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NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man is in custody on child endangerment charges. Arrested was Dennis Wade Broussard, 29. KETK reports Child Protective Services told authorities about a complaint of a man forcing a child to smoke synthetic marijuana. After interviewing numerous witnesses, a warrant was issued for Broussard’s arrest. He was arrested at his home Friday evening.

TYLER — Endocrinologist Christina Bratcher, MD, has joined UT Health Northeast. As an endocrinologist, she specializes in diagnosing and treating hormone imbalances that occur in diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and thyroid disorders. Before coming to Tyler, Dr. Bratcher was a diabetes specialist at Diabetes America in Plano, where she had also served as director of clinical research. She has been an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Continue reading New Doctor at UT Health Northeast

TYLER — The investigation is continuing today into a shooting at a Tyler motel that has left one person dead. Police received a call to the American Inn Motel, 1800 West Erwin just before 7:00 Saturday morning. They found a man dead inside room 218. The initial report was it appeared as if he had been shot once. According to Sgt. Robert Phillips, no identification is being released pending positive ID of the victim and next of kin notification. Since they are in the early stage of the investigation, additional information will be released when available.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s office has released the autopsy report in the death of county jail inmate Bobby Joe Madewell Jr. The 51 year old Madewell died at Good Shepherd Medical Center in March. He was rushed to the hospital after became unconscious after jailers used a stun gun to subdue him. The autopsy report said Madewell died of excited delirium and restraint. The report also said he suffered from vascular disease and had other health issues.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been taken into custody after authorities say he assaulted his wife from the roof of their car as it drove to Longview from Lakport. Charles Taylor Carroll, 23, was arrested by Gregg County sheriff’s deputies at Zippy J’s in the 4800 block of Estes Parkway. He is being held under suspicion of assault family violence with a previous conviction. His bond was set at $25,000.

HENDERSON — The boil water notice for Henderson has been lifted. The order was issued Thursday after construction ruptured a water mail. The boil water notice was lifted around 4:15 Friday afternoon. It was lifted after a Kilgore lab reported it found no harmful bacteria in the water.

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says it has resolved some phone problems that developed Friday. Officials say Verizon went to work on the issue and got everything back up to speed. KETK reports 911 lines continued working the entire time, and a backup number was provided for non-life-threatening situations.

TYLER — A driver crashed her car into a house in Tyler and officials are still trying to determine what caused the woman to veer off the road. The accident happened at the corner of Richmond Road and Timberwilde around 2:00 Friday afternoon.There were reportedly no injuries involved.

TYLER — According to TxTag, this goes back to December of 2012. Disabled veterans, and those who were awarded the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor, are supposed to be allowed to ride on toll roads for free. But some vets got bills in the mail for traveling on Toll 49 that would prove otherwise. “All the vets that were traveling have gotten a bill,” said retired veteran Billy Hearon. “Disabled vets get to ride these toll ways for free, so I took advantage of it and then I got this bill in the mail.” Continue reading Officials Work on Free Pass for Veterans on Toll 49

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texan is behind bars after a bizarre crash. KETK reports it happened last weekend in Nacogdoches County along Farm Road 1878 and County Road 228. State troopers say Shari Kamile Brandon tried drowning her daughter in a creek after a crashing into a motorcyclist. After the crash, Brandon grabbed her daughter from the car and jumped into a nearby creek. Troopers say while Brandon and her daughter were in the creek, she tried drowning her daughter. The girl says she played dead and survived. Brandon’s charged with attempted capital murder.

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about Tyler’s business environment and the economy. Residents may provide input in two ways:

· By going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YFSXZBB or http://www.Tyler1st.com to complete an online survey. You may also use the second link to get more information on Tyler 1st or to view the original Tyler 21 plan.

