the hospital. Tuesday, he sent out an update on Facebook letting everyone know how he was doing. Mack said that earlier in the week he had been having a bad headache and neck pain that he thought was attributed to some shoulder pain. But by Wednesday, Dec. 7 the headache had become “unbearable” and he then reached out to his brother, Dr. Ben Mack, to get his opinion. After going through some tests and an MRI, it was revealed that he had a small brain bleed and diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and is expected to fully recover in short order, according to his statement on Facebook. “The main focus of my treatment has been to manage the pain which I can tell you has completely disappeared. I am expected to be released from the hospital within the next few days and will resume all my normal activities at that time.”

TYLER – A one-car crash shut down traffic Tuesday morning on South Donnybrook Avenue in Tyler after a car hit a power pole. According to Tyler Police and our news partner KETK, all south and northbound lanes of Donnybrook Avenue were closed from East Hudson Street to Troup Highway, and Oncor is onsite to repair the pole on Donnybrook Avenue and East Seagle Street.

TYLER — A one-car crash has shut down traffic Tuesday morning on South Donnybrook Avenue in Tyler after a car hit a power pole. According to Tyler police and our news partner KETK, all south and northbound lanes of Donnybrook Avenue are closed from East Hudson Street to Troup Highway. Oncor is onsite to repair the pole on Donnybrook Avenue and East Seagle Street. Officials said the car was occupied by two teenagers who were both transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER – Tyler ISD confirmed that a bus carrying students was in a crash while heading back to Tyler High School Monday. According to our news partner KETK, officials say the bus was bringing back students from Tyler ISD’s Career and Technology Center at the time of the the crash. The school district said four students were being assessed, with no immediate word on whether any students were injured.

TYLER — South Donnybrook Avenue remained closed at the East Eighth Street intersection as of late Monday afternoon. Officials say a Tyler Water Utilities crew worked throughout the day to repair a water line that was hit by a contractor. TWU did not immediately have an estimated time on when the line would be fixed or the road reopened. The City of Tyler was urging drivers to use caution and obey all traffic signs and detours in the area.