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SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire officials are investigating a car fire in the Noonday area around 10:30 Monday night. Authorities say a 2000 Nissan SUV was on fire on County Road 1108, near Farm Road 2661. The vehicle was destroyed. No one was reported to be near the vehicle at the time of the fire. Investigators were able to run a license plate number and contacted the owner of the vehicle. The owner told officials she thought the SUV was in her driveway the whole time.

LONGVIEW — An early morning house fire Monday destroyed a Longview woman’s home and caused the death of several pets, Assistant Longview Fire Chief Curtis Shaw said. The fire started about 6:00 at a home in the 300 block of Berkley Street. The structure had significant damage and has been declared uninhabitable by the fire department, he said. Officials say the fire seems to have been started by a space heater. Apparently they had some clothing and other items too close to the heater and that caused the fire to ignite,” Shaw said.

TYLER — The number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and get into shape. So, according to KETK, gyms around Tyler are packed the first week in January. But some local fitness experts say those numbers dwindle fairly quickly as the month goes on. They say the best way to stick with working out is to not do it alone. People also tend to overestimate what they can do, thus running themselves into the ground. Experts say to set small, attainable goals, and then build on their fitness from there.

QUITMAN — A meth lab explosion in Wood County leads to an arrest and lands a person in a Dallas hospital. Just before 7:45 Saturday evening, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department was notified by ETMC Quitman that a 29-year- old woman had came in with severe burns from what she explained had been a meth lab explosion near her residence. The Wood County Sheriff’s Department later identified her as Shanda Gail Simmons, 29, from Quitman. Simmons had been dropped off by a boyfriend, Russell Allen Love.

Wood County Dispatchers contacted the City of Quitman Police Department to go by ETMC Quitman to get any further details. Quitman Police officer Fortner contacted the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and advised that the meth lab was in the county’s Clear Lakes section. Wood County deputies and Quitman police responded to County Road 2150 in Clear Lakes. On arrival Love was detained for further investigation and Love gave written consent to search the residence to the Wood County deputies, who reportedly found a working “shake and bake” meth lab in the kitchen. According to authorities, Wood County Narcotics Officers responded to the scene for processing and collected numerous items and drug paraphernalia along with two containers which tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 547 grams.

Love, 38, of Quitman was arrested for manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance Penalty group 1 over 400 grams and is being held on a $75,000 bond. Shanda Simmons was transported to Parkland Hospital for treatment. Simmons’s condition is said to be fair at this time. Further investigation is ongoing.

LONGVIEW — Anyone looking to buy the former Longview High School and T.G. Field Auditorium at its $1.2 million appraised market value? According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview ISD is asking for about a 500% markup. The school district has placed several former school buildings up for sale, including T.G. Field and the old high school site near downtown. The district is seeking a $5 million minimum bid on the auditorium and former high school buildings, according to its notice of sale. The three tracts of land are collectively valued at $1.29 million by the Gregg County Appraisal District. The district also is asking for a minimum $75,000 bid on each of two tracts of land at the old Forest Park Middle School building and a minimum $30,000 bid on the former Valley View Elementary School property.

“Appraised value and market value are based on a set of third party theories, and market prices rarely match those appraisals,” district spokesman Adam Holland said. “Downtown is not what it was 25 years ago, when businesses were tripping over each other on their way to Loop 281. Before we set our price, we considered the recent improvements to downtown streets, the plan for a regional transportation hub and the eclectic variety of businesses that have relocated to and expanded in the area.”

The district is accepting sealed, written bids until 2:00pm on February 14 at the Education Service Center on Young Street. According to the Gregg County Appraisal District, the land and building of T.G. Field Auditorium carries a market value of $378,200. The 2.0455 acres of land are valued at $178,200, and the building is valued at $200,000. The old Longview High School land and building have a market value of $732,350. The 3.5788 acres of land are valued at $311,780, and the building is valued at $420,570, according to the appraisal district. Another tract of 0.3843 acres of land with a building is valued at $183,480 ($33,480 for the land and $150,000 for the building).

LONGVIEW — The Longview Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign ended with $107,429 for this Christmas season, a drop of more than $17,000 from its 2010 collections, Capt. Guy Watts, director of the local office, said. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, he said the financial flow has been better during the past couple of weeks. “At the halfway point we were drastically below what we’d been at during the same time in 2010. So we’re grateful to the generosity of the community in helping us to catch up to the point where we at least made it past the $100,000 mark,” Watts said. The Red Kettle program raised $124,500 in 2010. The program is the Salvation Army’s main source of fundraising and is used to provide food, shelter and other assistance throughout the year.