· By attending a Public Open House from 5:30 to 7:00pm on June 27 at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St. Continue reading City Seeking Input on Business and Economy

HENDERSON — Henderson residents are being warned to boil their water before consuming it. That’s the word from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The boil water notice is for everyone south and west of highway 79 north and Highway 64. The problem stems from construction that ruptured a water main. Continue reading Boil Water Order for Henderson

LOVELADY (AP) — Investigators say a fiery head-on traffic accident in East Texas has left three people dead. The Department of Public Safety says positive identification is pending on two victims of the accident just south of Lovelady. Trooper Heith White identified the third victim of yesterday morning’s crash as Deirdre Lester, 59, of Lovelady.

PALESTINE — The Palestine city manager is heading to Wills Point where he will be city manager. Mike Ohrt announced yesterday that he will stay on the job through July 12. Ohrt has been with the city for 10 years. He was named interim city manager in October, 2010. The word “interim” was dropped from the title in February 2011.

TEXARKANA (AP) — The Texas man whose wife is accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an attempt to frame him says the experience has been “like a really bad dream.” Nathan Richardson of New Boston told the Texarkana Gazette that he’s now questioning “everything” about his pregnant wife, even the paternity of the child she’s carrying.

Shannon Richardson was arrested last Friday and charged with mailing a threatening communication to the president. Authorities allege she was trying to make it appear the letters were sent by her husband. Nathan Richardson, a 33-year-old Army veteran, filed for divorce last Thursday. He told the Gazette he contemplated divorce last year but, until a few weeks ago, thought the couple had patched things up.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of Tracy Todd Smith, 45, who is a registered sex offender in Tyler. Smith appeared Wednesday in Judge Kerry Russell’s court for a hearing on a 2nd degree felony charge, “fail to comply with sex offender registration life/annually.” Court proceedings ended with testimony during the morning session. When court convened for the afternoon session, Smith failed to return to court, according to officials. The jury convicted Smith of the offense, and Russell issued a bond forfeiture warrant on Smith.

Anyone with information about this or any felony may contact Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

ARP — An Overton woman died in a one-vehicle crash that occurred five miles west of Arp, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officials say Tanya Marie Ratcliff, 22, was driving east on Texas 64 shortly before 10:15 Wednesday night when her car ran off the road and overturned. Ratcliff was pronounced dead at the scene.

DALLAS — A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the “Loan Ranger Bandit.” He’s believed responsible for ten bank robberies in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, dating to January 2009, including two in Tyler. The FBI and local police in those three states are involved in the hunt. During the robberies, the armed man, who does not attempt to disguise his face, displayed a note demanding 20s, 50s and 100s and received an undisclosed amount of money. To date, no one has been physically harmed. Continue reading $10,000 Reward Announced for Capture of “Loan Ranger Bandit”

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was fined and jailed Wednesday on animal cruelty charges in connection with the seizure last week of an emaciated horse found wandering near Eastman Road. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Brian Fite appeared before Judge Arthur Fort during a hearing to decide whether Fite’s paint stallion would remain at Safe Haven Equine Rescue or be returned to its owner. Continue reading Man Fined, Jailed on Animal Cruelty Charges

EAST TEXAS — Expect the opposition to grow this summer to plans to build the Keystone XL Pipeline through East Texas. Several environmental groups say more than 62,000 people have volunteered to be arrested if necessary, in what activist Becky Bond calls the biggest burst of civil disobedience ever to drive home opposition to the pipeline. Bond says, “To be clear, our goal is not to get arrested; our goal is to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline by showing enough opposition to Keystone XL that President Obama will reject it.” Actress Darryl Hannah has already been arrested for blocking construction equipment in East Texas. Bond says the President has to get the message that the pipeline will contribute to global warming.

