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TYLER – The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the annexation of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Formerly the area was just north of city limits in Smith County. According to KETK, the annexation covers nearly 600 acres of property.

The process of annexing the campus began in January. “As illustrated in the Industry Growth Initiative plan, the higher education and Healthcare industries are critical components of Tyler’s local economy,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass at that time. “Healthcare provides for more than 25,000 jobs in our region and has an economic impact estimated at $3.1 billion. By annexing the UTHSCT into Tyler city limits, we will be taking an important step in continuing to support and grow these industries.”

The voluntary annexation of the campus was initiated by representatives of UTHSCT and is allowed under the State Annexation Law in the Texas Local Government Code. “We are pleased to see this process move forward,” said UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk Calhoun in January. “We look forward to becoming a part of Tyler not only in name, but as a partner in our city’s future growth and development.”

“This is a major step forward in the growth of our City,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “Healthcare education is so important to maintaining our high levels of medical care in East Texas and equally as valuable in providing jobs.”

LINDALE — Criminals in East Texas seem to be targeting homeowners more and more these days, and because of it, according to KETK, more and more East Texans are taking matters into their own hands. This week, one homeowner did just that, taking the man who allegedly burglarized his car on a car chase through Smith County.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hassan Snoubar of Lindale was having dinner with his family when his sister starting screaming from the driveway that someone snatched her purse right before her eyes. So Snoubar took off. He eventually caught up with the alleged thief parked on the side of Farm Road 849. That’s when authorities say the suspect put his car in reverse and fled. Snoubar followed while his sister was calling 911 from home. The chase finally ended with a crash on County Road 427. The driver was taken into custody. He’s identified as Reginald D. Whitmill, 33, of Tyler.

Authorities on scene believe Whitmill actually burglarized a vehicle at another home earlier in the day. Victor Thomas, the owner of that vehicle, plays percussion at his church in Lindale, so he had a Bible in his bag with his contact information written in it. That’s how authorities were able to return his possessions to him Tuesday afternoon. Thomas says he’s had run-ins with thieves before, he even held one at gunpoint until the police arrived.

TYLER – A 35-year-old Tyler woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations and money laundering. Jennifer Anderson pleaded guilty on Octpber 27, 2011, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to launder money. She was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to 188 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Anderson was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of $10,000.

According to federal authorities, up until March 7, 2011, Anderson and co-defendants possessed more than 15 kilograms of cocaine, which they distributed in the Smith County area. Anderson also assisted in collecting the illegal proceeds from the sale of cocaine, using bank accounts to deposit the illegal proceeds and transferring funds to pay for the purchase and distribution of cocaine. Anderson also admitted to working with others with the intent to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the illegal proceeds. Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011, along with four co-defendants.

Anderson’s husband, Gary Anderson, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on Mar. 5, 2012. Their three co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

TYLER — More than 24 hours after being taken off life support, a Lufkin teenager whose organs were to have been donated continues to breathe on his own in a Tyler hospital. The Lufkin Daily News reports that following a Sunday morning wreck on FM 1194, Jaron Parrish, 19, was flown to East Texas Medical Center-Tyler, where he remained on life support until Tuesday morning. After being told by doctors that Parrish was brain-dead, his family made the decision to take him off life support, a family member said. Since that time, Parrish has defied the odds and his prognosis, continuing to breathe on his own. You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com to read more.

LUFKIN (AP/Staff) — Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday morning in the Lufkin trial of Kimberly Clark Saenz. A judge Tuesday recessed the capital murder trial of the nurse accused in the deaths of five dialysis patients. State District Judge Barry Bryan scheduled the Thursday arguments after rebuttal testimony from a prosecution witness Tuesday morning.

Saenz, who declined to testify in her own defense, is charged with one capital murder count that accuses her of killing as many as five patients. She’s also charged with five counts of aggravated assault for injuries to five other patients. Investigators have said bleach was injected into dialysis tubes.

LUFKIN – A teen injured in an Angelina County accident has died in a Tyler hospital from his injuries. The Department of Public Safety reports Jaron Parrish, 19, of Lufkin, died yesterday at East Texas Medical Center. He was a passenger in a car that slammed into a tree Sunday morning on Farm Road 1194 near Farm Road 3150. The DPS report said Parish was not wearing his seat belt. The car’s driver and two other passengers were injured in the crash. Their injuries were described as non life threatening.