TYLER – A Tyler house has been destroyed by fire. It happened around 8:00 yesterday morning at 1514 Jeb Stuart Drive. KETK reports a woman heard popping noises and her dog barking, and then her smoke alarm went off. The fire originated in the garage in a breaker box. No one was injured.

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama and Congress are starting the new year locked in a politically charged dispute over a proposed 1,700-mile oil pipeline from Canada to Texas. Republicans and some unions say the Keystone XL pipeline, which would run through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County, will create thousands of jobs. Environmentalists fear it could lead to an oil spill disaster. The pre-Christmas agreement between Obama and Congress temporarily extending the payroll tax cut included language compelling Obama to make a speedy decision on whether to build the pipeline. The administration says it would rather say “no” than rush a decision in an election year. The $7 billion pipeline poses a political trap for Obama because it divides his supporters. Environmentalists oppose the project while most labor unions support it. Republicans say Obama’s stance shows he favors environmentalists over jobs.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday for Longview businessman and civic leader Gordon R. Lively Sr. Lively, who was 85, died Friday at his home of natural causes.

An outgoing man who kept quiet about his community contributions, Lively impacted Longview with less fanfare than might be expected from a successful auto dealer. “He did liven up lives for people,” attorney Jerry Harris said, referring as much to Lively’s spirited personality as the charity and community building work his friend quietly accomplished. “Whatever the environment, he added to it.”

Arriving in Longview in 1967 to buy the former Harris Olds Cadillac dealership on Green Street downtown, Lively soon added the GMC truck line to his sales floor. Within a few years, he moved his growing dealership across Marshall Avenue to the relatively uninhabited area, where it continues as a McCann Road mainstay.

Funeral service for Lively will be 2:30 Tuesday afternoon in Rosewood Park cemetery under direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will receive condolence calls from 5:00 to 6:30 today at the Judson Road funeral home.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman is facing multiple charges after being accused of ramming a state trooper’s car and trying to drive away. Arrested after the trooper shot out tires on her car was Eloise Knighton, 25. She has been charged with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest. The incident occurred over the weekend at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Spur 63.

TYLER — In Smith County, TxDOT completed eight projects in 2011 worth a combined $13.5 million, including a pair of repair-and-resurfacing projects on Tyler’s Loop 323. Crews worked nights to repair and resurface Southwest Loop 323 between State Highway 155 and Copeland Road, and across town, put the finishing touches on a project to repair and resurface Northwest Loop 323 and add medians between State Highway 64 West and U.S. Highway 69 North.

“These were both big projects for us,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “Loop 323 is a major artery not only for Tyler, but for all of East Texas. Keeping it in good shape is one of our highest priorities.”

Crews also worked nights to resurface State Highway 110 between the Troup-and-the-Loop intersection on Southeast Loop 323 and State Highway 64 (Fifth Street) near Tyler’s hospital district, and spent the summer resurfacing Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) in North Tyler in a project that also saw planter boxes added at signalized intersections.

“It was a busy summer in Tyler,” Krantz said. “And we got a lot of good work done.” Around the rest of Smith County, crews completed a resurfacing project on Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) south of Tyler, added shoulders to Farm Road 344 through Bullard, added shoulders to Farm Road 14 between North Loop 323 and Interstate Highway 20, and upgraded safety features like guardrail on Farm Road 16 between State Highway 155 in Winona and U.S. Highway 271.

Even with all those projects in the past, plenty of work remains ongoing, including two projects on Toll 49 which, when completed, will connect State Highway 110 in Whitehouse with State Highway 31 west of Tyler by the end of 2012. A third project on Toll 49, which will connect State Highway 31 west of Tyler with Interstate Highway 20 is being built under the direction of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. That project is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Other project under way in Smith County include:
*FM 757, FM 1252, FM 2015 — Adding shoulders to FM 757 between IH 20 and FM 2767; to FM 1252 between SCR 3104 and the Gregg County Line; and to FM 2015 between IH 20 and US 271. The approximate $2.7 million project let in June and began August 29. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2012. Madden Contracting, Inc., of Minden, La., is the contractor.
*FM 2767 — Repair, add shoulders and resurface between FM 757 and SH 31 near Country Tavern in Gregg County, and adding centerline rumble strips between FM 850 and SH 31 in Gregg County. The approximate $4 million project let in June 2011, began in October, and is scheduled for completion in June 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.
*SH 110, FM 1253 — Adding shoulders to SH 110 between FM 1253 and Interstate 20, and adding centerline rumble strips on SH 110 between the Van Zandt County Line and Loop 323 in Tyler. Adding shoulders to FM 1253 between US 80 and FM 857. The approximate $1.4 million project let in June 2011, began in August, and is scheduled for completion in spring 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.

