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TYLER — Hundreds turn out for Tyler’s annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The activities began on the downtown square, continuing with a march down Broadway and an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Guest speaker Fred McClure told KTBB that Dr. King’s message of freedom “also includes a message of responsibility and the importance of commitment, and to being able to have an impact on the societies in which we live.” McClure heads up the George H.W. Bush Library foundation at Texas A&M. He added that the responsibility of keeping King’s dream alive goes “back to the very depths of our communities,” including schools and houses of worship. “And there,” he said, “I think we have the opportunity to impact and influence the lives of generations yet unborn.”

LONGVIEW — Longview’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration featured a parade from Broughton Recreation Center to Mt. Olive Baptist Church. A Memorial Service followed at noon at the church, with guest speaker Reverend J.H. Creal Sr. Under the theme “The Dream, From the Community to the World,” Longview held several events in Dr. King’s honor. Monday’s activities began with the Table of Brotherhood Breakfast at Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steakhouse.

TYLER — Investigators are looking into the cause of a major Tyler house fire Monday afternoon that took the life of a dog. Firefighters were able to save the house from destruction, but not before extensive fire and smoke damage was done. KETK reports dispatchers received a call for help around 1 p.m. on the 800 block of David Street in south Tyler. One man was home when the fire broke out, but he was unable to extinguish the flames and was forced out by heavy smoke, according to Deputy Fire Marshal Tony Gumber. Besides the dog’s death, there were no injuries.

SMITH COUNTY — A Department of Public Safety trooper was involved in a minor crash Monday afternoon. According to DPS officials, the officer wrecked shortly after noon at FM 2015 and I-20. KETK reports the trooper was turning around on FM 2015 when the front end of his vehicle clipped a truck. There was minor damage to the vehicles, but there were no injuries. Authorities say the trooper had been searching the area for a motorcyclist who had been speeding.

TYLER — Tyler police are on the hunt for whoever robbed two local doughnut shops. On Monday at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers responded to Tyler Donut at 508 W. Front St. in reference to an aggravated robbery. Upon arrival officers contacted an employee who advised that a black male entered the store and produced a handgun demanding the money. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands, and the suspect fled the scene southbound from the store. The suspect is described as approximately 5”10, 200 lbs., wearing dark clothing. Investigation into this case continues.

At approximately 7:30 a.m., officers responded to Country Donuts at 215 N. Beckham in reference to a theft. Upon arrival officers contacted an employee who advised that a black male entered the store and grabbed the cash register and ran out of the store with it. Customers chased the suspect, causing him to drop the cash register, but he was able to enter a vehicle and flee the scene. The suspect is described as approximately 5’7” to 5’10” , 195 lbs., wearing a gray hoodie. The suspect left the scene in a tan/cream vehicle. This case is also still under investigation. At this time it is unknown if the two cases are connected.

TYLER — Hundreds turn out for Tyler’s annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The activities began on the downtown square, continuing with a march down Broadway and an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Guest speaker Fred McClure told KTBB that Dr. King’s message of freedom “also includes a message of responsibility and the importance of commitment, and to being able to have an impact on the societies in which we live.” McClure heads up the George H.W. Bush Library foundation at Texas A&M. He added that the responsibility of keeping King’s dream alive goes “back to the very depths of our communities,” including schools and houses of worship. “And there,” he said, “I think we have the opportunity to impact and influence the lives of generations yet unborn.”

UPSHUR COUNTY — One man is critically injured in a one-vehicle rollover accident in Upshur County Sunday night. Department of Public Safety officials said said it happened around 9:20 on Highway 271. The single vehicle was traveling north when the driver reportedly hit the brakes, causing the car to flip at least once. The 26-year-old male passenger was air lifted to a Tyler hospital. The driver was taken by ambulance with possible non life-threatening injuries. The man was not wearing a seat belt.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A Nacogdoches County court-at-law judge ruled Friday that his court does not have legal jurisdiction over the dispute between landowner Michael Bishop and TransCanada. Bishop filed suit against TransCanada arguing he was coerced into signing an easement agreement which allowed the construction of the TransCanada pipeline across his property. According to the Longview News-Journal, Bishop accepted payment of $70,000 for the easement.

Then he filed suit saying the easement was invalid because he signed it under duress and that TransCanada committed fraud by not divulging the pipeline will transport diluted bitumen. Bishop asked Judge Jack Sinz to rule on whether diluted bitumen is crude oil — an issue Sinz said his court did not have jurisdiction over. Bishop said he would appeal the decision.

