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GILMER – Two suspects have now been formally charged with the death of a Longview woman in Upshur County. Carlton Lamar Grant, 37, from the Metroplex, appeared in a Gilmer courtroom on Monday; he’s charged with capital murder. Lindsey Jo McFadden, 29, of Longview, was formally charged on Tuesday. Both are accused in the April death of Rachel Rhoads, 24. The couple are said to have been trying to kidnap her when they strangled her and set her body on fire off Farm Road 726. The two suspects remain in the Upshur County Jail under bonds of $5 million each. McFadden and Rhoads were said to be friends of the victim, who attended drug rehab classes together.

TYLER – A Wood County woman has pleaded guilty to stealing money from her Tyler employer. In a state district court in Tyler Wednesday, Kelli Meechelle Hagan, 45, of Hawkins, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft. She accepted a 10-year deferred adjudication sentence. She was also ordered to pay restitution. The amount will be determined later. Hagan was arrested last October. She had been accused of taking over $200,000 from her employer, bankruptcy attorney William Lively. The thefts are said to have occurred over a 4 year period.

TYLER – A father gets probation in a retaliation case connected to his son’s murder case. On Tuesday, a jury found Martin Wesley Reynolds Sr., 45, of Meridian, Mississippi, guilty of retaliation against a witness in his son’s murder case. On Wednesday, the jury sentenced him to 10 years probation. Postings the man made on his Facebook page qualified as threats. The eyewitness said in court he is receiving counseling for both the killing he saw and the threats from the suspects father. The man’s son, Martin Wesley Reynolds Jr., 21, of Whitehouse, is charged with killing Andrew Carpenter, 19, of Tyler, last November. Continue reading Probation Given in a Tyler Retaliation Case

KILGORE – A major expansion has been announced in Kilgore. Orgill, Inc. on Elder Lake Road in Kilgore, will be the site of of the company’s next distribution center expansion. The decision represents new investment of $29 million and the creation of 83 jobs. This would increase employment to 224. The company has projected to invest at least $15 million in new construction and property improvements and $14 million in personal property. The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation is projecting incentives up to $1.1 million. The incentive package includes a generator and switching gear for uninterrupted power; a new driveway into the facility; land donation; tax abatements from the city of Kilgore, Kilgore College and Gregg County; and cash incentives of $557,000 to be paid over 10 years.

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas couple heads to prison for forcing a woman to work for them to pay off a purported debt. Tyno Keo and Phearom lay from Nacodoches face six months in prison, and they have to pay back a lot of money. In court docments, Lay claimed her sister owed them $50,000 for shared family medical expenses. To pay off the debt, Lay arranged for a sister to leave Cambodia and come work for them. They are accused of taking her passport and visa — and forced the woman to work long hours for minimal pay in their home and business to repay the supposed debt.

LONGVIEW – Starting Wednesday, Graystone Road in Longview is now open to all traffic. Major construction activities at the intersection of Graystone Road and Grace Creek have been completed. The street work is part of the 2016 bridge and culvert Improvements project. This project consisted of replacing the two existing 80” steel culverts, with three 10’x 8’ concrete box culverts.

ARP — There’s now a community effort to help a local firefighter after more than 50 percent of his body was burned in a fire. According to our news partner KETK, Chris Vannoy noticed smoke coming from a neighborhood building in Arp. He called it in to local authorities, then went to check on what might be causing the haze. When he opened the door to the shed, he was severely burned by a flash fire. His injuries are from the waist down. A Gofundme page was set up to help him through the process of recovery. The fund drive has already raised at least $7,000 for the family. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/5rxj8q-chriss-medical-expenses to reach the Gofundme page.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved the budget for the 2018/2019 school year during Monday night’s regularly scheduled meeting. Even though state funding decreased this year, Tyler teachers are getting raises. Each teacher will be making $1,500 more a year. Administrative staff members are getting 3% raises. The property tax rate for Tyler ISD will not be going up. That’s because of higher property tax valuations. Home values have gone up across the city, which means the average homeowner will see just a $51 increase on their property tax bill. The school district will also hire four more police officers for their schools.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Longview man has been sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison in an April 2017 driving while intoxicated crash in Upshur County. According to the Longview News Journal and our news partner KETK, Gene Arthur Smith, 57, was driving on a farm-to-market road April 1, 2017, when his vehicle hit a tree. Smith was not seriously injured. His blood alcohol level was tested at 2.5 times the legal limit. At the time of the crash, Smith was on probation out of Van Zandt County on a charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He has five previous arrests for felony offenses.

