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TYLER – A 45-year-old Flint man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. Barry Porter Griffith pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of child pornography and was then sentenced to 42 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis of Tyler. According to information presented in court, on October 31, 2012, Texas Department of Criminal Justice network engineers detected significant internet bandwidth being used by a state-owned computer to view pornography online. The engineers identified the user as Griffith, a state parole officer. They remotely viewed the websites that Griffith was accessing and determined that he was viewing child pornography from his office. Continue reading Smith County Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Violations

LONGVIEW — A man on Rusk County’s most wanted list is arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Officials tell KETK Charles Glenn Allen had been sought since he was indicted on aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. The Smith County Sheriff’s Department also has a warrant out for Allen for burglary. Allen’s record includes being apprehended in 2012 for evading arrest, a class A misdemeanor. Allen is being held in the Gregg County Jail on $100,000 bond.

ATHENS — A Brownsboro man awaits punishment after being convicted of the aggravated sexual assault of a seven-year-old family member. The verdict came down from the bench late Saturday afternoon in Athens against Christopher Swofford, 33. According to KETK, Swofford was also convicted of indecency with a child by sexual contact and indecency with a child by exposure. The trial involved testimony from Swofford’s wife, Sasha, who had previously been convicted in June by a Henderson County Jury for acts arising out of the same events. Continue reading Brownsboro Man Convicted in Child Sex Case

GREENVILLE — It’s been a year since a road crew in Van Zandt County found the body of murdered Greenville teenager Alicia Moore. It’s been a tough period for the family. Jessica Byrd is Alicia’s aunt. She says every so often, something will pop up and make family members think about the situation and how their lives have changed. Police have arrested Michael Moore (pictured) for her murder. He is the 16-year-old’s great uncle. In a jailhouse interview, Moore has denied any part of the murder.

LONGVIEW — An Athens woman will spend the next 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty to a pair of child sex charges. The Longview News-Journal reports Peggy Weinberg, 27, appeared Tuesday in the Gregg County 188th District Court. She pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and sexual performance by a child. Weinberg was sentenced to two 30-year prison sentences that will run concurrently. She must serve each day of the first 30-year sentence. She will be 57 years old before she is eligible for release. She must also register as a sex offender. Continue reading Woman Gets Lengthy Sentence in Child Sex Case

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer woman whom police say was killed in front of her toddler son by her estranged boyfriend during a September football game was shot three times, according to the Longview News-Journal. Cheyenne Green, 29, died September 26 of a gunshot wound to her head that perforated her spinal cord, according to the autopsy report released yesterday. Green suffered three gunshot wounds, the fatal shot to her head, a shot to her face and one to her shoulder. Green was at Gilmer High School’s Buckeye Stadium that night to pick up her 2-year-old son from his father, Jonathan Ray Shepherd, 32. Shepherd remains in the Upshur County Jail under $1 million bond, charged with capital murder.

CHAPEL HILL — A highly debated Chapel Hill ISD bond issue is voted down. The $31.2 million bond package would have covered numerous improvements at district facilities. The bond was defeated with 1,054 of the votes. There were 619 votes for the measure.

SMITH COUNTY — The legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption has been approved by voters in Justice of the Peace Precints 1 and 4. According to the Smith County Election Administrator, 109 potential votes were not counted and would have to be retrieved from the electronic voting machines at the Elections Office. The official did say they retrieved votes would not affect the outcome. Continue reading Voters Passed Local Options in JP 1 and 4

EAST TEXAS — Texas voters have approved all 9 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Smith County voters also approved all nine amendments. Plus Smith County voters in Justice of the Peace Precincts 1 and 4 have approved local option elections. It usually takes up to 60 days for license applications to go through. Stores in those areas who apply for a license should be selling alcoholic beverages after the first of the year. The only local item not to win at the ballot box in Smith County was the Chapel Hill School bond issue. In unofficial returns, the votes were 1,054 against the proposal and 619 for it. Visit the Elections page at the Smith County Website — http://www.smith-county.com — for up-to-date election information. Continue reading Amendments, Local Option Elections Pass; Two Bond Issues Fail

LONGVIEW — Several roads will be closed this week due to railroad closings, including H.G. Mosley Parkway, Fredonia Street, and Enterprise Street. Enterprise Street will be closed between W. Marshall Avenue and W. Loop 281 on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The detour will be to W. Loop 281. H.G. Mosley Parkway will be closed between W. Marshall Avenue and W. Cotton Street on Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The detour will be to Lake Lamond Road. Fredonia Street will be closed between E. Cotton Street and E. Tyler Street on Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The detour will be to Center Street. Continue reading Railroad Crossing Road Closures through November 8

WHITEHOUSE — Exciting news for the city of Whitehouse. KETK reports the city council just put its final stamp of approval on a new sports park. Last month, $450,000 was added to the budget to complete renovations to the baseball and softball fields. The budget amendment will help pay for two new fields and additional parking. Don Branam, the city’s director of parks and recreation, says, “It’s a small complex, but we feel like it’s gonna be one of the best ones in East Texas.” Renovations to the concession building are also in the works. The project is expected to be complete by spring 2014.

