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LONGVIEW – Longview school trustees have accepted the resignation of Superintendent James Wilcox. The action came at their meeting late Monday night. District officials said the vote was 6-0, with trustee Troy Simmons absent from the meeting. Wilcox’s resignation takes effect December 31. Wilcox has been Longview’s school superintendent for over 4½ years. He came to Longview from the Waxahachie school district.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Sulphur Springs school district needs a new superintendent. Patsy Bolton submitted her letter of resignation and retirement at Monday’s school board meeting. It a prepared statement to the media Bolton said, “It was with a bittersweet mixture of humility and pride that I officially submitted by resignation and notice of retirement to the trustees.”

She was first appointed to act as interim superintendent after Mark Henry was selected superintendent at Galena Park ISD in May 2004. She was named superintendent and assumed the position in July, 2004.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center-Tyler celebrated what’s termed “visionary leadership” as its emergency center was named the Elmer G. Ellis Trauma Center Tuesday as part of a $1 million donation by the Robert M. Rogers Foundation. In 2005, ETMC Tyler embarked on an $8 million expansion and refurbishment of its emergency department, beginning with a major addition of 12 exam rooms and support areas located on the west side of the emergency drive.

The Rogers Foundation elected to support what hospital officials call “this vital capital project” through a $1 million pledge that was completed earlier this year. As part of its commitment, the foundation asked that the trauma center be named for Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System at the project’s completion. “Nothing better reflects ETMC’s mission of care for East Texans – and the dedication of Elmer Ellis – than its trauma program,” said Wade C. Ridley, board chairman for the ETMC Foundation. “We are grateful to the Rogers Foundation for its outstanding support of the trauma center project, which will ultimately save countless lives.”

A bronze plaque honoring Ellis, located with the donor recognition wall, reads: “Through a landmark gift to this facility, The Robert M. Rogers Foundation recognizes Elmer G. Ellis, President/CEO, East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, for exemplifying ETMC’s mission of care to East Texas. His personal dedication has resulted in an unmatched emergency/trauma network throughout the region and beyond, and ETMC Tyler’s State of Texas designation as a Level I Trauma Center. This center is thereby dedicated in his honor and in recognition of the lives that will be saved within these hallowed walls.”

TYLER — The teen who fired some shots in the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center, will be going to prison. Corey Darnell Webb was sentenced to 50 years. The Missouri teen admitted to shooting at officers inside the facility a year ago when he appeared Tuesday in 7th State District Court. Webb could have received up to life in prison. Kansas City police had asked Tyler police to hold Webb for outstanding warrants. During that time, he pulled a gun from his backpack and began firing at an officer inside the attention center. No one was injured.

LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District board of trustees voted Monday night to join more than 300 school districts in the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition-Equity Center lawsuit filed against the state. Officials say the lawsuit, filed in October, is in response to the Texas legislature’s more than $4 billion cuts to school funding. The goal of the lawsuit is to push reform for the state’s current funding system in order to begin a new means to fairly distribute resources to districts, adjust for varying costs of educating students of all needs and vary operating costs of districts of different classifications (rural versus urban). The lawsuit addresses state property tax, adequacy and suitability, student equity, target revenue, tax payer equity and equal protection.

“Lindale ISD, like most districts, wants an efficient and equitable funding system for public schools,” Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “Lindale ISD is below the state average in terms of revenue per student. Also, the current funding system designed by the legislature has major issues in adequacy and future capacity. We want to see this changed.”

LISD trustees first examined joining the lawsuit as part of the business discussion at the October 10 meeting. LISD school board president Brig. Gen. James K. “Red” Brown was not present at Monday night’s meeting but Surratt said Brown had discussed the litigation with the school district’s attorneys and recommended the district participate. With Gen. Brown’s recommendation, trustees approved the contribution of $1 per Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA) for the lawsuit by a vote of 6-0.

Lindale ISD joins several school districts from East Texas in the equity lawsuit including Tyler ISD, Bullard ISD and Van ISD. There are currently three school finance lawsuits against the state. “In the past, most major reform and improvement in school funding has come about due to school districts filing lawsuits in the state,” added Surratt. “This is not the first time this has happened. Our goal is to prompt and motivate legislators to address the funding crisis that schools are facing.”

TYLER — Fire has damaged a Tyler home. It was reported just before 9:00 Tuesday morning at 1917 North Border. The fire started in a bedroom of the house. Everyone inside escaped safely.

Investigators say the fire when a propane space heater was started. The bed was quickly involved with fire and the residents left the house. There was heavy fire damage to two rooms. In addition, there was smoke damage throughout the house.

