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ALTO — Authorities say they’ve arrested a suspect in an Alto convenience store robbery. Around 12:30 Monday morning the Corner Market at Highway 69 and Highway 21 was robbed by a man displaying a firearm. A citizen in the area observed the suspicious activity and called 9-1-1. A Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy was on scene shortly after receiving the call. The deputy then observed the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in Alto. Authorities say that upon the deputy’s approach, the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) K-9 track and pack dogs were called to the scene to assist in locating the suspect. Personnel with TDCJ and Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies tracked the suspect for approximately 4 hours. The suspect had been identified through further investigation, and the search was called off due lack of information. At approximately 5:45 am a local citizen aware of the search for the suspect observed him walking on a county road outside Alto. Detectives and deputies arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by TDCJ as well Rusk Police Department.

The suspect has been arrested on charges of aggravated robbery, evading arrest or detention, and resisting arrest. The name of the suspect was withheld pending arraignment.

LONGVIEW — A 911 dispatch system failure that caused one emergency call to be dropped and others re-routed occurred when workers bumped a breaker. Longview police officials blamed this past week’s outage on contractors working in the breaker box next to one for the 911 telephone system. The failure happened about 10:00 Wednesday morning.

Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said when the telephone system failed, it went directly into multiple alarm mode, which required that calls be rerouted to non-emergency extensions for up to about seven hours.
“Because of the way the system is configured, the only way this could have occurred was if something physically bumped, switched or unseated the breaker,” Brian said. “And the only people working on the electrical system and near those breakers at the time were the contractors.”

Because of the error, one in-progress 911 call was dropped, Brian said, but it already had been processed and entered into the dispatch system, so dispatch was not affected. She said Systems Specialist Daniel Waites was notified about the issue immediately and activated the center’s backup procedure to forward all calls to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department.

Brian said call routing was lost for between 45 seconds and a minute. While technicians worked to reroute calls to the non-emergency extensions, two dispatchers were sent to Gregg County to assist handling emergency calls, she said. “The enhanced features of 911 were not available while the system was down. Specifically, this includes the automatic number and location information that typically displays during 911 calls. However, it is (dispatchers’) policy to verbally verify all addresses and phone numbers on emergency calls, even when they have the number and location displayed. Therefore, dispatch time was not significantly delayed on any calls processed internally,” Brian said.

While the system was down and calls were being rerouted to Gregg County, the department received seven phone calls, three of which were for emergency medical services. Brian said the communication staff have an effective and capable contingency plan in case there is a system failure, and that it worked exactly as designed.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP/Staff) – A convicted killer said in a tape recorded interview that he kidnapped the wife of a former Oklahoma prison warden and that she did not help him escape. The recording of the now-dead Randolph Dial was played Tuesday in the trial of Bobbi Parker on a charge that she helped Dial escape the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Parker’s husband – Randy Parker – was the prison’s deputy warden. Dial described Parker as a victim that he kidnapped at knifepoint. Prosecutors say Parker fell in love with Dial helped him escape. The defense says Parker was kidnapped and that she stayed with Dial out of fear he would harm her family. The recording was made after the two were found living in the Shelby County, Texas, community of Campti in 2005. Dial died in 2007.

SMITH COUNTY — The burn ban for Smith County was extended for up to 90 days by the Smith County Commissioners Court. It was extended yesterday morning due to extremely dry conditions. The burn ban can be rescinded at any time during the 90 day period if conditions change. Since July 1, there have been 97 fires reported in Smith County.

“Many factors go into the decision-making process regarding the issuance of a burn ban. Record periods of heat have made conditions dangerous for outdoor burning and there is little chance for rain in the near future,” Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said.

Unusually high temperatures, lack of rainfall and low moisture levels have contributed to the need for a ban to be issued.