TransCanada spokesman David Dodson said, “As far as we are concerned, the issue is over. We feel we are done. We had agreements with him. We have a writ of possession. But we are prepared to go to district court if necessary.”

TYLER — Gun rights advocates across America headed out to local gun shops and gun shows to support the first ever national gun appreciation day. The Lone star gun show in Tyler had an estimated 4,000 people show up according to a worker from the Harvey Convention Center. According to KETK, a sea of supporters showed up on Saturday to get inside. Some waited hours just to get inside. With rifles and AR’s by their sides people were showing their support by showing off their firearms, waving flags, and speaking up about why they came.

January 19th was declared National Gun Appreciation day, but for some East Texans, only one day to appreciate their fire arms isn’t enough.

LUFKIN (AP) — Officials say a Lufkin man was arrested after walking into the sheriff’s office lobby in Angelina County with a gun and screaming at dispatchers. 50-year-old Kester Lyn Havard was arrested Saturday night and remained in Angelina County jail Sunday on a terroristic threat charge. Bond was set at $100,000. Online jail records did not list an attorney for him. Bart Riley, the sheriff’s office patrol supervisor, told The Lufkin Daily News that the man told them he was there to get a reaction out of the deputies because of a case involving a woman he claimed officials were doing nothing about. Riley says “the things he was saying didn’t even make sense.” Riley says paramedics examined Havard, who didn’t appear to be drunk or have a medical issue.

KILGORE — A driver accused of hitting two Good Samaritans in the aftermath of a wreck Friday on Texas 31 was treated for minor cuts, the Department of Public Safety said Sunday. Luis Antonio Gauna, 18, of Longview was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. A 15-year-old Longview girl who was riding with Gauna also was taken to Good Shepherd with minor injuries. According to the Longview News-Journal, off-duty medical personnel and others who happened on the wreck site west of FM 2767 and the Country Tavern were attending to the two men who were hit as emergency service vehicles arrived, a witness said.

Dulis Rolando Cervantes, 28, and Jason David Albright, 33, both from Tyler, were fatally struck as they attempted to help a driver injured in a wreck that occurred around 6:40 Friday night. According to the DPS report, Albright was pronounced dead at Good Shepherd Medical Center about an hour after the wreck. Cervantes was pronounced dead at the wreck site. DPS officials have not released the identities or conditions of the motorists involved in the original wreck. Gauna reportedly topped a hill and did not see the men assisting the wreck victim.

TYLER — On Saturday, Grassroots America – We the People joined in the National Gun Appreciation Day. The Smith County-based group invited Second Amendment supporters to gather at Lock & Load at 10 a.m. Attendees heard from local elected officials about gun control efforts, were offered a copy of the Constitution, and from there, visited the Lone Star Gun Show at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. The Lock & Load Indoor Shooting Range is at 3408 SSW Loop 323, Tyler (near Sweet Sue’s).

Go to http://gunappreciationday.com/index to learn more.

KILGORE — Two men were killed Friday evening when they were hit on a darkened highway while trying to assist a motorist injured in a wreck that had just occurred. Dulis Rolando Cervantes, 27, and Jason David Albright, 33, both of Tyler were killed, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. It happened along the stretch of highway near the Country Tavern restaurant, which shut down both lanes for about two hours. Authorities said one vehicle rear-ended another in the eastbound lanes of Texas 31 west of its intersection with FM 2767.

According to the Longview News-Journal, the driver of one of the cars was injured when Albright and Cervantes came to her aid. An oncoming car reportedly hit the two men. Cervantes was declared dead at the scene. Albright was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center where he also was declared dead.

DPS officials said at least two other injured people were transported by ambulance from the scene. It was unknown if the driver of the car that hit Albright and Cervantes was injured, or whether any other passengers involved in the original wreck were injured.

KILGORE — Local authorities arrested a Kilgore woman after she was caught in the act of burglarizing a business.According to KETK, on Thursday, two Kilgore police officers responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle at a vacant building on Southport Street. When they arrived at the scene, officers discovered Jennifer Leigh Greenberg, 28, of Kilgore, taking items from inside the building. Greenberg was also caught with methamphetamine, according to the police report. She was taken into custody and booked into the city jail on burglary of building, possession of a controlled substance, possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a report of a burglary. It happened around 11:00 Friday night in the 500 block of Seagle Street. According to authorities, the victim claims she was in her living room when she heard a loud noise inside the house and went to her bedroom and locked the door. The two suspects reportedly forced the door open and ordered the victim to the floor. The victim said the men took her purse, wallet and an undetermined amount of money. Both suspects then fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was not harmed during the incident.