At this time of the year the fire department wants to remind everyone about space heater safety. All space heaters need at least 3 foot clearance from anything that can burn. Clothing, furniture, decorations, etc. can all burn if too close to a space heater. Propane space heaters are not designed to be used to heat the interior of a house while people are living in it. The greatest danger is the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning to the occupants. As always, having a working smoke detector that is properly located in a house gives the earliest warning to everyone so that they get out alive.

TYLER — The sex abuse scandals at Penn State and Syracuse cause some colleges all over the country re-examining their policies, including campuses here in in East Texas. Tyler Junior College spokesman, Fred Peters, says they were already making sure that any hint of harassment was reported and dealt with quickly. Peters says that TJC has had a Civility Task Force in place for over a year, that meets every week.

But Peters also wonders if the Sandusky story breaking when it did had anything to do with a letter from the government. The letter was sent to all colleges and universities and warned of a renewed effort to make sure Title IX cases of harassment were rooted out. Title IX is the law that deals with gender equity issues we usually associate with women’s athletics. But is also covers harassment. There were over 4000 incidents of sexual harassment reported in universities across the country last year. But with the latest high profile cases, perhaps that number will go down.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin woman was in critical condition in a Tyler hospital following a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 59. Maria Cordero, 43, is being treated at East Texas Medical Center-Tyler according to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Phillip Richard. Cordero was northbound on Highway 59 north in her 2004 Ford Mustang around 4:45 Monday afternoon when she clipped a Toyota Rav-4 driven by Jaime Sifuentes, 30, of Nacogdoches. Upon clipping the side of Sifuentes’ SUV, Cordero over-corrected, lost control and hit a metal fence in front of a home facing the highway.

After slamming into the fence, her car came to rest on its passenger side, pinning her inside the vehicle. Cordero was wearing her seat belt. Sifuentes was uninjured in the accident.

TITUS COUNTY — Two Naples residents died Saturday evening in a one-vehicle crash in Titus County. According to Department of Public Safety officials, Shawn Hamm, 39, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 67 around 8:00, when she left the roadway and struck a tree. DPS spokeswoman Sylvia Jennings said both Hamm and her passenger, Jordon Roosevelt, 56, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said Hamm was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, but Roosevelt was not.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD Superintendent, James Wilcox, announced his retirement to district principals and some area media Monday but had not officially given the news to his school board. That notification may have come in a closed session of the board that continued late Monday.

Board President Sam Satterwhite said Monday afternoon he was aware Wilcox had notified principals, but could not confirm when the retirement would take effect because Wilcox “has not officially told the board that.”

Longview ISD spokesman Adam Holland said in an email Wilcox planned to give his retirement notice to trustees at the meeting that began at 7:00 Monday night. If accepted, his retirement would take effect Dec. 31, Holland said. However, nothing was said about the matter during the portion of the meeting that was open to the public. About 9:00, the board went into executive session for its annual self-assessment and to discuss personnel and other matters.

“I’m pleased to have been a part of the best school district east of I-45,” Wilcox said in a news release issued Monday afternoon. “This is bittersweet, as I have loved every day in Longview ISD.”

Wilcox said in the news release he hasn’t made immediate full-time work plans, but intends to remain active in educational circles and Longview-area organizations. Meanwhile, district officials have remained mum on rumors that the board intends to rehire Wilcox about a month after his retirement takes effect.

Such an arrangement would be acceptable under the state’s Teacher Retirement System. The move would allow Wilcox to draw a salary from the district as well as partial benefits of the Teacher Retirement System. With an annual salary of $207,500, his contract with the school district expires June 30.

TYLER – A Smith County man will be going to prison for a shooting this spring in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot. Terrence Widemon, 25, of Flint, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault. State District Judge Jack Skeen sentenced Widemon to 12 years in prison.

HENDERSON – The Gaston Water Supply is asking its customers to boil water for a 72 hour period. The company has experience a water line break and a loss of pressure. They are asking their Henderson customers on Main Street and Farm Road 13, and the customers south of these roads, to boil their water.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says a Republican bill to fast-track approval of an oil pipeline from Canada could lead to the project’s demise. In a statement Monday, the State Department warned that congressional interference with the Keystone XL pipeline could backfire. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses an international border.

The statement said that if Congress imposes an arbitrary deadline for a permit decision, it could prevent the administration from meeting environmental laws that govern the approval process. In that case, officials say the department would be unable to make a determination to issue a permit.’