FLINT — A Smith County family loses its home to a fire. The Bullard fire department and Flint volunteer firefighters say flames were shooting through the roof when they arrived on the scene of the blaze in the 200 block of Cass Circle. Officials say the fire started on the back porch Monday morning, but they are unsure of the exact cause. The fire marshal is investigating and said the house was a total loss. No one was injured in the fire. Donations can be made at Bass Powersports, 750 N Northeast Loop 323, Tyler 903-566-0101. You can go to http://www.bpowersports.com to learn more about the family and their needs.

GALVESTON (AP) – Two guests have been treated for minor injuries after an SUV driven by a vacationing East Texas woman went through a wall and into a Galveston motel. Lt. Joel Caldwell says Brenda Harvey, 63, of Lufkin told police that she accidentally pressed on the gas pedal instead of the brake Monday afternoon. The vehicle went into one room at the Americas Best Value Inn and Suites and broke through the wall of another, apparently briefly trapping a guest. One woman was treated for a bump to the head. Police did not immediately provide details on the second victim. Harvey and her grandson, who was in the vehicle with her, weren’t injured. Police say no alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.

WHITEHOUSE — A suspect has turned himself in to authorities after an argument turns violent. It happened around 10:45 Monday morning at a business at the intersection of Highway 110 and Hagan Road in Whitehouse. Police say the suspect, Shaun Lawler, 32, Whitehouse, attacked the victim, stabbing her multiple times. The 23-year-old woman was hospitalized, following emergency surgery. Lawler eventually turned himself in last night and was booked into the Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $300,000.

TYLER – Tyler police are investigating the report of an assault to a woman jogger in the 2900 block of Jamestown Drive. It happened just before 9:30 Monday night. She told officers during the assault her dog possibly bit the suspect in the face. According to investigators the woman suffered minor injuries to her neck but did not require medical treatment. The victim described the suspect as a white male as about 35 years old, medium build, 5’09”-6’00”tall, short brown hair and wearing a white t-shirt and long khaki pants.

LONGVIEW – Two Longview teens are in trouble after leading police on a chase over the weekend. It began around 4:30 Saturday morning when an officer noticed a car traveling at a high speed near the 2500 Block of Thirteenth Street. The officer stopped the car but the driver sped away when the officer got out of his patrol car. After a short pursuit the driver reached a dead end street. Both the driver and passenger jumped from the vehicle. Officers detained the 14 year old driver. Officers searched the area for the other suspect but were unable to locate him at that time.

The driver was arrested for evading arrest or detention in a Vehicle and he received two traffic citations including driving with no driver’s license and disregarding a stop sign. Several hours later, the mother of the other suspect brought her son, also 14 years old, to the police department. Police learned that he had taken the mother’s car without her permission and was a passenger in the vehicle during the pursuit. He was not arrested but investigators say charges will be filed against him.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s newly refurbished Liberty Hall will get its first test run Saturday as the facility hosts a concert presented by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Donors and supporters will be recognized at this invitation-only “soft opening” of the facility, said Liberty Hall Manager Anne Payne. A grand opening open to the public is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, Payne said.

“Saturday’s celebration is being held to recognize those people who early on in the process donated their financial support to seeing the dream of Liberty Hall become a reality,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “Not only will be have a wonderful concert by pianist Danny Wright and saxophonist Joseph Vincelli, but we will all have the opportunity to thank those who helped turn an empty old movie theater into a spectacular performing arts hall.” More than 200 people are expected at the event, Payne said.

The building in the 100 block of East Erwin began life as a 1930s-era movie theater. For years, it had been empty, and new purposes for the property were mulled. The City of Tyler partnered with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in early 2008 to announce a cooperative project to revive the old theater building and turn it into a performing arts hall. A major fundraising effort followed, and renovation of the 6,824-square-foot facility began.

“The soft opening is only the beginning of what will be a stellar line-up of entertainment,” Payne said, adding that the theater will bring audiences downtown and contribute to the continuing effort to make downtown a center for the arts. “Not only will we have classical music at Liberty Hall, but we have comedians, classic movies, blues concerts and more scheduled for just the first few weeks the doors of the Liberty will be open. The public will have a myriad of entertainment options at Liberty Hall, including performances for children and families to scary movies on Halloween and everything in between.” Main Street Program Manager Beverly Abell added that the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition’s “Show Us Your Shorts” film festival will take place in Liberty Hall Oct. 12-15.

