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LONGVIEW – Two persons were killed and one injured in an early Monday morning crash in Longview. The one vehicle accident happened around 12:05am in the 300 block of Pine Tree Road. Pronounced dead at the scene were Alonso Rivera, 20 and Jose Cervantes, 22, both of Longview. A third person in the vehicle was ejected. He was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

JACKSONVILLE — Law officers have arrested a suspect on robbery and weapon charges, and more charges could be on the way. Late Sunday afternoon, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the possible location of Shane Kirkland, 20, of Arp. The caller advised that Kirkland was seen getting into a gold colored van at a gas station in New Summerfield. The caller further advised that the van began traveling west on Highway 79 toward Jacksonville. According to authorities, Texas DPS Troopers, with assistance from the New Summerfield PD, located the van on Highway 79 just inside Jacksonville about 15 minutes later.

Authorities say that Kirkland was taken into custody without incident but that he was found to have a stolen 9 mm pistol tucked inside his waistband when he was placed into custody. While questioning the driver, it was discovered that he did not know Kirkland, and had just been approached by Kirkland seeking a ride. The driver of the van was released at that time. The 9 mm pistol was listed as stolen through the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Kirkland was arraigned Monday on charges of felon in possession of firearm and aggravated robbery. The bonds were set at $125,000 and $1,000,000 respectively.

He had been wanted for an aggravated robbery in Cherokee County. He is accused of pulling a knife in the Hot Spot convenience store and demanding money, cigarettes, and K-2. The incident happened Tuesday afternoon April 5th. A contingent of law officers, aided by dogs, was unable to locate Kirkland that afternoon.

Kirkland also has a no-bond probation revocation warrant for an aggravated robbery charge out of Smith County, where he was arrested July 8, 2009. Officials say other charges are still possible in Cherokee County and Rusk County, all stemming from incidents which occurred while Kirkland was allegedly on the run.

TYLER — Tyler Police say they need your help with any information related to the homicide that occurred at 4516 Edinburgh on February 24. Investigators determined that 28-year-old Harold Miller and an unknown suspect had a violent struggle before Miller was killed. Investigators believe that the suspect suffered a serious cut to his hands or arms during the incident.

Tyler Fire, Police, and EMS responded to a house fire at 4516 Edinburgh around 11:17 a.m. on February 24, 2011. The fire was observed by a neighbor who was passing by the residence who observed the smoke and flames. Tyler firefighters located a deceased male inside the residence while attending to the fire. Tyler Police Investigators responded to the scene due to what was termed the suspicious nature of the body, later determined to be Miller’s.

Anyone with information about the suspect 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 arrest and charges filed against the suspect or suspects in this or any felony case.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police search for an armed gang they believe is responsible for a Saturday hold-up. Officers answered the call for help at the Entertainment Shack on Shawnee just after 3:00 Saturday morning. They say several armed men rushed in and demanded money while pointing a gun at employees. One of the man fired shots toward the Shack as he ran away.

HUNTINGTON — A woman was killed and two people were seriously injured in a wreck in front of the Dairy Queen in Huntington a little after 8:00 Monday morning. Christine Wise-Allen, 50, of York, Pennsylvania, died on impact in the wreck, according to Huntington Police Chief Bobby Epperly. The woman was a passenger in a car driven by her friend, Robin Chambers, 49, of Zavalla, according to Epperly.

Chambers was taken to Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin, although she was expected to be transported to another facility once she was stabilized, Epperly said. Billy Joe Walters, 56, of Huntington, was the driver of a southbound Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that slid into the turn lane of U.S. 69 south and collided nearly head-on with the northbound car.

TYLER — A second person has died following a Sunday night crash in Tyler. The wreck happened around 8:00 Sunday night at the intersection of West Erwin and Lyons Streets. Geneva Davis Townsend, 89, Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger in her vehicle, Jane Onys Bohanon, 81, of Tyler, died shortly after 2:45 Monday morning in East Texas Medical Center from injuries she sustained in the crash.

Accident Investigators determined Joe Preston Rogers, 61, Tyler, was traveling west on Erwin when he struck Townsend’s vehicle head on in the intersection of Erwin and Lyons. Rogers was treated at East Texas Medical Center and later transported to the Smith County Jail. He has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

McCOMB, Miss. (AP) – Authorities say a thoracic surgeon with ties to Mississippi and Texas was killed in a weekend plane crash along with his wife and her sister. Pike County, Miss., Coroner Percy Pittman said the crash killed 52-year-old Dr. Taylor Pickett; his wife, 22-year-old Laura Pickett of Summit, Miss.; and her sister, 29-year-old Jacquelyn Ham of Meadville, Miss. The Cessna 310R, a dual-engine propeller craft, crashed Sunday about 4:30 a.m. into trees near the McComb-Pike County Airport on its way from New Orleans to McComb, Miss. Officials say Dr. Pickett was a cardiologist and thoracic, or chest, surgeon who worked for McComb’s Mississippi Cardiovascular Institute before going to work in Lufkin, Texas. McComb Police Chief Greg Martin said the pilot spent time in both Summit, Miss., and Texas.