GOP lawmakers back a bill to require approval of the pipeline within 60 days. They say the Canada-to-Texas pipeline will help create jobs without taxpayer money. The proposed route of the pipeline takes it through eastern Smith County.

TYLER — Effective today, the City of Tyler Water Utilities Department is implementing “Step Two” of the Drought Contingency Measures. The City implemented Stage One drought measures in early October of this year which called for voluntary restrictions of residential water use.

“Although the City has experienced some rain events in the last month, it has not been enough precipitation to refill our reservoirs,” said Water Utilities Managing Director Greg Morgan. “We feel that because of the dry weather conditions we have been experiencing in the last year and the predictions of a dry spring and summer in the upcoming year, it is in the best interest of Tyler’s long term planning efforts to take this action at this time.”

Step Two drought measures call for mandatory water conservation measures to prohibit water waste. Water waste is defined as washing house windows, sidings, eaves and roof with a hose (without the use of a bucket); washing driveways, streets, curbs and gutters, washing vehicles without a cut-off valve and bucket; unattended sprinkling of landscape shrubs and grass; and filling of swimming pools.

Outdoor water usage, such as irrigation of landscaped areas, is limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number or Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number. Additionally, irrigation should be done between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Use of hand-held hoses, watering cans and drip systems for irrigation may be done at any time.

The goal of the Step Two drought measures is to reduce water consumption by 10%.

“The State of Texas as well as the entire country is taking a close look at water use and conservation,” added Morgan. “We need to make sure we are doing what we can to prepare for the future.”

SMITH COUNTY — One person is dead after a family argument turned violent. According to Smith County authorities, it happened just before 2:45 Sunday afternoon in the 15,000 block of Dry Creek Road when Audy Douglas Murphy, 39, began arguing with his mother, Nanette Kirton, 62. Murphy’s stepfather, William Wesley Kirton, 67, found him standing over Mrs. Kirton, yelling at her. Mr. Kirton then retrieved his handgun and warned Murphy to stop the abuse or he would shoot. Authorities said Murphy turned toward Mr. Kirton and began coming at him aggressively, telling his stepdad to “shoot me”. Mr. Kirton fired one shot with his 9 millimeter into Murphy’s chest. He died at the scene.

Authorities tell our news partner KETK, they have responded to the residence 31 times to deal with the son. Officials say Murphy suffers from mental illness and was off his medications at the time of the shooting. He is also known to abuse illegal substances, and had a pending assault. Murphy also has a criminal history of assault, terroristic threat, criminal mischief, unlawful carrying weapon, DWI and vehicle theft. Deputies did not arrest Mr. Kirton. They believe he killed Murphy in protection for himself and his wife. The case will be presented to a grand jury for review.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man was killed in a hit-and-run in Cherokee County. According to Texas Department of Public Safety reports, a vehicle struck and killed Adam Wade Stockton, 40, before 3:00 Saturday morning on County Road 3906, northeast of Jacksonville. The vehicle was driving around another vehicle that was stopped in the roadway when it hit Stockton. Stockton was pronounced dead at East Texas Medical Center Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Highway Patrol office is investigating.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say the motorist who struck an officer’s patrol car head-on Sunday morning will face charges of intoxication assault. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said officer Leigh Ann Snyder’s patrol car was struck at about 8:00 Sunday morning by Ramon Antonio Dominguez, 22, of Longview. The incident occurred in the 5200 block of Loop 281, between Sabine Street and Texas 31.

Brian said Dominguez was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his Toyota Scion, traveled across the median and struck Snyder’s patrol car. Following the crash, the Jaws of Life were called to extricate the officer and her passenger from the vehicle. They were transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Snyder underwent emergency surgery from injuries sustained in the crash, and her passenger was transported for less serious injuries.

Dominguez was also transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. He was listed in good condition Monday, and the officer was listed in fair condition. Brian said Dominguez faced charges of two counts of intoxication assault.

TYLER — A rollover accident in Tyler this morning is under investigation but authorities are saying speed appeared to be a factor. It happened on highway 110 north about half a mile outside loop 323. According to Department of Public Safety officials, the driver over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll. The driver was taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

DIBOLL — An East Texas woman has been arrested on charges of lighting a bottle on fire and throwing it through the window of a Diboll home. Krystal Cook, 20, was charged with first-degree felony arson in connection with the August 27 incident. Cook reportedly threw the bottle, while one other person acted as a lookout and getaway driver. The Diboll woman was jailed on a $75,000 bond. In the last year-and-a-half, Cook has been arrested six times on charges including theft of service, DUI, theft and possession of a dangerous drug.

