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TYLER — Changes to the Smith County policy for other postemployment benefits (OPEB) in 2005 and 2012 have netted more than $17 million in savings, County Judge Joel Baker announced in Commissioners Court Tuesday. According to a county news release, many state and local governmental employers provide OPEB as part of the total compensation in addition to pensions that is offered to attract and retain the services of qualified employees. Other postemployment benefits include postemployment healthcare and life insurance, when provided separately from a pension plan. “We had situations where an employee may have worked 18 years in another county before transferring to Smith County for two years and then retiring. Upon their retirement, the employee collected postemployment healthcare benefits from Smith County for the rest of his or her life,” Judge Baker said. Continue reading Baker: County Policy Saves $17.7 Million

MARSHALL – Authorities say a 45-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Marshall has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Melicio Nunez-Duque, also known as La Burra, of Coyuca de Catalan, Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Jan. 30, 2013, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced in Marshall to 108 months in federal prison on Feb. 18, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Nunez-Duque was also ordered to pay a money judgment in the amount of $20,000 to the United States as part of his sentence. Continue reading Mexican National Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine in East Texas

MARSHALL – A 42-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Marshall was sentenced to over 18 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Apolinar Carbajal Abelardo, of Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Feb. 18, 2013, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 225 months in federal prison on Feb. 18, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall. Abelardo also agreed to forfeit a truck, several firearms, $13,650 in U.S. currency and a money judgment in the amount of $20,000 to the United States as part of his sentence. Continue reading Authorities: Illegal Alien Sentenced for Drug Violations in Harrison County

LONGVIEW — A former janitor in Longview public schools is sentenced to 7 years in prison after he confessed to sexually assaulting a mentally disabled boy in January 2012. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report 54-year-old Bobby Ray Jackson pleaded guilty to engaging in various sexual acts with the boy. The boy told police the assaults started in late 2010, when he was 13 years old, and took place at Jackson’s apartment. He said Jackson threatened to hurt him if anyone found out about their relationship.

KILGORE (AP/Staff) – Investigators are trying to determine if a domestic dispute led an East Texas man to kill his sister-in-law before exchanging gunfire with police, resulting in his death. Autopsy results are pending on 32-year-old Elizabeth Vinson and 37-year-old Randy Vinson, both of Kilgore. Four Kilgore police officers and a Gregg County sheriff’s deputy are on paid leave. Continue reading Probe Continues after Police Kill Man Sought in Slaying

TROUP — The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an East Texas man on multiple indecent behavior charges. According to KETK, on Friday, authorities arrested Bruce Alan Thomas, 40, Troup, on several counts of indecent behavior with juveniles. He’s accused of providing five boys with pornography, sex toys, nude photos and videos of himself on numerous occasions. The activity dates back to 2009 when the boys were 7 to 10 years old and continued until this year when it was reported by a parent of one of the victims. Thomas was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on a bond of $101,438. The investigation is still ongoing.

KILGORE — Kilgore College announces that the KC Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the resurrection of the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Criminal Justice, which will begin the next fall semester at KC. The program was eliminated in 2005 at KC because of a short-lived push by the Commission on Law Enforcement in the early 2000s to try to require a baccalaureate degree for basic licensure. “That requirement met great resistance from around the state, especially from small and rural law enforcement agencies, because of the already-existing difficulty in finding qualified applicants willing to work in those agencies,” said Michael Ferguson, Deputy Director of the East Texas Police Academy. “Many administrators feared that adding an additional barrier to employment would make it well-nigh impossible for them to find officers.” Continue reading Kilgore College Resurrects Criminal Justice Degree

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler continues its tradition of excellence in parliamentary debate by earning another top spot in competition and a place in the national championship, Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced. UT Tyler sophomore political science major Kaitlyn Bull of Powderly and freshman social sciences major Sam Cook of Flint placed second overall at the Point Loma Nazarene University tournament, held in San Diego, Calif. Bull also received an award that recognizes the top five speakers at the tournament, which is considered one of the premier National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence events during the spring semester and showcases some of the best debaters in the country, according to a UTT news release. Continue reading UTT Earns Top Spot at Debate Tournament, Prepares for National Championship

SMITH COUNTY — Two people killed in a fiery two-vehicle Smith County wreck have been identified. DPS tells KETK Bobby Lee Phillips III, 27, of Gladewater, and David Marshall Southerland, 63, of Tyler, were killed at the scene of the wreck which happened around 6:00 p.m. Monday on Highway 271 just north of Farm to Market Road 16. Phillips was driving a truck northbound on Hwy. 271 when he merged over into the southbound lane, hitting Southerland’s car head-on.