TYLER – A Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. Timothy Michael Callahan pleaded guilty last November to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced in Tyler federal court yesterday to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to federal prosecutors, on November 2, 2010, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Callahan’s residence. During the investigation, Callahan admitted to using a peer-to-peer file sharing network, Gigatribe, to download and view child pornography. A forensic analysis of Callahan’s computer revealed approximately 477 images of child pornography, some depicting children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Callahan has previously been convicted of sexual assault n Gregg County.

EAST TEXAS – Tuesday was a busy day in East Texas for child support arrests. Sheriff Maxey Cerliano arrested six Gregg County parents who allegedly violated court orders requiring them to pay child support. The sweep was conducted in conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, police departments from Longview and Kilgore participated in the countywide effort. According to a news release from the attorney general’s office, Child Support Division investigators aided the sheriff by providing logistical assistance to locate missing parents.

“Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Attorney General Greg Abbott said. “By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong. We are grateful to Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, Longview Police Chief Don Dingler and Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter for their unfailing commitment to Texas children.”

Child support investigators held concurrent roundups in Orange and Van Zandt counties. Van Zandt County arrest teams served eleven arrest warrants. Six other warrants were served there prior to the early morning roundup for a total of seventeen arrests. According to Van Zandt County authorities, five other persons are still at large and were not located. Officials say the total delinquent child support payments from these persons total over $810,000.

According to the attorney general’s office, parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments – but are not subject to warrants for their arrest – should immediately contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 to make payment arrangements.

TYLER — A former Smith County jailer was arrested last week and later indicted for allegedly having sex with a female inmate. According to KETK, on Friday, officials charged Lakerry Devonerich Bowie, 27, with violating civil rights of a person in custody. Investigators first learned of the accusations involving Bowie and the inmate last September. When authorities questioned him about the alleged incident, Bowie allegedly did not cooperate and was fired. He was employed by Smith County for two years. However, the inmate has confessed to consensual sex, but there is no such thing as consensual sex between law enforcement and an inmate, according to Sheriff J.B. Smith. The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the matter.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is rescinding Stage Two mandatory water restrictions that were put in place in December 2011 and reinstituting Stage One voluntary restrictions. According to Tyler Water Utilities Managing Director Greg Morgan, precipitation that the city’s received in recent weeks, and that which is forecast in the next week, has led the city to shift from mandatory restrictions back to voluntary restrictions. Morgan adds, “The long term forecast for rain in the upcoming summer is uncertain. Therefore, we will monitor lake levels closely and determine if we are able to remain at the Step One restrictions moving into the warmer months.” Lake Tyler is currently 2.5 feet below spillway levels and Lake Palestine is full.

Voluntary Step One modified drought measures call for residents to voluntarily conserve water and limit irrigation of landscaped areas to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8) or Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9). Additionally, irrigation should be done between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The City originally implemented Stage One drought measures in early October. Then on Dec. 13, Stage Two drought measures were implemented. “Although the restrictions are not mandatory at this time, we encourage our residents to be prudent in their use of this valuable natural resource,” added Morgan. “Residents are urged to check for leaking faucets and toilets, ensure sprinkler systems are adjusted to not be watering pavement, and to irrigate only when necessary.”

TYLER — A man shot by a Tyler homeowner has died. Jason Raychard Williams, 27, died shortly after 1:45 Tuesday afternoon. Williams, of Tyler, was shot by a homeowner during an incident last week. He had been in ICU at East Texas Medical Center.

The shooting happened just before 9:45 last Wednesday night. Police received a 911 call of shots fired at 1807 North Ross. According to officials, a neighbor living across the street from the home owner was taking out trash when he observed a suspicious person lurking around the outside of the residence. The homeowner, identified as Terry Traylor, 33, was contacted by telephone about the person his neighbor saw. Traylor reportedly walked outside armed with a handgun while on the telephone with the neighbor.

Police say he was confronted by Williams (pictured), who reportedly told Traylor not to move or he would kill him. Police say Williams was also armed with a handgun. Traylor allegedly shot Williams one time striking his handgun with the round ricocheting into the suspect’s head. No arrests have been made. Police say the case will now be turned over the district attorney and probably presented to a grand jury.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Zwolle, Louisiana, man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Camera Neal Holden, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to information presented in court, up until September 30, 2011, Holden conspired with others to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in East Texas and elsewhere. Holden was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 5, 2011. Holden faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Firefighters respond to a vehicle fire in Western Smith County Monday night. According to KETK, the blaze sparked around 9:30 on the 2500 block of Thompson Lane. The driver of a pickup noticed smoke coming from under the hood. He managed to pull the truck over before it was engulfed in flames.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials say an alleged mother-daughter bank robbery team arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Monday may be the two who robbed the Citizens National Bank in Henderson February 28. According to KETK, authorities say the mother and daughter have been involved in at least four robberies, all in similar fashion. They are identified by the Gulfport Police Department as Evie Mearlene Herrin, 57, pictured here, and Amelia Darci Crew, 30, both of Cleveland, Texas. They’re being held in a Mississippi jail, each on a $200,000 bond. Tyler FBI agents and local agencies are working with the Gulfport FBI office on the case.