Information on the September grand opening and tickets for other Liberty offerings will soon be posted on the Liberty Hall website, Payne said. Those who want more information in the meantime should send email to [email protected] OR call Payne at (903) 595-7274.

TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman of Tyler has announced he will seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives District 6 seat. Berman, a Republican, was first elected to the seat in 1999. His only announced opponent so far is fellow Republican Matt Schaefer of Tyler.

Meanwhile, Berman has added an item to his list of suggested study topics for House committees during the interim before the 2013 legislative session. In a letter to House Speaker Joe Straus, Berman says he thinks it’s time to take a look at the success of English as a Second Language or bilingual education compared to English immersion. He says he believes such a study would be important in regard to the dropout rate of Hispanic students.

Berman also wants committees to study assertion of state sovereignty as well as clampdowns on illegal aliens and Sharia law. Additionally, Berman would like lawmakers to consider a requirement that missing or dead children be reported to authorities within one hour from discovery. That suggestion was spurred by the Casey Anthony case.

TYLER — Police in Tyler have released surveillance video as they continue to seek leads in a weekend convenience store robbery. On Friday night shortly before 11:30, officers responded to the Exxon Speed Track at 2615 E. Commerce, where the incident had just occurred. The clerk told officers that a black male wearing a stocking over his head entered the store and pointed a handgun at him while demanding money. The suspect then left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a black male, 23 to 28 years of age, 5’ 06” to 5’ 8”, 180 to 220 pounds wearing a black shirt and dark colored pants. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

LONGVIEW — A man remained jailed Monday on $10,000 bond after police said he threatened customers at a Longview convenience store and demanded money. According to arrest reports, Jonathan Hernandez, 20, who has a Longview address, was arrested Sunday morning at Kyle’s Quick Stop in the 1400 block of West Loop 281. The victim told police that a man, later identified as Hernandez, approached them at the store with a silver object believed to be scissors and demanded money. The victim told authorities that she gave Hernandez $100, which authorities say he was found with during a search. Hernandez was charged with robbery. He also had an immigration detainer placed on him.

CANTON — Callers who provided anonymous tips that led to the arrests of six individuals in Van Zandt County in the last two months have been given rewards totaling $2,225 by the Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. The rewards were approved at the monthly Crime Stoppers meeting. Officials say rewards ranged from $700 for a serious drug-related arrest to $75 for a misdemeanor warrant. The $700 reward was for a tip that resulted in the arrest of a man and woman in Myrtle Springs. The couple was charged with possession of a controlled substance as well as child endangerment, related to exposing their four children to their alleged activities.

There were two $500 tip rewards, one for the arrest of a Grand Saline man who had outstanding assault and drug possession warrants, and the other for an Edgewood man wanted by Henderson County for drug possession and sale, who was also allegedly found with a firearm in violation of his parole. The other rewards were given for tips that led to the arrest of a Grand Saline man allegedly on military desertion charges, a Myrtle Springs man on a drug possession warrant, and a Wills Point woman on a traffic charge warrant.

“This surge in tips, arrests, and rewards is good news,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “It shows that people are calling our anonymous tip line and that these calls are leading to arrests that are taking criminals out of circulation. That’s why Crime Stoppers exists, and why we are happy to give out generous rewards to the anonymous tipsters.”

Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers always offers cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to the arrest of a criminal offender, someone who has just committed a crime, or someone who is wanted on a warrant. By calling Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers 903-567-STOP (567-7867), people can anonymously provide information about a crime, whether it is about a recently committed crime or to report the whereabouts of someone wanted on an existing warrant. Each tip is given a special code number. After the crime is solved or the individual is arrested, Crime Stoppers determines the reward amount and provides arrangements for the tipster to anonymous collect a cash reward. Crime Stoppers callers never have to give their names or any identifying information.