Looking ahead, TxDOT has another resurfacing job planned for Loop 323, this time between SH 155 and Bellwood Road near the railroad overpass. The estimated $2.7 million project is scheduled to let in this month and begin construction in the late spring or early summer.

Also coming in 2012:
*Interstate 20, Spring 2012 — Repair and resurface Interstate 20 between the Smith/Van Zandt County Line and US 69 in Lindale. The estimated $2 million project is scheduled to let in February 2012 and begin construction in the spring.
*FM 16, Spring 2012 — Repair and resurface and add centerline rumble strips to FM 16 between SH 110 and SH 155, add shoulders between FM 1253 and FM 757. The estimated $7.3 million project is scheduled to let in February 2012 and begin construction in the late spring or early summer.

Smith County At-A-Glance
Projects completed in 2011:
*FM 14 — Adding shoulders to FM 14 between IH 20 and North Loop 323 in Tyler. The $1.5 million project was completed in the spring of 2011.
*West Loop 323 — Install raised medians and resurface between SH 64 (West Erwin Street) and US 69 north. The $5.4 million project was completed in the spring of 2011.
*FM 16 — Upgrading bridge rail, guardrail and safety end treatments for culverts on FM 16 between SH 155 in Winona and US 271. The $596,000 project was completed in the spring of 2011.
*Spur 147 — Green Ribbon landscaping project adding decorative traffic islands and shrubbery at various intersections along Spur 147 in Tyler. Also includes resurfacing on Spur 147 between West Loop 323 and FM 14. The $1.5 million project was completed in the fall of 2011.
*FM 344 — Resurfacing and adding shoulders to FM 344 between US 69 in Bullard and FM 346 in Teaselville. The estimated $2.2 million project was completed in the summer of 2011.
*SW Loop 323 — Nighttime resurfacing between SH 155 and South Broadway Avenue. The $1.3 million project was completed in the summer of 2011.
*SH 110 — Resurfacing in Tyler between 5th Street and South Loop 323. The approximate $692,000 project was completed in the summer of 2011.
*FM 756 (Paluxy Drive) — Nighttime resurfacing between Jeff Davis and FM 346 south of Tyler. The approximate $267,000 project was completed in the summer of 2011.

Projects under construction:
*Toll 49, Segment 3A — Building two-lane toll road between SH 155 and SH 31 west of Tyler. The $38 million project broke ground in August 2009 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd. of Longview, Texas is the contractor.
*Toll 49, Segment 5 — Construct two-lane toll road between FM 756 (Paluxy Drive) and SH 110 in Whitehouse. The approximate $16 million project broke ground in February 2010 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd. of Longview, Texas is the contractor.
*FM 757, FM 1252, FM 2015 — Adding shoulders to FM 757 between IH 20 and FM 2767; to FM 1252 between SCR 3104 and the Gregg County Line; and to FM 2015 between IH 20 and US 271. The approximate $2.7 million project let in June and began August 29. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2012. Madden Contracting, Inc., of Minden, La., is the contractor.
*FM 2767 — Repair, add shoulders and resurface between FM 757 and SH 31 near Country Tavern in Gregg County, and adding centerline rumble strips between FM 850 and SH 31 in Gregg County. The approximate $4 million project let in June 2011, began in October, and is scheduled for completion in June 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.
*SH 110, FM 1253 — Adding shoulders to SH 110 between FM 1253 and Interstate 20, and adding centerline rumble strips on SH 110 between the Van Zandt County Line and Loop 323 in Tyler. Adding shoulders to FM 1253 between US 80 and FM 857. The approximate $1.4 million project let in June 2011, began in August, and is scheduled for completion in spring 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.