TYLER — The grandparents of an injured child have been arrested after an investigation. Tyler Police arrested Kenneth Neal Walker, 54, and Shelley Walker, 60, both of Tyler, after their granddaughter, 2-year-old Bridget Walker, was treated for severe burns to her feet.

The incident happened February 28th at their home on Aberdeen. Investigators said the girl received the burns when she was placed in a bath tub with scalding hot water. Both grandparents were home at the time. Bridget was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for treatment and is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

The Walker’s were booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of injury to a child. Bond was set at $250,000 each.

ATHENS – A one vehicle accident in Henderson County has killed a teenager. Micky Lee Ellis, a senior at Brownsboro High School, was dead at the scene Monday morning. The crash occurred on County Road 4802, southeast of Athens. The Department of Public Safety reports Ellis’ car left the road on a curve and hit a tree.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department has opened an investigation into the injury of a one-year-old girl. The girl was taken to a Houston hospital from a Nacogdoches hospital March 22. A hospital worker initially thought the injury was caused by a seizure which led to the head injury. According to KETK, the child was unresponsive when she was initially taken to the Nacogdoches hospital.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man was killed Saturday when the four-wheeler he was driving rolled off an embankment in Gregg County. Charles Payne, 50, had been riding with a friend when the wreck occurred about 9:00 Saturday night, Gregg County Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Kirk Haddix said. According to the Longview News-Journal, the wreck happened outside Rabbit Creek Offroad Park between Kilgore and Longview. Haddix said Payne “went over a small embankment, went off the four-wheeler and it rolled on top of him.”

JACKSONVILLE – A joint city and federal investigation has resulted in the arrest of some members of a Jacksonville gang. Five members of the South Side street gang have been taken into custody for selling guns and drugs. Authorities say there could be other arrests down the road. The five, who are currently in custody of U.S. Marshals, will be prosecuted on the federal level.

LUFKIN — An early Saturday morning fire at a south Lufkin apartment complex sent one person to a local hospital. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, firefighters received the call around 5 a.m. Saturday of a fully involved apartment building fire at the Silvercreek Apartment complex on South First Street. You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com to read more.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials say John Tyler High School basketball coach Tony Pinson has resigned for personal reasons. According to a news release, “There is no longer an ongoing investigation. Tyler ISD will immediately begin the process of filling John Tyler High School’s head basketball coach position.” Word of an investigation involving Pinson surfaced in February, when it was reported by KETK. The TV station said Pinson had been placed on administrative leave. When the story was first reported, Pinson told KTBB, “Whatever rumors are out there aren’t true.” He did confirm that he was hospitalized for 5 days with congestive heart failure and was recovering at home under strict doctor care and guidelines.

Tyler ISD released this statement in February: “During the course of the investigation, the district cannot discuss details; however, we do want to ensure parents and the community that the investigation does not involve Tyler ISD students.” Assistant coach Cedeno Clark took over for Pinson while the school district conducted its investigation.

PALESTINE — Union Pacific officials are clarifying an incident involving a train that left a Palestine rail yard Sunday evening. They say a crew and trained engineer were on board the train when it malfunctioned. The officials tell KETK that the crew and engineer were at the yard on Spring Street moving railcars around the station. Just before 9:00 p.m., according to UP, the brakes malfunctioned, and the train began to roll northbound, parallel to Hwy. 79. The officials say the train continued to roll until it reached an uphill stretch of track about 5-7 miles from the station. That’s where the officials say the train came to a rest.

A spokesperson for Union Pacific says there was a lot of misinformation from various departments. She confirms that all crossing guards did go down, and traffic was alerted to the approaching train by an engineer on board blowing the horn. According to UP, local officials were notified immediately to put the safety measures in place, and nobody was injured.