JACKSONVILLE — Friends and neighbors are continuing to seek help for a Jacksonville couple and their eight children who lost their house and possessions in a fire. It happened on Corinth Road, just before nine o’clock on Thursday night. Jacksonville fire officials tell KETK no one was hurt. There was no immediate word on what caused the blaze. The Jacksonville High School Band parents have begun asking the community for donations of clothing, gift cards, etc. to help replace their belongings. Here are the children’s sizes of clothing/shoes:

Girl – 4 toddler clothes and 11 shoe
Girl – 8 clothes and 12-1 shoes
Boy – 10-12 clothes and 4 shoes teen-age
Girl – 6 clothes and 5-1/2 shoes teen-age
Girl – 10 clothes and 7-1/2 shoes ladies size six panties and 34b and 36c bras.
Boys 10-12 underwear
Girls size 8 underwear
All are in school except for the size 4 girl.

Marilyn Bolton is coordinating with the band parents and students for donations, and items can also be delivered to 1001 Bonner St. in Jacksonville. One of the JHS counselors, Mrs. Pierce, is also collecting donated items.

An account has been set up at Austin Bank for donations to the family.

LONGVIEW – We should be getting more information today about a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a Longview club. It happened either late Friday night or early Saturday morning at Cloud Nine on West Marshall Avenue. A person who witnessed the robbery chased the suspect across the street where an altercation occurred and the witness is said to have shot the suspect. The suspect remains hospitalized this morning.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to conclude pavement repairs on State Highway 110 in Troup by Tuesday, then move to perform similar operations on State Highway 31 west of Tyler at the intersections of Farm Road 2661 and Farm Road 315 in Chandler. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Finally this week, a crew scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) on Monday and Tuesday at the intersections of Shiloh, Grande, Jeff Davis and Cumberland Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road) between U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue) north to the Gregg County line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 on State Highway 64 between Farm Road 859 and Interstate Highway 20, and on Farm Road 1995 between Farm Road 773 and State Highway 110.

A second crew is scheduled to begin several days of fog seal operations on Farm Road 857 between U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline and Farm Road 1253 north of Jamestown. 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 110 between New Summerfield and Troup. 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 on State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Farm Road 323. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — With more deer on the roads this time of year, Texas Parks and Wildlife urges you to use caution when driving on the roads. Captain Game Warden Quint Balkcom tells KETK deer-related accidents pick up during the colder months. He says deer are out hunting for food and the males are chasing does. He suggests paying extra attention, looking ahead of where you’re traveling, and reducing your speed during the early morning and late night hours.

“The deer offer you the benefit of having a reflective eye structure so they are easily seen if you do have your headlights on,” Balkcom says. “Always drive at a slower speed in a rural-type setting.” Balkcom adds that if you do hit a deer and the meat is still edible, you can report the accident to law enforcement and submit a request to use the animal for food.

TYLER — Officials say it’s part of the City of Tyler’s ongoing effort to promote citizen involvement and transparency in local government. Mayor Barbara Bass has initiated the Mayor’s Citizens Academy as a way for citizens to learn about each department within their local government.

According to a news release, the Mayor’s Citizens Academy is tailored to individuals who are interested in learning more about municipal government and how the City of Tyler operates. Officials say ideal candidates are those looking to get involved with the City of Tyler by serving on a board or commission, volunteering with one of the City’s departments, or running for City Council or Mayor. The optimum class size is 20 people. “Citizens Academy is a great way for those who want to become involved in local government to learn about the organization,” said Mayor Bass. “I am excited to be rolling out this program to encourage citizen involvement.”

During the 11-week program, presentations, tours and interactive sessions will be led by in-house experts from each City department as well as the Mayor and City Manager. Opportunities for questions and answers as well as discussion will be available during each class. Applicants for the Academy must be at least 18 years old. Classes start March 1, 2012 and will meet each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. for 11 weeks at various facilities around the city. Dinner will be provided each week and the program will conclude with a graduation ceremony on May 23, 2012 at the Mayor’s State of the City Luncheon.

To apply for the Mayor’s Citizens Academy go to http”//www.cityoftyler.org (direct link at http://www.cityoftyler.org/CommunicationsMediaRelations/MayorsCitizenAcademy/tabid/983/Default.aspx). Applications are due Jan. 20, 2012.