Projects planned for 2012:
*Loop 323, Spring 2012 — Repair and resurface Loop 323 in Tyler between SH 155 and Bellwood. The estimated $2.7 million project is scheduled to let in January 2012 and begin construction in the late spring or early summer.
*Interstate 20, Spring 2012 — Repair and resurface Interstate 20 between the Smith/Van Zandt County Line and US 69 in Lindale. The estimated $2 million project is scheduled to let in February 2012 and begin construction in the spring.
*FM 16, Spring 2012 — Repair and resurface and add centerline rumble strips to FM 16 between SH 110 and SH 155, add shoulders between FM 1253 and FM 757. The estimated $7.3 million project is scheduled to let in February 2012 and begin construction in the late spring or early summer.

2012 Seal Coat Roads (work to be done between May and August)
*FM 346 between SH 110 in Whitehouse and SH 110 in Troup;
*FM 346 between FM 344 in Teaselville and FM 2868 in Flint;
*FM 2964 (Rhone’s Quarter Road) between SH 110 in Tyler and FM 346 in Whitehouse;
*SH 57 (West Grande Extension) between SH 155 (Frankston Highway) and FM 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway)

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville animal control officers are looking for a feral pit bull that is part of a pack that attempted to attack a 3-year-old girl on Harrison Street. The feral dogs roam neighborhoods and wooded areas between Monroe Street and U.S. Highway 175. Suzie Clements, the animal control officer for Jacksonville Police Department, said officials have been chasing this particular pack of dogs for several years. She said once the dogs see members in traps, they relocate and they know what her truck looks like. Originally the pack had seven members, but she believes now there is only one left. “When they see their cohorts in the traps, they leave and we have to wait until we see them again,” she said. She said the dogs are well-known in the neighborhood, and generally just a nuisance to residents by getting into their trash, eating their dog food, and attacking goats or other animals. But on Wednesday, the group came out of the woods to attack a small girl riding her three-wheeler. Luckily, the girl’s grandfather was able to scare them off.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man crashed a car into a telephone pole trying to evade police. Jacksonville Police Sgt. Jason Price said the department received a frantic 911 call from a woman concerning someone attempting to break into her home on John Street in Jacksonville. Patrol officer Doug Yount responded to the call. Once there, he saw the suspect, Paul Taylor, 53, of Jacksonville fleeing the scene. Price said Yount told the man to stop, and when he did not the officer called for backup. Police say a high speed chase through town ended when Taylor struck a telephone pole. Taylor was injured in the crash. He was taken to East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville where he is listed in fair condition. He’s faced with two possible felonies.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a report of shots fired in the 1500 block of Dargan Avenue. It happened just after 3:00 Sunday morning. Authorities say they had initially received information that a man had been shot but officers found only gunshot holes along the front of the residence. Several bullets entered the living room area. No injuries were reported. The resident was unable to provide any suspect information. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police.

ANNONA (AP) — Texas authorities say they mistakenly identified the son of the late NWA frontman Eazy-E as one of eight people killed in a two-car collision in Red River County. Department of Public Safety Trooper Ryan Case said Saturday that Eric Wright Jr.’s name was on a rental agreement for one of the cars that collided Friday in East Texas. He says Wright was mistakenly listed as killed but actually was not involved in the wreck. Wright, who raps under the stage name is Lil’ Eazy-E, posted on Twitter that close friends died. Those killed in the rental car were: Debra Thompson of Long Beach, Calif.; and Curtis Sanders, Michael Mathis, Lawrence Bridnac III, of Compton, Calif. Those killed in the other car were Sonia de la Torre, 29, of Annona, and her three young children.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an aggravated assault after a report of multiple gunshots being fired. It happened around just before 2:00 Saturday morning at the Wild Bunch Club, 1714 North Palace. Officers say one person had been shot outside of the club. The victim was identified as Odis Bagley, 61. He suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment. Investigators said witnesses were unable to describe a suspect. Anyone with information about the suspect involved is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin woman pulled over for traffic warrants was arrested after officers found a marijuana pipe with her name on it. A search of Lisa Dugat’s vehicle uncovered a plastic pipe smelling of burnt marijuana with a printed label that read “LISA DUGAT.” She was taken in on the traffic warrants and her vehicle towed for no insurance. She was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released from the Angelina County Jail after posting bonds totaling $2,500.

LONGVIEW — A house fire has left a Longview family homeless, and, adding insult to injury, items were stolen from the home after the fire. The fire began about 8:00 Thursday night at the home in the 1300 block of Young Street where sisters Merial Dunn and Christina Dunn, along with Christina Dunn’s three small children, lived.