Rewards of up to $1,000 are financed by criminal court fines and donations. More information about Crime Stoppers is available online at http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org or by calling the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank will expand its Summer Bag Program thanks to a $20,000 Hunger-Free Summer grant awarded by Feeding America thanks to a donation from the ConAgra Foods Foundation. Officials say the grant will allow the Food Bank to provide bags of nutritious food over the weekend at ten rural Summer Food Service Program sites. The bags of food will be given out on Fridays to those children who participate in the Summer Food Service Program during the week but are at risk of hunger on the weekends.

According to a Food Bank news release, the grant was awarded to support the Food Bank’s efforts in alleviating hunger for East Texas children in the summer months when school is not in session. Officials say the ten sites were chosen due to the high level of need in the communities where they operate – underserved, rural communities where there is a high concentration of child poverty, but a low number of feeding agencies and child hunger programs.

The ten sites are Boys and Girls Club of Rusk County, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Sweet Union Apartment Complex, Oakgrove Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, Marion County Community Center, Addie McFarland Community Center, Hawkins Community Center, Earnest J. Woods Intermediate School, and Grapeland Elementary School.

TYLER – An argument turned into a knife fight that left two persons injured. It was reported to Tyler Police just before 8:00 Sunday night in the 1,000 block of West Trezevant. Both men sustained non life threatening injuries. One was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment while the other was transported to Mother Francis Hospital. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

LUFKIN – A motorcycle/minivan accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. It happened Sunday afternoon on State Highway 103 at Farm Road 1819 West of Lufkin. Killed was the man on the motorcycle, Tony Cooper, 25, of Corrigan. The Department of Public Safety report said the minivan, which had been parked on the side of the road, made a U-turn onto the highway and hit the victim.

TYLER (AP) — Officials of an East Texas zoo have buried the seven-ton carcass of the zoo’s beloved African bull elephant on the zoo grounds after its recent death. The pachyderm, named Chico, died recently at the age of 46. Officials at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo say he was the largest African bull elephant in North America when he died. Zoo executive director Hayes Caldwell tells the Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph that the zoo buries all of its animals on its 200 acres.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER — Beginning as early as Sunday, July 24, Texas Department of Transportation contractor APAC-Dallas is scheduled to begin nighttime pavement repairs and resurfacing on State Highway 110 in Tyler between Golden Road and 5th Street. Crews will be at work each night, Sunday-Thursday between 8:00pm and 5:00am until the work is complete in approximately two months. Meanwhile, the pavement-repair phase of the night work on Loop 323 is complete. Crews are scheduled to begin final resurfacing, also during nighttime hours, as early as this Wednesday.

JACKSONVILLE — Texas Department of Transportation contractor TNT’s Pipleline Corp., of Southlake, is scheduled to begin nighttime sweeping and resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 69 in Jacksonville tonight. Lane closures will be in effect between the hours of 7:00pm and 6:00am each night for about one week while the work is in progress between U.S. Highway 79 and South Loop 456. Motorists are encouraged to follow the instructions of flaggers and restrict left turns to areas where work is not being conducted.

Also this week in Cherokee County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753 in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual seal coat preventative maintenance program is scheduled to begin work in Van Zandt County today. Crews are scheduled to begin on State Highway 198 between State Highway 64 in Canton and the Kaufman County Line, followed by Farm Road 751 between the Hunt County Line and Farm Road 47. A second crew is scheduled to perform additional seal coat operations on Farm Road 1255 between Farm Road 17 and Interstate Highway 20.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

The District-Wide Seal Coat program, which will seal approximately 300 miles of roads as it passes through all eight counties in the Tyler District before the end of August, uses a two-step process of spraying down hot asphalt and covering it with rock to add years of life to existing pavement.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of pavement repairs on State Highway 31 in Henderson county, beginning with about two days of work on State Highway 31 near Trinidad. Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to move into Athens on State Highway 31 Business between the town square and East Loop 7. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 1990 between State Highway 294 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road) between Hawkins Parkway and FM 1844, including work in the SH 300/Hawkins Parkway intersection on Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the work in the Hawkins Parkway intersection.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 839 between U.S. Highway 79 southeast of Henderson and Farm Road 1798 in McKnight. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to start work in Wood County as early as Thursday, July 21, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to apply a seal coat to Farm Road 49 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mineola and Farm Road 14, Farm Road 778 between Farm Road 49 and U.S. Highway 80, and on US 80 between Farm Road 778 and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