CANTON — Andy Flowers, president of the Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers, is asking concerned citizens of the county to consider serving on the Crime Stoppers board to help the organization gain more visibility and do more to help fight crime. Flowers said he would like to add at least six members to the Crime Stoppers board, which now has nine members. The board meets once a month to determine cash rewards for anonymous tips that have led to arrests of criminals, and occasionally takes part in local festivals and events to get its crime-stopping message out to the public. Continue reading Van Zandt Crime Stoppers Seeks to Expand Board

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a man wanted for an aggravated assault that occurred the night of February 6 at the intersection of Tyler Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Officials also said he shed his clothes while running from police early this morning. According to KETK, police have identified the man as Daniel Cobb, 25. They say he ran away from officers when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Authorities have been searching in the area of 33rd Street for the suspect, who was last reported to be unclothed and on foot. If you know of Cobb’s whereabouts, you’re asked to contact the Tyler Police Department or your local authorities.

TYLER — A young bicycle rider is hit by a car just outside Tyler shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. KETK reports the victim is now identified as nine-year-old Sergio Moreno Jr. DPS troopers say it happened near the intersection of Loop 323 and Morningside Drive. Officials say Moreno didn’t yield to the car. He was first taken to a local hospital, then flown to Dallas. No word on his condition at last report.

TYLER — Early voting for the March 4 Primary Election began today. If you live in Smith County, visit http://www.smith-county.com to view sample ballots or look up your voting precinct. You can get additional information at http://www.smith-county.com/Government/Departments/Elections/Default.aspx or call the Smith County Elections office at 903-590-4777. Continue reading Early Voting Underway

TYLER – The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees is asking for the community’s input in the naming of two new facilities scheduled to open in the fall of 2015. These facilities include a new middle school located near Three Lakes Road in south Tyler and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center located at the corner of Earl Campbell Parkway and Bennett Drive. Continue reading Tyler ISD Seeks Community Input in Naming New Facilities

TYLER — A landmark lumber company in East Texas has announced it will close its doors after nearly nine decades in business. On Monday, Gulf State Lumber publicly revealed it will be going out of business April 1. The locally owned and operated lumber yard has been in business selling retail, commercial, and residential lumber since 1928. Larry Hussey, the president of the company and employee of 26 years, tells KETK the staffers are sad to be going out of business and they appreciate all the friends they have made over the years. “We are closing due to the drastic change in the economy,” said Hussey. The company, which is owned by Sam Wolf and employs nine people, is located at 302 East Line Street in Tyler.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview are continuing to investigate after a missing man was found dead late last week. Police officially confirmed the death of Gaylon Bradley Jr. and say they’re seeking help solving the case. Bradley’s body was found in a creek in the 1200 block of Pegues Place on Friday. Bradley’s family had reported him missing February 12, telling police he had last been seen on February 9. Toxicology results are pending. According to the Longview News-Journal, preliminary autopsy reports show Bradley, who was legally blind, sustained “no lethal injuries.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.

KILGORE — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in a theft and criminal mischief case that resulted in a huge loss to a local business. Sometime between Wednesday, February 5th, and Wednesday, February 12th, officials say an unknown person or people entered buildings belonging to Sunoco Logistics at 143 Landfill Road in Kilgore. Whoever was responsible stole materials and caused damages in excess of $525,000. Continue reading Suspects Sought in $525,000 Theft from Area Business

TYLER — The trial for accused mall shooter Ricky Neal, Jr., has been postponed again due to the fact Neal still has not hired an attorney. Neal is charged with killing a 23-year-old, Chris Mass, outside the Broadway Square Mall in Tyler on February 9, 2013. KETK reports the trial was originally slated to begin August 5, 2013, but was first pushed back to October 7, after the district attorney’s office refused to accept Neal’s plea bargain. Continue reading Alleged Mall Shooter’s Trial Postponed Again

TYLER — Early voting starts tomorrow in the March primaries, and tonight offers another chance to meet some of the candidates. Hopefuls for all opposed races in Smith County have been invited to attend a forum at 7:00pm at the Tyler Public Library, organized by the League of Women Voters. The candidates will address questions submitted by attendees as well as a panel that includes Roy Maynard of the Tyler Morning Telegraph, League of Women Voters President Mary Claire Rowe, and University of Texas at Tyler Senior Lecturer Kevin Dilley. The event is free and open to the public.