“I’d just been home from work a few minutes and kept smelling something smoky,” Merial Dunn said. “There’s often a smell like somebody’s having a bonfire in this neighborhood, so I didn’t pay too much attention at first. Then I looked toward the kitchen, and it was just all lit up and obviously on fire.”

The sisters first tried to put out the fire with a home fire extinguisher. When it became apparent their efforts weren’t working, they gathered the children, left the house and called 911. Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said the fire was under control at 8:45. Steelman said the cause of the fire has been ruled accidental and was due to a pan of cooking oil being left unattended on the stove.

When firefighters notified them Friday morning that they could return to the home and salvage what they could from among their belongings, they got an unwelcome surprise. At some point between when the firefighters left and the Dunns returned, thieves had entered the house and stolen some jewelry. Kristie Brian, public information officer with the Longview Police Department, said about $160 worth of jewelry was taken.

HARRISON COUNTY — Hallsville Mayor Jerri Medrano said Friday that she thought she would have to advertise the vacancies created when she fired three members of the city’s four-man police force. “But, I haven’t had to, people from all over the state have been calling and coming in, bringing applications,” said Medrano, who already had hired new Police Chief Lukas Reynolds but lost the city’s fourth and remaining officer when he resigned Wednesday night. “It looks like we might have some good applications. Reynolds is consulting with me as we look at applications,” she said.

The mayor remained tight-lipped over her reason for firing Chief Greg Scott, Sgt. Mack Fuller and officer T.C. Livingston on Wednesday morning. She has said the three failed to follow department or city policy and referred more specific inquiry to City Attorney Josh Searcy, who did not return detailed phone messages Friday.

Meanwhile, Reynolds on Friday was in Marshall meeting with Harrison County Sheriff’s Office officials to ensure Hallsville residents are under law enforcement protection. The Department of Public Safety troopers also regularly patrol Hallsville highways.

EAST TEXAS — Debra Kirby is hoping East Texans are ready to put drought and a long, hot summer behind them and welcome 2012 with a bang. Preferably, a lot of bangs. But they can’t do it within city limits. Kirby operates Fireworks Express, between Longview and Hallsville at 6667 U.S. 80, and several other regional fireworks stands with her husband. They’ve been in business since 2004, and Kirby said this past Fourth of July season was harsh. “This past summer was the worst we’ve ever had,” she said of sales.

Recent rains and the lifting of outdoor burning bans across East Texas have the fireworks business looking up. “It’s really starting to pick up today, and we expect to be really busy Saturday,” Kirby said Friday afternoon. She said people coming in seem more comfortable buying fireworks after recent rains. Fireworks Express and other fireworks stands in the region will be open until midnight tonight, she said. Despite the rain and lack of burn bans, though, customers still cannot use fireworks anywhere they wish; Longview and most area cities ban the use of fireworks.

Fireworks Safety Tips:

Use fireworks outdoors only. Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them. Always have water handy. (a hose or bucket) Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them. Never re-light a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes, and then soak it in a bucket of water. Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter, and the shooter should wear safety glasses. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.” Only people age 12 and older should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type. Do not use homemade fireworks.

QUITMAN — No one was injured when a passing train struck a tractor trailer Friday afternoon in Overton. According to Overton police Officer Janice Bagley, the crash occurred at 4:16 where Henderson Street intersects Commerce Street near the train tracks in downtown Overton. Bagley said the downtown area was closed to traffic for about two hours as crews cleared the crash scene. Witnesses said part of the trailer was near enough to the track that the passing train struck the end and forced it to become perpendicular with the tracks.

WOOD COUNTY –A man who was shot just outside Mineola shortly before 4:00 Friday was taken by emergency helicopter to East Texas Medical Center Hospital in Tyler and investigators have a suspect in custody on unrelated charges. The incident happened along County Road 2210, which runs from the loop to Lake Holbrook. A suspect, Joel David Head, 44, of Quitman is in custody on unrelated charges.

Officials believe the victim was struck in the head one time by a small caliber rifle round. He was a passenger in a white Dodge pickup traveling eastbound on CR 2210. The driver of the truck stopped at a flea market to place the 911 call. The victim was taken by emergency helicopter to ETMC Tyler. The sheriff’s department said his status is unknown at this time and the Tyler Police Department is assisting with information on the victim.

