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LONGVIEW — A Longview man is being accused of exposing himself and performing a sex act in front of nurses at Good Shepherd Medical Center. The Longview News Journal reports officers attempted to remove Jerry Lane Askew, 52, from the hospital when he sat down in the lobby and refused to leave. Askew, a registered sex offender in Texas, was charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest, search or transport. He is being held on bonds totaling $1,500. Investigators say Askew was a patient at the hospital on Monday when he is accused of defecating on the floor of an exam room before also urinating on the floor and removing his hospital gown in front of nursing staff and patients.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teen reported missing last week has been located. The public had been asked for help in finding Alexandria “Allie” Eve Hansley, 15. When reported missing, she not been seen by her family in about ten days. They feared the girl may be in danger. She had been recently seen in Longview but it was felt she may have been in the Dallas area. Longview police announced Tuesday the girl had been located. Because of her age, additional information could not be released.

TYLER — Smith County has received the 2015 Platinum Leadership Circle Award from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Smith County was named a Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle Platinum Member for the second year in a row for its “continued progress toward achieving financial transparency.” The program recognizes local governments across the state that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online. Judge Joel Baker said it is the fifth year Smith County has been recognized with the Leadership Circle Award. The county received the top gold award for three years and last year, the bar was raised to platinum level. Continue reading Smith County Receives Leadership Circle Award

TYLER — A senior at The University of Texas at Tyler, Natalie Haynes of Plains, has received a scholarship from The Explorer’s Club to study Maya archaeology in Belize. Haynes was awarded a 2015 TEC Youth Exploration Fund scholarship in the amount of $1,500. The club offers scholarships to high school, collegiate and post-graduate students in support of exploration and field research. With the award, Haynes will travel this summer to Belize where she and other student-scholars will assist excavation teams and collect data through the Mayan Research Program. “I am so grateful for the funding I have received from The Explorer’s Club,” said Haynes, a social sciences major. “Their generosity will help support me on a trip that I have looked forward to and hoped to have the opportunity to go on for a very long time. I thank them for making this possible for me.” Continue reading UT Tyler Senior Gets Prestigious Scholarship

SHREVEPORT — The Caddo (La.) Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for 10 suspects involved in a million-dollar identity theft scheme involving out-of-state cable contractors, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator. KETK reports one of the suspects is Marcus Roshun Johnson, 33, of East Texas. Officials said Johnson’s last known location was in the Tyler area. The suspects are wanted for allegedly using the personal information of at least 1,200 people – some more than once – to open fraudulent cable accounts in Caddo Parish. All of the suspects were contractors for RMH Cable in Austin, which was hired by Comcast to find new customers in the Shreveport area. While working locally, the contractors identified residents who agreed to have cable service installed using others’ information so the contractors could collect a commission.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man remains in the Gregg County Jail on a charge of online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct. Placed under a $50,000 bond was Joey Huddleston, 34. He was arrested late Monday morning on East Loop 281 after police say he made arrangements to meet with a 15-year-old boy with the intent of engaging in sexual conduct. Investigators say he knew the boy’s age prior to setting up the meeting. He had reportedly been communicating with the boy through online messages. Gregg County Jail records indicate Huddleston was arrested a couple of months ago on a charge of injury of a child/elderly/disabled person with the intent of bodily injury.

TYLER — A University of Texas at Tyler fraternity has been suspended for one year following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior. Beverly Golden, Director of Marketing and Communications for UT Tyler, provided our news partner KETK with a statement regarding the suspension of the Rho-Nu chapter of Kappa Sigma. That statement can be read below: Continue reading UTT Fraternity Suspended for One Year

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Former Whitehouse High School and Oklahoma wide receiver Trey Metoyer has been sentenced to eight years of probation following accusations he exposed himself to women. Cleveland County, Oklahoma, District Attorney Greg Mashburn’s office says Metoyer was convicted of indecent exposure after entering a blind plea, meaning he didn’t strike a deal with prosecutors. The state had requested a prison sentence of at least three years for Metoyer but a judge gave him probation instead. Metoyer left the Sooners football team in 2013 after being charged with indecent exposure. Authorities say he publicly exposed himself to two different women in Norman. Metoyer started four of the 11 games he played in 2012 and played in four games in 2013.

LAKE PALESTINE — A woman was hospitalized Monday night after she fell into a culvert washout near Lake Palestine. KETK reports recent rains washed away part of Wiley Drive in the Shadybrook Subdivision. The woman was pulled from the approximate 33-foot drop with a basket by firefighters around 11:00 p.m., according to the Jacksonville Fire Department. She initially fell into the gap at about 9:30 p.m. The hole is estimated to be about 25 feet wide.