PITTSBURG — An early morning fire has destroyed two businesses in Pittsburg Sunday. It happened around 4:00 just off of Highway 11 in the historic part of Pittsburg. Pittsburg Fire Chief, Carl Cravey, told KETK, they got the call that one of the downtown businesses was on fire. Upon arrival, they found The Computer Emporium engulfed in flames. The fire had progressed into the attic area and caught another business, Nora’s Salon, on fire. The fire was under control by 8:00 a.m. Both businesses were destroyed and surrounding businesses received some smoke damage. Pittsburg Police said that because of the structural damage, the sidewalks in front and behind the destroyed businesses will be closed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Emergency Management officials, along with the Tyler ISD transportation department and local EMS personnel, participate today in a joint training exercise to assess emergency preparedness procedures. The exercise, which will include various scenarios designed to assess emergency operations during actual incidents, began at 8 a.m. and will conclude around 12:30 p.m. Activities and stations are set up at the Tyler Fire Department Training Facility located at 701 Fair Park Dr., along with areas in the Rose Stadium parking lot. Continue reading Tyler Fire, EMS, School Personnel to Hold Tactical Training Event

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a report of a robbery Saturday night. It happened just after 10:00 at Cambridge Apartments, 3088 Old Omen Road. Authorities said a pizza delivery man was taking a pizza to an apartment when he was approached by a man who pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and demanded all his money. The victim handed over the cash and ran. The suspect ran in the opposite direction. He’s described as a thin black male, between the ages of 20-30, around 6′ feet tall and wearing a dark hoodie. The victim was not injured. Contact authorities with any information.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to an armed robbery early this morning. It happened next door to the Taco Bell at the Time It Lube, 3900 Troup Highway around 12:45. According to the responding officer, a Tyler Cab driver had gotten food from the Taco Bell and had parked behind the oil change business next door to eat his lunch when he was approached by a black male. The suspect showed a handgun and forced the driver out of his car. He reportedly stole the victim’s belongings and keys to the cab and fled the scene, heading west on Lindenbergh. The victim was not injured. Continue reading Taxi Driver Robbed at Gunpoint

ANGELINA COUNTY — An East Texas man is now in jail for cruelty to an animal and driving while intoxicated. According to KETK, it happened at 10:50 Saturday night in the 600 block of north Timberland Drive when police found a Roger Whitmill, 47, dragging a dog that was tied behind his vehicle. Lufkin Police said the dog was seriously injured in the incident and was taken to a local veterinarians office for treatment. Whitmill was also found to be intoxicated while driving with a BAC of .15 and also in possession of marijuana. In the state of Texas, the legal limit is .08. He was arrested and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals: torture, driving while intoxicated, no driver’s license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Whitmill was booked into Angelina County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was in Longview Sunday joining local law enforcement, elected officials, and advocacy groups for a roundtable discussion on the rising problem of human trafficking in the region and joint efforts to crack down on traffickers and protect victims. According to a Cornyn press release, human trafficking has become a growing problem throughout East Texas as traffickers capitalize on major thoroughfares such as I-20 and SH 259. Continue reading Senator Cornyn Stopped in Longview to Discuss Human Trafficking

ANDERSON COUNTY — An Anderson County Jail inmate is charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a public servant after injuring two jailers. Crystal Ann Torrez, 28, was arrested by the Palestine Police Department on Jan. 19 for multiple charges, including theft, fraud, possession of a controlled substance, failure to identify a fugitive from justice and driving while license invalid, according to the Palestine Herald-Press. Continue reading Suicidal Inmate Attacked Jailers

LUFKIN — Two East Texans are behind bars after being found with dangerous drugs. It happened at 11:50 a.m. Friday in the 600 block of south Timberland Drive in Lufkin. Police found Fairbanks Deason, 22, delivering the prescription pills, Alprazolam, to Katherine Barfield, 44. According to ketk, Alprazolam is the generic Xanax pill and is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. The pill works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in body called GABA and acts on the brain and nerves to produce a calming effect. Both Deason and Barfield were arrested and taken to Angelina County Jail. Deason was charged with delivering of a dangerous drug and Barfield was charged with possession of a dangerous drug.

HENDERSON CONTY — Officials have arrested escaped Georgia inmate, Raymond Thomas Smith, who was found in Corsicana, Texas by members of the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Smith was being held at Tattnall County Jail in Georgia on multiple counts of aggravated child molestation before he escaped. According to KETK, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with law enforcement in Corsicana are working on Smith’s extradition back Georgia. Smith will return to face multiple counts of aggravated child molestation and new charges of escape and interference with government property. Continue reading Escaped Georgia Inmate Believed to Be in East Texas