TYLER — As the oppressive heat continues, PATH officials say it’s especially important to help the most vulnerable residents keep cool. The Tyler agency is continuing to collect and distribute new box fans for clients in need, while supplies last. Children and the elderly are more prone to heat related illnesses. You are invited to join PATH’s Fan Club. There are several ways you can help.

1. Purchase and bring a box fan to PATH.
2. Make a monetary donation for fans.
3. Buy a fan at Home Depot for $10 and PATH will pick it up.

You can get more details online at http://www.tylerpath.org or by calling 903-597-7284.

TYLER — The 2011 United Way of Smith County campaign is off and running, with a goal of $1.8 million. The local effort dates back to 1940. Campaign organizers say over 53,000 Smith County residents were helped last year by programs under the United Way banner.

“Our 2011 Campaign will continue to remind everyone to ‘LIVE UNITED.’ As a community, we are all connected,” said Nan Moore, United Way President. “We have been reminded over the past months that what affects one of our Smith County neighbors will in some way affect all of us. That is why we ask you to please…Give, Advocate, Volunteer…LIVE UNITED.” A special feature for 2011 is a brand new Hyundai Accent sponsored by Allen Samuels, to be given away December 15 to an individual who pledges a donation of at least $5 a week for one year.

You can visit http://www.unitedwaysmithcounty.org to learn more about the United Way of Smith County. For more information about how you or your business can get involved, call 903-581-6376.

TYLER — The countdown to this year’s Texas Rose Festival is off and running following Friday night’s official kickoff. Rose Festival Queen Morgan Rippy points to the economic boost the community gets from the event, saying large numbers of people visit Tyler each year just to see the festival. Morgan also thanked the attraction’s numerous volunteers. She says a lot of them work behind the scenes, but the festival couldn’t happen without them. Among other things, organizers say attendees can look forward to a bigger and better Rose Parade. The festival is October 13-15. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com/festival/index.htm to learn all about it.

JACKSONVILLE — East Texas is known as the “Piney Woods,” and this intense drought is making things worse for trees. Our news partner KETK spoke with Jerry Seeton from the Texas Forest Service in Jacksonville. He says trees are definitely taking a big hit from the drought, with leaves discoloring and branches falling off everywhere you look. Whenever we do get a little rain, the trees are so brittle that when branches break off, it can be bad for the tree. Seeton says a five-gallon bucket could save some of your smaller trees. He says just poke two holes in the bottom, fill it with water, and let it seep out.

TYLER — The official kickoff of the 2011 Texas Rose Festival was held Friday night at Willow Brook Country Club. “The Grand Illusion,” the theme of the 78th annual festival, is inspired by the works of artist Maxfield Parrish. 2011 Rose Festival Queen Morgan Elizabeth Rippy, Festival Duchess Virginia Winston Anderson, and Festival President Thomas Boyd Ramey III addressed media and others during a brief news conference. Ramey stressed the importance of the numerous volunteers who work with paid staff to put the festival together. He also reminded attendees of “Investing in Our Legacy of Roses.” That’s a campaign announced this past spring, designed to provide proceeds from the Texas Rose Festival Association back to the City of Tyler to enhance the Tyler Rose Garden.