The first suspect was described as a tall, thin black male, wearing a black ski mask, and was carrying a black shotgun. The second suspect was a shorter, heavy set black male, also wearing a black ski mask and was carrying a black handgun. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department.

TYLER — Tyler investigators have identified two more individuals who they say are connected to Wednesday’s aggravated robbery of the Food Fast at 4201 University Blvd. They are identified as Darryl Earl Daniels Jr., 23, and Ashad Rael Coats, 25, both black males from Tyler. The Tyler Police Department has an outstanding warrant for engaging in organized criminal activity (first degree felony) on each suspect. Bond was set at $100,000. Additional charges are pending further investigation. Another suspect, Jaqun Dawson, is still in a local hospital and will also be charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Dawson had suffered a gunshot wound when he was caught.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the two above suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

GREGG COUNTY — Due to the ongoing terminal renovation project at East Texas Regional Airport, the lane nearest the terminal building will be closed for construction, materials storage, and equipment staging beginning Monday. Traffic will be reduced to one lane directly in front of the terminal building. Airport director Roy Miller says the lane closure will be for a minimum of 90 days. For additional information, you can contact Airport Administration at [email protected] or 903-643-3031. Miller also advises that airport administration offices will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reopen at 8.00 a.m. Tuesday.

KILGORE — Local authorities arrested a Kilgore woman after she was allegedly caught in the act of burglarizing a business. KETK reports that two Kilgore police officers responded Thursday to reports of a suspicious vehicle at a vacant building on Southport Street. When they arrived at the scene, officers reportedly discovered Jennifer Leigh Greenberg, 28, of Kilgore, taking items from inside the building. Greenberg was also caught with methamphetamine, according to the police report. She was taken into custody and booked into the city jail on charges of burglary of building, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

KILGORE — Multiple agencies responded to the scene of a major fatal wreck near Kilgore late Friday morning. KETK reports the crash took place at around 11 a.m. in the 3300 block of SH 135 in front of Champion Technology. The victim in the wreck has been identified as Ruben Rios, 20, of Kilgore. Authorities say Rios slammed into a semi that was turning into a business. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Christopher Parrish, 47, of Whitehouse, was not injured. Witnesses say the crash sounded like an explosion.

KILGORE — Kilgore continues to be a haven for manufacturing jobs in East Texas. Economic development staffers tell KETK commercial property in Kilgore is worth twice as much as residential property. That’s partially due to lack of housing as well as the large number of job opportunities — a benefit to the city, since businesses pay the lion’s share of tax revenue.

GREGG COUNTY — The house fire that killed a 91-year-old Longview man Thursday afternoon was started by an overloaded electrical plug, authorities said Friday. The body of Emmit Brook was found in a front bedroom of the home where he had lived for 30 years, the same room where the fire started. According to the Longview News-Journal, the 68-year-old man, who was asleep in a back bedroom of the house in the 500 block of Idylwood Drive, near South Ward Elementary School, narrowly escaped after being awakened by neighbors. He was treated at Good Shepherd Medical Center for second-degree burns on his face and hands, Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said. Zackary said Brook lived in the house with his daughter and her husband. His daughter was out of town at the time of the fire.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County fire investigators believe they know what started a Thursday night house fire. According to KETK, Chapel Hill, Whitehouse and Arp firefighters were called to the 14,000 block of Texas Highway 64. Details are limited but fire investigators said it was started by an overheated dryer.

TYLER (AP) — Prosecutors have finished presenting their case against a retired East Texas dentist in the shooting death of his wife of 26 years. The state rested Thursday night in the murder trial of Bobby Ray Nichols, 76, in the fatal shooting of Rosalind Nichols, 71. Nichols previously admitted to shooting his wife on the night of June 29, 2012, after a heated argument at their Tyler home. The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its case for Nichols to the Smith County jury Wednesday. If convicted, Nichols could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

UNION GROVE — School trustees in Union Grove have approved letting some teachers and administrators to be armed on campus. The Union Grove school board enacted a policy Thursday night to allow select, licensed and trained teachers and administrators to have a firearm. The action was finalized last night following a community meeting. The Upshur County school system becomes only the second school district in the state with such a policy.