ALTO — Alto ISD canceled school for Tuesday, April 28. According to KETK, school officials said the district was still with power following heavy storms on Sunday night into early Monday morning. The district also had to close its doors on Monday because of no electricity.

LONGVIEW — With layoffs and cutbacks increasingly common, area economic development officials want residents to know “East Texas is hiring.” According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, the Longview Economic Development Corp., Kilgore Economic Development Corp. and Tyler Economic Development Council have banded together to offer a job fair from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center. More than 60 area employers are signed up to talk with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume. Continue reading Longview Job Fair Underway

TYLER — Robert E. Lee High School senior Josh Bice is one of only 39 students from across the nation to be invited into The University Fellows Experience at The University of Alabama. According to the university, typically 30 to 35 students accept the invitation. The University Fellows Experience, housed in the Honors College, prepares students for leadership and service to their community, state, nation and world. University Fellows receive a Presidential Scholarship (valued at $99,800 over four years or $24,950 per year) for tuition and a $500 stipend per semester to help with additional costs such as fees and books. Continue reading Lee High School Senior Accepted into Prestigious Honors Program

TYLER — A Smith County couple has been arrested after being accused of leaving their 7 year old daughter locked in a bathroom. Smith County sheriff’s deputies were called to the Oasis convenience store, 14773 Hwy 110 North Saturday morning regarding a little girl who was found at the store alone. She told deputies that her parents had locked her in the restroom of her house and had left her alone as punishment. Continue reading Couple Charged with Child Abandonment

QUITMAN — A Mineola man was taken into custody Sunday morning for allegedly firing rounds inside a person’s vehicle. Authorities say around 5:30 a.m., the Wood County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary on FM 49. While law officers responded to the scene, dispatchers learned a man was inside the caller’s vehicle shooting a gun. When authorities arrived at the home, they found Brandon Corey Chrietzberg, 40, in the back yard. Deputies also found two guns near the suspect and bullet holes in the interior of the vehicle involved. Chrietzberg was arrested and booked into the Wood County Jail. He is charged with deadly conduct, mischief, and burglary of a vehicle. The suspect’s bond was set at $73,000.

TYLER — Smith County is implementing a program to help curb dangerous speeding in school zones, reduce collisions, and enhance the safety of children and pedestrians in the community. According to a news release, the county is partnering with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) to launch a school zone safety camera program. “Smith County is focused on public safety and limited enforcement to ensure the safety of the community’s school children,” County Judge Joel Baker said. “I believe it is a more efficient way to enforce laws that are already in place.” Continue reading Smith County Partners for School Safety Zone Program

WHITE OAK — Ten homes were damaged Monday morning when two oil tanks exploded in White Oak. According to KETK, fire officials said the tank caught fire at around 3 a.m. Three homes at the Lake Harris Mobile Home Park suffered extensive heat damage and others were hit by metal debris. Authorities believe a lightning strike may have sparked the blaze. Firefighters monitored the flames as they burned themselves out off South Lake Harris Road. Martineau Operating Co. has shut down production at the site until further notice. A woman was taken to a local hospital after stepping on glass, but no other injuries were reported. Residents in the area were evacuated during the incident but have since returned to their homes. White Oak, East Mountain, and Clarksville City Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene.

HARRISON COUNTY — One person has been killed in a Harrison County crash involving a tractor trailer. The wreck occurred Monday morning just before 5:00. According to KETK, the Department of Public Safety said the deceased driver is Allan Douglas Rambin, 56, of Big Sandy. A hazmat crew responded to the scene on Davidson Road to clean up a crude oil spill. The site, near Harleton, is located a few miles off FM 450, east of Diana. Davidson Road was shut down to allow crews to clear the oil. How the crash occurred was not immediately known.

EAST TEXAS — The clean up continues in the wake of widespread damage in East Texas caused by storms that passed through the area Sunday night. Here’s a partial rundown as reported by KETK:
*Ten homes have been damaged when two oil tanks exploded in White Oak. According to KETK, fire officials said the tank caught fire at around 3:00 Monday morning. Three homes at the Lake Harris Mobile Home Park suffered extensive heat damage and others were hit by metal debris. Authorities believe a lightning strike may have sparked the blaze. Firefighters monitored the flames as they burned themselves out off South Lake Harris Road. Martineau Operating Co. has shut down production at the site until further notice. A woman was taken to a local hospital after stepping on glass, but no other injuries were reported. Residents in the area were evacuated during the incident but have since returned to their homes. White Oak, East Mountain, and Clarksville City Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene. Continue reading Severe Weather Damage in East Texas

TYLER — The death of an infant is under investigation by Tyler Police. Authorities say police, fire, and EMS personnel responded to 6312 Springbrook Drive in Tyler shortly after 10:45 Saturday morning in reference to an infant who was not responsive. The mother told police that she was sleeping in her bed with her 8-month-old son and upon waking at around 10:30 found him cold and unresponsive. EMS responded but the child was found to be deceased. The infant was transported to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy.