LUFKIN — The capital murder trial of former nurse Kimberly Saenz has resumed in Lufkin. In testimony Friday, former DaVita Dialysis regional manager Amy Clinton denied making a threatening statement during an April 2008 meeting. According to the Lufkin Daily News, Clinton claimed she did not say, “I will not go down for this. I will take someone with me” in the 2008 staff meeting, as a former DaVita nurse testified Thursday. Clinton was alleged to have made the statement a week after the first two of five patient deaths. Saenz is now charged with their murders, accused of injecting them with bleach. You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com for more on this story.

SMITH COUNTY — A two vehicle wreck near Interstate Highway 20 and Smith County Road 426 causes one vehicle to be flipped onto its side. The incident happened Sunday evening off County Road 426, also known as Willow Branch Road, near the Van Zandt County line. DPS officials tell KETK that three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries as a result of the crash.

TYLER — An East Texas church shows its support Sunday for Florida teen Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed in February by a neighborhood watch captain. The congregation at Kingdom Family Church in Tyler wore hooded sweatshirts during its Sunday service. Senior Pastor Reginald Shankle told KETK the message was about unconditional love for all genders and races.

GREGG COUNTY — One man is dead one woman injured after a motorcycle wreck in Gregg County. It happened around 10:15 Saturday night on Highway 135 near County Road 3585. According to the DPS report, Rickey Haskell Loftis, 58, Gladewater, was pronounced dead at the scene. Shelley Henderson, 44, Gladewater, is in critical condition with broken bones and lacerations. Officials said the motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and wrecked.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Texas Atheist who threatened a lawsuit if the county didn’t remove a nativity scene from the courthouse lawn is reportedly “flabbergasted” that Christians have offered to help him pay his bills. Christians in Henderson County have raised around $400 to help Patrick Greene, an Atheist who is at risk of going blind in one eye due to a detached retina. The Nativity Scene had been a source of controversy since it was erected last December. Greene ended up dropping his lawsuit when doctors told him about his eye condition. He had to retire from his job driving a taxi and was facing mounting medical bills. When they gave Greene the check, they told him they wanted to do what real Christians are supposed to do – love you – and they wanted to help. Greene plans on writing a book titled “The Real Christians of Henderson County.”

GARRISON – A powered parachute, which is a small personal aircraft has crashed in Nacogdoches County, killing the pilot. He is identified as Roby Spencer Jernigan, 66, of Garrison. The sheriff’s department reports shortly after takeoff, the aircraft was forced into some trees off Farm Road 95. The pilot fell to the ground. He was rushed to a Nacogdoches hospital where he later died.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on US 175 between LaRue and Poynor, followed the same work on State Highway 31 near West Loop 7 in Athens. Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of resurfacing work on Farm Road 3079 between Farm Road 314 south of Brownsboro and Farm Road 315 south of Chandler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to complete pavement-repair operations on Farm Road 95 between Farm Road 315 and U.S. Highway 84 east of Mount Enterprise, then move to begin approximately two weeks of the same work on Farm Road 1716 between State Highway 43 near Tatum and Farm Road 782. The work on Farm Road 1716 is being done in advance of a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway early in the week, followed by applying a seal coat in the same location later in the week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 294 west of Elkhart between Farm Road 322 and Farm Road 1990, and on U.S. Highway 79 near Westwood High School. Datytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 3056 between U.S. Highway 80 east of Mineola and Farm Road 778. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application this summer. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 859 in Edgewood between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 1395, on Farm Road 1395 north of Edgewood, and on Farm Road 47 south of Interstate Highway 20. Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT laboratory technicians are scheduled to perform pavement-coring operations on State Highway 64 between Farm Road 314 north of Edom and Farm Road 858 in Ben Wheeler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — Tyler’s Firefighter of the Year is Deputy Fire Marshal James Suggs. That honor and numerous others were handed out as the Tyler Fire Department held its 21st Annual Awards Banquet Saturday at the Rose Garden center. Among the other awards:

Outstanding District Award- District 1 C-Shift, led by District Chief Ray Hukill

Leadership Awards:
o District Chief Ray Hukill
o Captain George Fletcher
o Captain David Admire, Jr.

Life Saving Awards:
o Driver/Engineer Greg Allen
o Captain Dexter Cook
o Driver/Engineer John Rains
o Firefighter Jason Williams
o Firefighter Heath Aaron
o Captain Mike Nipp
o Driver/Engineer Casey Cabaniss
o Firefighter Matt Ford
o Aaron Dickson
o Ren Kuykendall