HAZLEHURST, MISS. (AP) – Long-missing suspect Linda Gale Reed will be arraigned Friday in Mississippi in an East Texas-linked case. She’ll go before Copiah County Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard on three counts of embezzlement. Reed was served with an indictment June 7 at the county jail. The court hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in Hazlehurst. The 65-year-old Reed was reported missing in April of 2012. Her status changed from missing to wanted for embezzlement on October 15, 2012. Authorities say Reed allegedly embezzled $20,000 from her Mississippi employer, Moore’s Fabrications. She had worked for the company since 1999. They say an accountant found the money missing from petty cash fund. Her family searched for her for nearly five months before she was found in Longview, Texas. She was working as a bookkeeper under her own name.

TYLER — 26-year-old Marcus Allen Edmiston of Smith County has been arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. He’s accused of breaking into a home off south FM 756 in the early morning hours of June 11 and sexually assaulting a minor female. Edmiston was taken into custody at approximately 8:00 Wednesday evening subsequent to an arrest warrant being issued by State District Judge Christi Kennedy. Judge Kennedy has set bond on Edmiston at $750,000 on the charge of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault. Additional charges may be filed pending the ongoing investigation. Edmiston remains in custody at the Smith County Jail at this time. Continue reading Man Charged in Smith County Burglary and Sex Assault

EAST TEXAS — Accidents in Wood and Rusk Counties this week left two persons dead and two injured. In Wood County, a crash involving a SUV and an 18-wheeler has killed Addison Dugan, 9, of Grand Saline. She was in the SUV driven by her mother, Amie Dugan. The Department of Public Safety reports the woman failed to yield the right of way and was hit by the truck. The mother and truck driver were both hospitalized with injuries. The accident happened shortly before 12:15 Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 779. Continue reading Two Killed in Wood, Rusk County Wrecks

LONGVIEW — Longview police are asking the public to help them identify a suspect in a store theft. On April 5th, the man took merchandise from the Sears store in the Longview Mall. He was described as a white male tan overalls, boots and a white T-shirt. If you have any information, contact the Longview Police Department or the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

BOWIE COUNTY — A man missing in Bowie County since June 4th, has been found dead. Joseph Edward Gaspard, 48, of Bowie County, was found dead yesterday morning in a wooded area between County Road 4313 and Highway 259. His vehicle was found last Saturday off of County Road 4313. Authorities say that foul play is not suspected at this time.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council is looking forward to future development. KETK reports that during today’s meeting, the council will consider adopting a comprehensive plan that will unify and update future projects into one direction. If it’s passed, a Dallas-based firm will help the city make the unified plan a reality. The council gathers this afternoon at 5:30.

TYLER — A Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Kym David Pearce, 52, pleaded guilty on February 8, to possession of a stolen firearm. Pearce was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. According to federal prosecutors, on May 20, 2012, a federal warrant was executed for Pearce’s arrest at his residence on Virgie Street in Longview. As Pearce was being arrested, Gregg County CODE agents observed several firearms in the residence. A search of the residence resulted in the discovery of eight firearms and several rounds of ammunition. Pearce admitted that he knew at least one of the firearms in his residence was stolen.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Sipriano Relles, 32, pleaded guilty on September 4, 2012, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 140 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. The court also imposed a $2,000 forfeiture judgment against Relles. Federal prosecutor say on February 20, 2012, Relles was found in possession of approximately 66.9 grams of actual methamphetamine, which he intended to deliver to others in and around the East Texas area.

TYLER – A 37-year-old Mineola woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Denise Marie Meeks pleaded guilty on February 6 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. She was sentenced yesterday in Tyler to 12 years behind bars by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. The court also imposed a $2,000 forfeiture judgment against Meeks. According to officials, up until July 19, 2012, Meeks possessed and distributed more than 20 grams of methamphetamine in East Texas. She also admitted that she carried a firearm during, and in relation to, her drug trafficking activities.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a tax abatement agreement with Hood Flexible Packaging Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of heavy duty plastic shipping sacks. The agreement allows for a three-year 100 percent abatement for a $12 million investment that could result in 12 to 15 new jobs in Tyler. Continue reading Tyler City Council Approves Tax Abatement