KILGORE — One person is dead after a vehicle and motorcycle collided in Kilgore. KETK reports that on Saturday at approximately 4:35 p.m., Kilgore police officers responded to a crash at the intersection of State Highway 135 North and Peavine Road. According to authorities, the initial investigation revealed a car driven by Angel Tovias Fajardo, 26, of Kilgore, was traveling eastbound on Peavine and tried to cross the northbound lane of Highway 135 traffic, failing to yield to traffic. The vehicle was then struck by a motorcycle, driven by Joshua Shane Clinton, 37, of Overton. Clinton was traveling northbound in the 4000 block of SH 135N in the outside lane of traffic. Clinton died as a result of injuries from the crash. Continue reading One Killed in Kilgore Wreck

EAST TEXAS — Early voting is underway as of Monday and runs through May 5 in the May 9 municipal elections in East Texas. A number of candidates and issues are on ballots throughout the region. Among other things, Longview will soon have a new mayor, and there will be a change on the Tyler City Council. Check with your local governmental entities for more information. In Smith County, you can check http://smith-county.com/Government/Departments/Elections/ElectionInfo.aspx for a more complete rundown.

SMITH COUNTY — Fire officials are investigating an early morning house fire. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and KETK, a home in the 1500 block of Cooks Crossing caught fire Monday morning. They believe it was caused by a lightning strike. Details are limited.

EAST TEXAS — According to officials at Rusk Independent School District and Alto Independent School District, Monday’s classes were canceled due to weather-related problems. District leaders informed KETK of the closing around 8:15 a.m.

LONGVIEW — Officials got busy Monday selecting jurors in the capital murder trial of Brendan Xavier Douglas, 25. He has been charged with aggravated robbery and capital murder in the May 15, 2012, shooting death of DeAundray Lamanze Rossum, 23. The shooting occurred in a parking lot at the Signal Hill Apartments on Longview’s south side. Also charged in the case are Torry and Deion Reed.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — A swimming accident has claimed the life of a Sulphur Springs High School Senior. Isaac Perez died while swimming on Saturday. The announcement was made on the band’s Facebook page, where school employee Cindy Welch released the following statement: “There are some students who quietly gain your respect and affection. They don’t draw much attention to themselves, just steadily pursue goals with quiet determination. Isaac Perez, an SSHS Band Senior, was such a young man. He gave it all on the football field and right in the middle of the game gave it all on the marching field. We lost Isaac today in a swimming accident. Our SSHS band family will miss him very much.”

TYLER Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of April 27, 2015. Schedules are subject to change due to weather, equipment or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention in these and all work zones.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct base repair work on Farm Road 2015 between Farm Road 14 and Farm Road 16 as well as on Farm Road 1805 between Farm Road 1252 and the Van Zandt County line. Expect lane closures with traffic controlled by flaggers. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

ANGELINA COUNTY — Investigators searched a Huntington property after complaints of cock fighting and gambling Saturday. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Dallas County District Attorney Office executed the search warrant at 224 Clark Road. Twenty people were arrested and felony charges are expected to be filed. According to KETK, cock fighting paraphernalia, gambling paraphernalia and live animals were seized. Continue reading Cockfighting Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests

LONVIEW — Police say one person involved in a major vehicle accident in Longview on Tuesday has died. Wanda McCowan, 39, died Saturday at a Longview hospital after being injured in a head-on collision. According to KETK, she was the driver who investigators believes caused a three vehicle accident that injured several people, including two small children. Investigators determined a Kia Sorento, driven by Connie Jimmerson, Longview, was headed west on West Loop 281 when her vehicle was hit by McCowan traveling in the other direction. Police determined the McCowan drove into the center turn lane and then entered Jimmerson’s lane, causing the wreck. Continue reading Woman Involved in Major Longview Accident Dies

PALESTINE — Police are investigating an aggravated robbery in Palestine. It happened just before 11:30 Friday night at the Chanel Stop & Go convenience store in the 1900 block of West Oak Street. According to KETK, two armed black men, wearing ski masks, entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The store clerk says one of the men then came behind the counter and pointed a gun at the back of her head. The second man reportedly stole the clerk’s purse, identification, and cash. The two men then left the store. No injuries were reported. Continue reading Palestine Robbery Under Investigation

TYLER — Lightning appears to be the cause of a house fire in Tyler late Friday night. It happened in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road just before 10:30. According to KETK, when firefighters arrived at the scene, the entire second floor of the house was in engulfed. After several hours, fire crews were able to completely extinguish the blaze. The first floor received minor smoke and water damage. No one was injured during the blaze. Fire investigators say the fire was sparked by lightning.