ATHENS – Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt’s deputies, along with other law enforcement officers, arrested 10 Henderson County parents who violated court orders requiring them to pay child support, according to a news release from the Texas Attorney General’s office. Tuesday’s sweep was conducted in conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. The effort focused on parents who were the subjects of arrest warrants because of their alleged failure to pay child support. “Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said. Continue reading Henderson County Sheriff Conducts Child Support Roundup

TYLER — Tyler Emergency Management officials exercised the City’s Emergency Management Plan Tuesday to evaluate agency preparedness and interagency communications, and they say the effort was a success. Representatives with the Tyler Fire Department and the Tyler Police Department coordinated with the local medical community to exercise various aspects of each agency’s emergency plan. Continue reading Officials Report Success at Emergency Preparedness Exercise

TYLER — A Tyler woman has been hospitalized after her car went off the road and through a bridge support. According to KETK, Minnie Hamilton, 29, was driving eastbound on Smith County Road 1113 toward Highway 155 around 10:00 yesterday morning, when she lost control of her car. Hamilton ran off the road coming around a curve and overcorrected. She crossed the other side of the road and drove into a Lake Placid Road creek, just east of Greenbriar Road. When she went into the creek, Hamilton’s car collided with the bridge support. Continue reading Woman Hospitalized after Car Crashes through Bridge Support

DALLAS (AP) – An East Texas man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his estranged wife in a Dallas parking garage. Court records show Ferdinand Glen Smith, 42, of Longview, pleaded guilty to murder in a plea deal. His wife, Karen Cox Smith, 41, was attacked in January while in a campus garage at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The victim worked at the complex. The Dallas Morning News reports the case helped lead to an effort by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to target domestic violence. Rawlings has said he was especially affected by the deadly attack, which occurred at the same hospital complex where his mother was treated for cancer.

TYLER — A grease fire has temporarily closed the Abarrotes Y Taqueria Guerrero Restaurant at 2021 East Gentry Parkway. The fire was quickly handled by the restaurant’s fire extinguishing system. The closure was pending health department approval for resumption of service.

SMITH COUNTY — With more rain in the forecast, authorities issue another caution about safe driving. KETK reports Monday was a good example, even though the rain was not heavy, several accidents were reported in the Tyler area. One happened on Highway 31 West near Toll Road 49 when a car hydroplaned and rolled several feet into the median. The driver was unconscious when crews pulled her from the car. She was taken to a Tyler hospital. Her condition was unknown at last report.

LUFKIN — According to the Angelina County booking records, Richard Wayne Taylor was indicted Monday. KETK reports his bond has been set at $1,250,000. Authorities allege Taylor had previously stabbed his wife, Shirley Ann Taylor, 67, in their bedroom at her home on Kurth Drive. Ms. Taylor died in a local hospital Thursday night. Investigators believe Richard Taylor, 51, used a knife to stab her multiple times. Taylor’s body has been sent for autopsy in Beaumont. There, the number and type of injuries, along with the cause of death, will be determined. Results are not expected for several weeks. Continue reading Bond Set for Lufkin Man in Wife’s Fatal Stabbing

TYLER – Community members joined representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Tyler Mayor Pro Tem Martin Heines, and other community leaders for the Wall Raising Ceremony of Habitat’s 100th home built in Smith County. The event took place at 1702 North Spring Avenue in Tyler on Monday morning. “The citizens of Smith County have supported our work for nearly 25 years, so we want the 100th home to be a community-wide event,” said Jack Wilson, Habitat’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have come to this milestone because of the generous people of our community.” Continue reading Smith County Habitat Holds 100th Wall Raising Ceremony

TYLER — Dropping temperatures this fall mean many of us turn to space heaters for comfort. But according to KETK, all too often we’ve seen destruction, even death they leave behind when used incorrectly. Tyler firefighters say the supreme commandment when it comes to space heaters is never leave one unattended. But this time of year, the people who answer the call for help guarantee space heaters will be the culprit behind many calls to house fires. Firefighters point out that the devices are not designed to heat entire homes, but that’s what they see them used for. Firefighters remind users that space heaters should only be on for a short period of time.