Superintendent Brian Gray told the Longview News-Journal the district would not disclose which teachers and administrators would be armed. He said decisions are still to be made on how the policy will be put in place, including whether the guns will be carried on the employees’ bodies or locked in an undisclosed location on the campuses.

The school district’s action comes after last month’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Over two dozen children and adults were killed. Union Grove school board Vice President Rusty Dyar said, “The worst thing we can do is nothing.”

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – The FBI in Dallas is seeking information from people who may have had contact with confessed Alaska serial killer Israel Keyes during his Texas travels last year. Keyes, who killed himself in an Anchorage jail cell in December, confessed to murdering at least eight people across the country, including 18-year-old Anchorage barista Samantha Koenig last February. He was arrested in Lufkin in March after using a debit card stolen from Koenig’s boyfriend. The FBI says Keyes is believed to have visited the Post Oak Cemetery in the Glen Rose area between Feb. 12 and Feb. 16. During that same time period, Keyes’ blue rental 2011 Kia Soul may have gotten stuck in a muddy, rural area, possibly near Cleburne. Keyes admitted traveling through Cleburne, Azle and Aledo in February.

TYLER — More good news as famed economist Dr. Ray Perryman sizes things up at Tyler’s 29th Annual Economic Outlook Conference. Perryman says the Tyler area’s doing quite well at the moment. He cites a lot of growth in a number of key industries. According to Perryman, the oil and gas sector’s providing some benefit to the area, and the health care sector is expanding. He says a lot of business services, including manufacturing, are also beginning to expand again.

Perryman says the picture’s also rosy for the state in general. He notes, “Texas seems to be rated as the number one economy in the country on just about every list that comes out these days. It’s created a number of jobs, and at least for the short term, I think the momentum’s in place to keep that going.”

According to Perryman, “The U.S. economy is still growing, but it’s sluggish. It’s having a hard time finding its sea legs, and a lot of that’s because of all the uncertainty that’s out there right now.” Perryman cites “the combination of the budget debt, deficits, and debt ceilings, and all those issues,” as well as what’s going in Europe and the Middle East. Perryman says those factors are making a lot of people nervous, “and when they’re nervous they don’t want to make the final calls and turn loose of a lot of money and buy something new, bring out a new product, hire a bunch of people, that sort of thing.”

SMITH COUNTY — A woman drove into southwestern Smith County business. KETK reports It happened at Kenny’s Machine Shop on the 21000 block of Highway 155 around 4:00 Thursday morning. Smith County DPS say the driver, Stephanie Warren, 30, was northbound on Highway 155 South when she crossed over the southbound lanes and rolled her car into the metal exterior of the building. Warren told authorities that she had fallen asleep or passed out. She was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Warren’s vehicle was the only one involved, and nobody else was injured. DPS officials say they are still investigating the crash, but they say there was evidence that Warren had been drinking. at last report, no arrests or citations had been made.

NACOGDOCHES — A Houston man has been arrested after authorities found three pounds of marijuana and a pistol in his duffel bag. Nacogdoches Sheriff Jason Bridges said that deputies conducted a check at the Kerrville bus station in Nacogdoches around 11:30 Wednesday night. Officials noticed that a man on the bus was acting very nervous and kept moving from seat to seat. When they finally approached him, deputies could smell marijuana coming from his duffel bag. Once they had consent to search the bag, they found the marijuana and pistol. Drevon Jones, 17, Houston, was arrested and booked into the Nacogdoches County jail for possession of marijuana and unlawfully carrying a weapon.

PALESTINE — An East Texas man allegedly shot himself while buying a handgun. According to KETK, Edgar Torres, 31, of Palestine arrived at the Palestine Regional Medical Center at 9:00 Wednesday evening with a gunshot wound on his right side. While talking to Torres, police learned that he had been in the 400 block of Cherokee St. in Green’s Park looking at a gun that he was planning to buy. Torres said that the gun accidentally discharged and hit him in the side. He did not give the name of anyone else who was there at the time of the incident. Police went to Green’s Park to investigate but found no evidence of a shooting in the area. Torres is in stable condition at the hospital, and is expected to recover. The case remains under investigation.

GILMER — A Gladewater man is going to prison after being convicted of two counts of indecency with a child. John Anthony Adams, 51, who is also wanted in Kentucky for bigamy and felony failure to appear charges, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was also fined a total of $20,000. He had been accused of inappropriately touching a 5-year-old he was babysitting in November, 2011. The girl told her mother of the incident when the mother picked up the girl and her younger brother.