Festival events are scheduled for October 13-15. Advance tickets for the Ladies’ and Men’s Luncheons, Parade, and Coronation will go on sale September 1. According to organizers, “This fall’s annual parade is shaping up to be like none other and will feature more floats, bands, and special guests than in previous years.” You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com/festival/index.htm to get a parade application and more information about the festival.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are continuing to seek leads in a weekend convenience store robbery. On Friday night shortly before 11:30, officers responded to the Exxon Speed Track at 2615 E. Commerce, where the incident had just occurred. The clerk told officers that a black male wearing a stocking over his head entered the store and pointed a handgun at him while demanding money. The suspect then left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a black male, 23 to 28 years of age, 5’ 06” to 5’ 8”, 180 to 220 pounds wearing a black shirt and dark colored pants. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER — One of Tyler’s largest employers is offering more details after announcing big job cuts. They happen every year, but these may be different. Trane is laying off workers, over 500 of them. It’s a pattern they’ve come to expect, but they didn’t expect what came next. “This action eliminates 528 positions,” Patrick O’Connell of parent company Ingersoll Rand said Friday. “The workers were notified on July 8th, and their last day with the company is today, July 15th.”

Trane typically has around 1600 employees, but that number can be a bit flexible. If you are an hourly, union worker at Trane, you’re used to the pattern. You are laid off toward the end of the summer when demand for air conditioning slacks off, and then rehired early the next year as it picks up again. This time it’s different for two reasons: it’s not the end of the summer — and this time the layoff includes salaried workers. O’Connell says it’s normal. “I don’t know the exact time frames, but I would say that this is about when we usually announce them,” he told our news partner KETK.

Tom Mullins of the Tyler Economic Development Council says that no matter what the company says, this is early. “Typically we don’t lose them until 30 or 45 days from now,” Mullins says. “You know, August-September.” And the white collar layoffs are troubling. “Losing the management jobs is a surprise — 40-45 jobs that are not going to return,” Mullins says. O’Connell would not give an exact figure. “We’re not disclosing the number of those salaried positions eliminated,” he told us. “It was not a material number.” Mullins replied, “That’s hard for those individuals and those families. “In this economy, they’re not going to be able to walk down the street and find something else.”

LONGVIEW — Leah Danielle Bryson, 24, of Longview remained jailed Friday on $10,000 bond, charged with felony theft and drug possession. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper arrested Bryson shortly after 12:15 p.m. Thursday.

According to court records, Trooper Brant Smith was traveling west on Marshall Avenue behind a silver Toyota passenger car that was approaching Eastman Road. The trooper checked the license plate and found the vehicle was listed as stolen out of Dallas. Smith initiated a stop, made contact with the driver, Bryson, and took her into custody. Bryson was the vehicle’s only occupant. During a search, Smith located a syringe loaded with methamphetamine on the passenger side of the vehicle, records showed. Bryson admitted to possession of the syringe and the stolen car, records showed.

QUITMAN — Wood County authorities say an arrest has been made following a high-speed chase. According to KETK, deputies responded to a disturbance on CR 3876 in the Hainesville area Friday at approximately 2:00 a.m. While deputies were taking an assault report from the victims, the officers reported that shots had been fired in their direction. The officers say they gave chase after a man in a vehicle that fled the area at a high rate of speed. According to the sheriff’s department, the man fled the vehicle on foot, other officers were called — and at approximately 6:07 a.m., the man was taken into custody without further incident. 31-year-old David Clifton was booked into the Wood County Jail for assault. The sheriff’s office is looking into possible other charges that may be filed.

TYLER — Get the charcoal and brisket ready to grill out this weekend! KETK reports that the Smith County burn ban has been amended. Officials are now allowing wood or charcoal to be used, as long as the flame is contained and the grill is being watched. The ban is still in place for fireworks and other types of burning. You can use this link — http://www.smith-county.com/NewCountyIntranet/NewsEventsImages/Amended%20Burn%20Ban%20Order%20071511.pdf — to read the full amended official burn ban order.

JACKSONVILLE — One person has died in a Jacksonville accident that tied up traffic for a time Friday morning. According to KETK, 28-year-old Stephen Mathew Duecker of Flint reportedly crossed over Highway 79, hitting a tanker truck. Duecker was killed; the tanker driver suffered only minor injures. Authorities say the wreck happened just after 3:45 a.m.