TYLER — Smith County officials are looking for a missing woman. KETK reports Elizabeth Hamilton, 28, was last seen October 25 at 1:30 a.m. Hamilton had left a note saying she was going to the store for cigarettes when she left in her mother’s vehicle, a 2004 beige Cadillac SRX with Texas license plate BHZ0217. Hamilton has not been seen or heard from since, and her phone is turned off. She is 5 feet 5 inches and weighs 115 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes, a thin build, tattoos including stars on her left wrist, a lock on her inner right forearm, and a skull tattoo on one of her calves. It is unknown what she was last wearing. Her mother, Lynn Day, has said it is possible that she is in Kilgore or Atlanta, Texas. Anyone who sees Elizabeth is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

PALM BEACH, FL — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has positively identified the body found Thursday in a sugarcane field as the missing Palm Beach County school nurse. According to deputies, the missing person case is now a homicide investigation. Kimberly Lindsey, 49, formerly of Jacksonville, Texas, vanished Sunday after returning to her Palm Beach Gardens home. Her ex-husband, considered to be the main suspect, has been found dead. Albert Lambert is said to have died from a drug overdose. He was found dead at a sister’s house in Miami. Continue reading Body of Missing East Texas Native Found, Suspect Also Dead

BERRYVILLE — An early morning fire in Henderson County Sunday morning destroys a home. It was reported on Crestview Lane in Berryville. According to KETK, there were no injuries but the mobile home was a complete loss. No word on how the fire started.

CHIRENO (AP) — An East Texas woman has been recognized for her 80-year unbroken membership in her church. Lilly Stone joined the Chireno United Methodist Church in 1933, when she was 8 years old. The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches reports that Stone was recently awarded a plaque signed by the church’s bishop and district superintendent honoring her longtime membership. Stone says, “It was a shock. I really didn’t know how long I had been a member. I didn’t think about it.” Stone joined the church while living with her grandmother, whose house abutted the church’s parsonage. Stone celebrated her 88th birthday on Thursday. Chireno is a town of about 400 people in Nacogdoches County.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 near Red Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

NACOGDOCHES — A one vehicle accident in Nacogdoches County has left one person dead. Killed when his pickup left the road, overturned and hit a tree was Robert Earl Davis, 57, of Nacogdoches. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The Department of Public Safety report says Davis was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The accident happened shortly after 8:15 Saturday night on U.S, Highway 59, just north of County Road 254.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are looking for a man involved in several vehicle burglaries around Longview. Two of these burglaries occurred at Gorman McCracken. The suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male who is possibly using a CO2 pellet gun to break the vehicle windows and then stealing items inside the vehicles. If anyone has any information on these burglaries or the suspect they are asked to call Detective Rebecca Reeves at 903-237-1199 or contact Gregg County CrimeStoppers.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is being held in jail under a $100,500 bond after being arrested on drug charges. According to KETK, Billy Don Pirtle, 47, was arrested around 10:30 Friday night in the 1300 block of East Marshall Avenue after police noticed the vehicle he was in matched the description of a vehicle suspected in multiple burglaries. After searching his vehicle, police learned that Pirtle had a warrant out for his arrest and had been arrested previously for reckless driving, aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and evading arrest.

A search of the vehicle turned up a cloth bag that contained a set of scales, 15 pre-packaged baggies with methamphetamine weighing 7.2 grams and 17 methadone pills. Pirtle was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance of more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams and manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance of more than 200 grams but less than 400 grams.

TATUM — A Tatum ISD teacher is on administrative leave after allegations she had an improper relationship with a male student. According to the Longview News-Journal, an investigation began October 25. Three days later, Tatum ISD Superintendent Dee Hartt told Tatum Police the district was conducting an internal investigation into allegations the female teacher sent inappropriate messages to the male student via Facebook and text message. The teacher had been placed on administrative leave. The News-Journal did not identify the teacher because she has not been charged with a crime.

TYLER — The U.S. Marshals Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force arrested Jason Lee Oliver Friday. According to KETK, officials say Oliver had been a fugitive from Smith County for exactly three years. He’d been wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office since November 1, 2010. His warrants included two felony indictments of assault family violence and evading arrest with prior conviction. Oliver was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for these offenses, but failed to surrender for the service of his sentence, according to authorities. Oliver’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, theft, possession of marijuana, evading arrest, and failure to I.D. as a fugitive. Continue reading Authorities: Longtime Fugitive Caught