GREGG COUNTY — Officials had one suspect in custody when another jumped back into their vehicle, leading police on a chase south of Longview. A Department of Public Safety trooper was running the second suspect’s license when he got back inside the vehicle and drove away, according to DPS spokeswoman Jean Dark. Officials apprehended the driver in a hotel parking lot near Estes Parkway at Interstate 20. Dark said the chase lasted about six miles. The two men are Louisiana residents. They were identified as Patrick Lee Thomas, 27 (pictured) and Bryan Webb, 29. Thomas’ bail is set at $10,000. Webb’s is set at $40,000.

WOOD COUNTY — The second suspect in a Wood County sexual assault of a child is in custody. David Lee Bowman, 25, was apprehended Thursday by the United State’s Marshal’s Office and is in the Crosby County Jail, according to a Wood County sheriff’s press release. Bowman and 24-year-old Roni Curry are charged with continuous sexual assault of a child younger than the age of 14 in Wood County. U.S. Marshal Service found Bowman had been hiding in Ralls, the release said. Curry turned herself in Wednesday to officials. She is being held in the Wood County Jail on $200,000 bond.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Waskom man died Thursday morning when a burning tree fell and pinned him as his son tried to free the 61-year-old. Nathaniel Fletcher had been burning the tree in preparation for cutting it down when his son heard an explosion in the backyard in the 800 block of Fox Hunting Road. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department said the son called 911 at about 11:00 reporting he was able to roll all but the largest portion of the tree pinning his father’s legs. Sheriff’s deputies and fire crews removed the tree to find Fletcher’s legs broken along with multiple lacerations and burns. Fletcher was pronounced dead at the scene.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Pollok man was arrested Wednesday on accusations he stole more than $100,000 from his employer, East Texas Open MRI. Jon LaCount was released from jail the same day on a $20,000 bond. An arrest affidavit stated LaCount was in charge of keeping the financial records, but those responsibilities were taken from him in 2009 when the managing partner found discrepancies. An investigation into the matter showed LaCount was using company money to pay his personal credit cards, property taxes, dental work, vehicle repairs and groceries bought at Sam’s Club.

The total amount stolen is reportedly more than $100,000, the affidavit stated. Workers and the managing partner gave written statements to police saying LaCount did admit he used company money to pay his bills. If convicted of the charge of second-degree felony theft, LaCount faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER — Postal Service managers got an earful last night from area residents who don’t want a Smith County mail processing operation shut down. They were in Tyler to give an overview and gather community input regarding a proposal to move some mail processing operations from the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center. None of those who showed up at the Tyler hearing last night approved the plan.

The AMP proposal supports consolidating some mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center in Owentown by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Austin, North Texas and Shreveport postal plants. The proposal is an effort to increase efficiency and improve productivity and save money. While no final decisions have been reached, Postal Service managers will gave an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes. A summary of the proposal and presentation materials will be made available on usps.com.

McKinney Boyd with the Dallas district of the postal service tells KETK, he realizes people nationwide are passionate when it comes to closing facilities. “It’s like part of the community. It’s like the library or a police station. They become passionate, we understand that. But at the same time, we’re losing $23 Million a day. We have to do something to offset those expenses.”

ALBA – A third person has died from a three vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 69 near Alba. The latest to die from that Tuesday Wood County wreck was Margaret Miller, 69, of Sherman. She had been in critical condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Dead at the scene of the crash was Michael West, 38, Alba and Suzan Fincher, 74, Sherman. Fincher was a passenger in a car driven by Angela Ann Shoffstall, 74, Fairview, who remains in critical condition at ETMC.

Investigators say that a car was traveling north on US 69 when it slowed to make a left turn into a rest area. While the vehicle waited for traffic to clear from the southbound lanes, it was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The impact sent the car into the oncoming southbound traffic where it was struck broadside by a another car.

LONGVIEW – A Longview family has escaped their burning home uninjured. The fire was reported around 8:00 last night in the 1300 block of Young Street. Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen when a pan of grease ignited. About 30% of the home was damaged.

CANTON – A car stuck in the mud has turned into a drug arrest in Van Zandt County. Officers answering a trespassing call found the car on County Road 1804. A man and a woman were in the car, which was registered to the man, Michael Lee Herrera of Quitman. Herrera was taken into custody when it was discovered he was wanted on a narcotics warrant for methamphetamine out of Dallas County.

During an inventory of the vehicle, deputies found about 30 grams of meth, scales used to weigh and measure drugs and small baggies used for the distribution of narcotics. Herrera is being held with no bond. He is also facing additional charges of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. The woman was released.