TYLER — The holidays are a favorite time to travel, but they can also be a time for battling traffic and bad weather on the road. Staying safe should be a top priority for all travelers, so the Better Business Bureau recommends taking a few precautions when hitting the road this holiday season. “Before hitting the roads, give your car the attention that it needs,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “By maintaining your vehicle’s physical condition and planning ahead, you’ll have more time to focus on creating great memories for your family.”

BBB recommends taking the following steps for safe driving this holiday season:

Create a car safety kit. Holiday driving often includes the threat of dangerous winter weather. Snow and ice can lead to accidents, car troubles, long delays and road closures. You can prepare for bad weather by creating your own safety kit. Basics for the kit include blankets, flashlight with extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable foods like granola bars and nuts, bottled water, an ice scraper and warm gloves.

Take the car in for a checkup. Breaking down on the side of the road can definitely put a damper on the holiday spirit. If your car is due for a check up, take it in before making that long haul. At the very least, check the car’s fluid levels, wipers and tire pressure. Check the condition of your tires and, if you plan on driving through serious winter weather, consider getting snow tires.

Take BBB with you. When you’re away from home or in the midst of an emergency, it’s hard to know which businesses—such as tow trucks and locksmiths—you can trust. The good news is you can now rely on BBB’s mobilized website or the BBB iPhone App. for finding businesses you can trust when you’re away from your computer.

Start early and slow down. The best way to fight holiday traffic is to give yourself some extra time to make the trip, and don’t speed. Speeding leads to accidents, which slow traffic and cause bottlenecks. Also, if you’re caught speeding by law enforcement, that adds travel time and puts a dent in your holiday spending.

Drop the distractions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. When you’re behind the wheel, don’t text and drive, use a hands free headset when talking on the phone, and get someone else to fumble with the GPS.

Plan time for unexpected stops. The best road trips are just as much about the journey as the destination. Allow yourself extra time for unexpected detours when you’re planning your trip. Some of the most memorable places may end up being those that were not planned.

Go to http://www.bbb.org for more tips on how to be a savvy consumer this holiday season. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

ALTO — For police officers in the city of Alto, it has been a real roller coaster. The force was disbanded last summer when the city ran out of money, but according to KETK, the City Council has now reinstated the department, and chosen a new chief. Former Alto patrolman Jeremy Jackson is now the chief, and when a reporter first went to talk to him, he was out and for good reason. The entire force is Jackson — and one other officer. Will two officers be enough? Not according to former Chief Charles Barron. But Jackson says they’ll make do. Jackson said when he and his officer began the day watching school zones Friday, they were met with applause, honks and thumbs up. It seems the city is pretty happy to have its police back.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police arrest a man for allegedly having 14 pounds of cocaine his SUV. Police tell KETK they arrested Andre Henderson of Detroit, Michigan, on West Loop 224 Thursday night. Police say they pulled the 27-year-old over for a routine traffic stop and that’s when the officer spotted cocaine in the front seat.

SMITH COUNTY — Five people have been rescued after being trapped in a truck following a Smith County accident. Witnesses tell KETK it happened just after 7 Friday night at the intersection of FM 2767 and FM 2908. Two trucks rolled over, a red one and black one. Witnesses say everyone inside the black truck climbed out unharmed through the sun roof. The people who were trapped were inside the red truck. It took emergency crews using the jaws of life over an hour to get them out. All were taken to a Tyler hospital. Further information wasn’t immediately available.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies looking for stolen property have uncovered a methamphetamine lab and other materials. Five persons have been arrested. Three, arrested Wednesday, are identified as Anna Marie Craig, 39, Kevin Michael Sanders, 31, and Karen Stevenson Waters, 44. The other two, apprehended Thursday, are referred to by authorities as Nacogdoches County drug dealers. Steven Michael Kelly of Cushing and Ricky Eugene Sowell of Woden were arrested at two separate locations. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, “This was a significant blow to the local drug trade in our county.”

Authorities say it was the odor that gave the meth lab away. As deputies approached the house they smelled what they thought were methamphetamine-producing chemicals. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies found in the house substances believed to be methamphetamine, as well as some of the commonly used items to produce methamphetamine.

According to KETK, the search Thursday was in Cushing. Authorities say during that search, numerous bags of methamphetamine packaged for selling and several thousand dollars in cash were seized, as well as property that is believed to have been reported stolen.

TYLER — Authorities say residents of a Tyler retirement community caught thieves in the act. According to KETK, it happened at the Meadow Lake Retirement Center on Shoreline Drive. Residents noticed the culprits stealing from them, so they dialed 911. Smith County authorities were called to the scene, where they reportedly shut down all exits until they found the suspects.