LINDALE – Lindale police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two theft suspects. They are said to have taken items from Walmart without paying for them. The items were loaded into a white Dodge Avenger. If you can identify them, please contact the Lindale Police Department.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners have approved an increase in the fee for renting the R.B. Hubbard Center, also know as “The Hub.” The county uses it for a variety of things, including elections. The public has rented it for a variety of events, including weddings. The commissioners, at the Tuesday meeting, increased the rental fee by $50, to $150. The refundable deposit remains at $100. County Judge Judge Nathan Moran said renters now have the ability to use refrigeration and kitchen space in the back, so they want to cover those costs. And he said, as the demand increases, they want to make sure the folks reserving the facility are doing so in a serious manner and are committed to covering the costs the county actually incurs. The change also sets a time frame for renters to deliver a deposit and creates a cancellation policy.

TYLER — Fit City Tyler will be having a planning meeting for Fall 2018 on Wednesday, August 22nd, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will gather in Room 104 at the TJC RTDC Building on SSW Loop 323. Fit City Tyler welcomes everyone to the meeting. A news release from the group says, “We want everyone to help make Tyler a Fit City one step, one bite and one health-conscious decision at a time, by helping plan our major health programs and community events for 2019.” By the way, attending the meeting will earn you a free Fit City t-shirt. You can go to https://www.fitcitytyler.com/ for more information.

LONGVIEW – This month, the Longview school district, like Tyler, has begun a new bag policy for all the district’s athletic events. The Longview policy says that bags must be clear and not larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or be in a clear one gallon resealable plastic freezer storage bag. The only non clear bags that are permitted are small clutch bags, with or without a strap, that are the size of a hand. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at designated areas. Among the items not approved are backpacks, large tote bags and diaper bags. You can find out more on the Longview school district’s Face Book page.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University nursing graduates who have graduated during these past three years — which were the first three years of the LETU nursing program — have achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). According to a news release from LETU, NCLEX pass rates are monitored by the Texas State Board of Nursing and are viewed as a measure of how well nurses are prepared to provide safe, quality care for health care consumers. “A lot of people choose a nursing program based on the pass rate of the NCLEX,” said LETU Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. Kimberly Quiett as quoted in the release. Quiett began the nursing program at LETU in 2014. In the fall, the official NCLEX results will be released for all of the nursing programs.

ARP – An off duty Smith County fireman was injured in a Monday fire. Airlifted to a Shreveport hospital with burns over 50% of his body was Chris Vannoy, 24. He saw smoke coming from a building behind a neighbor’s house. He called it in and then went to check on it. When he opened a door, the flames flashed around him. How the fire started remains under investigation. It was reported shortly before 2:45 Monday afternoon on Longview Street in Arp.

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville fire officials are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a large portion of the Western Pulp Products-Central Division facilities. The fire on North Bolton Street was reported around 10:00 Friday night. Five area fire department, some from Smith County, helped Jacksonville firemen put out the fire. The fire was hard to extinguish because of cardboard packing materials that was highly compacted in the eastern portion of the building. No injuries were reported.

NACOGDOCHES – An East Texas legislator has announced he will be running for Speaker of the Texas House. The announcement was made Monday by Republican State Representative Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches. Clardy was first elected in 2012 to represent House District 11, which includes Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Rusk counties. A lawyer in Nacogdoches, Clardy currently serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, and a member of the House Higher Education and Energy Resources committees.

TYLER — Smith County is getting free safety equipment from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. A news release from the association says the move is saving local taxpayer dollars and protecting county employees on the job. This year, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $13,000 and the Smith County Road and Bridge Department is getting $3,100 from the association’s Employee Safety Equipment Program. Equipment available includes personal protective equipment such as heat gear, hard hats and gloves, and hearing, eye, and respiratory protection; courthouse security devices; fire protection; and tactical safety gear for law enforcement.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the Week of Aug. 20. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct edge work on FM 346 between Teaselville and Flint. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct ditch maintenance on SH 149 near Knox Lee Power Plant. Expect lane closures with flaggers managing traffic control at both locations. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/036-2018.html for a full rundown of this week’s work schedule.

TYLER – Monday marks the start of a new school year in the Tyler school district. Motorists need to be alert for the students. Police officers will be back in school zones watching for violators for speeding and for cell phone usage in a school zone. Motorists need to slow down and watch for students and crossing guards. And remember, in school zones, keep those cell phones in your pocket. And for students walking to school, obey traffic signals and crossing guards. And, if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic. Continue reading School Bells Will Be Ringing in Tyler Monday

HALLSVILLE — No serious injuries were reported when a truck stalled on the tracks near Hallsville was struck Saturday by Amtrak’s westbound Texas Eagle. According to the Longview News-Journal and our news partner KETK, a truck being towed stopped on the tracks at Stephens Road east of Hallsville when a towing strap broke, said Lt. Jay Webb of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The Amtrak crew saw the vehicle but was unable to stop the train, which was traveling about 60 mph, in time to avoid collision. No one was in the truck and no injuries were reported on the train as a result of the incident, though three passengers were treated for heat exhaustion in the aftermath. Continue reading Amtrak Train Strikes Vehicle Stuck at Crossing

GREGG COUNTY — A woman accused of trying to sell her daughter for sex after a Longview police sting has been indicted on charges of sexual performance on a child, promotion/possession of child pornography and attempted trafficking of a person under age 18. According to the Longview News-Journal and our news partner KETK, the indictment of Carrie Songer Kelly, 44, of Lone Oak stems from an investigation that led to her arrest June 12. She remains in custody in the Gregg County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Kelly, formerly of White Oak, is accused of engaging in sex acts with her 8-year-old daughter and trying to sell the girl for sex after the Longview police sting led to the discovery of graphic videos on her phone. Continue reading East Texas Woman Indicted by Grand Jury following Sting

LAKE PALESTINE – There was a near drowning Friday on Lake Palestine. It happened around 10:00am near Eagle’s Bluff. Our news partner, KETK, reports a man fell from a ladder while he worked on a boat house. He was injured as he fell into water that was around five feet deep. A friend pulled him from the water and started CPR. The man was flown to the hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. His name has not been released.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County Jail inmate showed no signs or problems before he was found hanging in his jail cell. Tony Waters, 55, of Kilgore was found hanging in his cell last month. He had used his clothes to fashion a makeshift rope and was found hanging in his cell shower. He died in a Longview hospital several days later. He had been arrested in connection with a Tyler shooting that left two persons dead and one injured. The Longview News Journal says Waters showed no signs of mental or psychological problems before hanging himself. That information in contained in a report that has been sent to the state attorney general’s office.

EAST TEXAS – Unemployment in Tyler and Longview continues to drop. The Texas Workforce Commission reports the state’s unemployment rate stood at 4% for the second straight month. That’s just below the national jobless figure of 4.1%. Tyler has both of them beat. Tyler’s July unemployment rate fell from 3.9% in June to 3.7% last month. A year ago it was 4.1%. Longview’s unemployment fell from 4.4% in June to 4.3% last month. It was 5.2% a year ago. Texas added about 23,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in July, marking 25 consecutive months of employment growth in the state.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview woman has been indicted for arson causing death in connection with a fatal fire. According to our news partner KETK, Kimberly Nicole Bruton, 32, of Longview, was originally arrested on March 10, 2018, but released the following day on lack of evidence. On March 9, officials responded to a fire on 103 Cherie Lane in Longview. Lisa Tesmer and Randall Russell, a father and daughter, were identified as the victims and the residents of the duplex. The search warrant says Deputy Fire Marshal Clint Steelman arrived on the scene to find Bruton, “Standing outside the residence holding a 32-ounce bottle of charcoal lighter fluid.” Continue reading Longview Woman Indicted for Arson following Fatal Fire

TYLER – There was a pretrial hearing in Tyler Thursday for capital murder suspect Gustavo Zavala-Garcia. He is charged with the November 2016 death of 10 year old Kayla Gomez Orozco. She was killed after being abducted from a Bullard church. During the latest hearing, Judge Jack Skeen heard from a DPS forensic expert. She said the first two dozen DNA samples submitted for trace analysis have been completed. The results should be ready in 60 days. The next pretrial hearing is September 13th. At a scheduled hearing on October 18th, it will be decided if more DNA tests are needed. The trial is now set to be held next March.

FRANKSTON – One person has been killed and one injured in a two vehicle accident in Anderson County. Killed was 76 year old Glenda Jo Bain of Frankston. Treated and released from a Tyler hospital was 72 year old James William Moore of Frankston. The Departmnet of Public Safety says Bain was traveling on Farm Road 318. As she crossed State Highway 155, her car was hit by Moore’s pickup. Bain was flown to UT Health-Tyler, where she later died. The accident happened shortly after 8:45 Thursday morning, just over 3 miles south of Frankston. The accident remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – A Longview burglary suspect is free on bond. Lorenzo Ta’rell Lloyd-Wallace, 17, of Arp was arrested, along with two juveniles, earlier this week. A Jordan Valley Road resident came home to find four persons in her home. They ran from the house, but police say they were able to find three of them. The 4th was later identified. Besides burglary of a habitation, Lloyd-Wallace was also charged with evading arrest. He is currently free on bonds totaling $22,000.