TYLER — In an effort to raise the county’s immunization level against rabies, the annual Smith County Dog and Cat Rabies Vaccination Clinics are being held this week. The clinics are open through Saturday at various locations around the county. Your pet dog or cat can be inoculated at the reduced price of only $8.00. Here are this year’s clinics and locations:
Monday, April 11th, 7:00pm
Bullard……..High School Ag Shop
Mt. Sylvan….Community Center
Winona…….Winona High School Ag Shop

Tuesday April 12th, 7:00pm
Chapel Hill….High School Bus Loop
Flint/Gresham…Community Center
Noonday…….Community Center
Overton……..Overton High School Ag Shop
Pine Springs…Community Center
Providence……Community Center
Red Springs…..Red Springs Fire Department
Troup…………Troup High School Ag Shop

Wednesday April 13th, 7:00pm
Tyler………….Humane Society of Smith County, 1823 County Road 386

Thursday April 14th, 7:00pm
Lindale……….High School Ag Shop
Jackson……….Fire Department
Whitehouse…..Covered pavilion across from the high school
New Harmony….Community Center
Starville…………Community Center
Arp………………High School Ag Shop

Saturday April 16th, 2:00pm
Colonial Hills……Colonial Hills Baptist Church on South Broadway
John Tyler……….Parking lot in front of the school on NNW Loop 323

If you need more information, contact the Smith County Extension Service Office at 903- 590-2980.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Street Department and Texas Department of Transportation will again be closing the outer westbound lane of Loop 323 from Copeland Road to Fry Avenue between 8:30am and 4:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday. This closure is to ensure the safety of area high school students as they paint a mural on the retaining wall in this area.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the mural stretching along the southeast portion of Loop 323 will receive a facelift. Originally launched as an interschool project that would be repainted regularly, the existing mural was painted by students from area schools in 2002.

This spring, students from six area schools including: The Brook Hill School, All Saints Episcopal, T.K. Gorman, Robert E. Lee, John Tyler, and Grace Community School will join forces to repaint the retaining wall. The new mural will portray a long strand of multicolored roses, with each school completing a section of the vine in their own style and color scheme.

All drivers are asked to use caution while driving in this area to further safeguard the safety of the students as they work.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2661 east of Tyler between State Highway 64 and State Highway 31. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement-repair operations on Spur 63 between U.S. Highway 80 and Loop 281. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations in various locations on State Highway 37 in Winnsboro between State Highway 11 and Farm Road 515, and south of Winnsboro near Farm Road 1647. 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 perform fog seal operations on U.S. Highway 175 between Frankston and Jacksonville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Then, on Monday, April 18, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to begin several weeks of pavement-repair operations in Rusk, Reklaw and Jacksonville. Crews will be working in the following locations in the following order:
*U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk, working in and around the intersection;
*U.S. Highway 84 east of U.S. Highway 69 in Rusk;
*U.S. Highway 84 in Reklaw in the curb-and-gutter section;
*U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 79, working in and around the intersection; and
*U.S. Highway 79 east of U.S. Highway 69.
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 perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 19 in Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and State Highway 64. Once that work is complete, crews will be performing the same work on State Highway 64 west of State Highway 19 and on State Highway 243 west of State Highway 198. Crews will also be at work in various locations south of U.S. Highway 80 on Farm Road 857 and Farm Road 1255. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 85 between the Navarro County Line and State Highway 274 in Seven Points. A second crew is scheduled to perform base repairs on Farm Road 317 south of Chandler between Farm Road 314 and Farm Road 315. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on State Highway 323 between Loop 571 and State Highway 42. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 323 southeast of Palestine between U.S. Highway 84 and Farm Road 1817, then move to Farm Road 321 between Tennessee Colony and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Historic Preservation Board will host a ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday designating the Schoenbrun House at 505 W. Third as a Historic Landmark. The designation of this modern-style home coincides with Preservation Texas’ Inaugural Texas MODern Month. The goal of Texas MODern Month is to raise awareness of and to preserve locally, regionally and nationally significant examples of modern architecture in Texas.

Mano Schoenbrun, born in Slovakia but a naturalized U.S. citizen, came to Tyler in 1931 with his wife Elsie, who had just immigrated from Hungary. They established what would become a retail fashion icon for men and women in East Texas, the New York Store. In 1947, with their business firmly established, the Schoenbruns took the first step toward building their dream home, purchasing from the estate of Walter H. Knight a large lot on the north side of West Third Street near the intersection of Chilton Avenue. Always in the forefront of fashion, Elsie and Mano embraced the new Modernism in architecture, building in 1950-1951 a sleek, one-story, u-shaped home of nearly 4,000 square feet –- distinctive in a neighborhood of traditional residences.

Attributed to architect Shirley Simons and built by Harry Oliver, Jr., the house features wide sweeps of aluminum windows that wrap corners. A massive chimney dominates the low roofline and façade of elongated salmon-colored brick. Important in 1950s Modernism, the flow begins with flagstone used for the front walk and porch, continuing as the entry and dining room flooring. Original cork paves the den and the 60-foot windowed hallway that runs along one side of the interior west wing.

Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto a central private patio with a deep overhanging roofline shading the interior wrap-around porch, another element of 1950s Modernism. Interior features include pocket doors, recessed lighting and a fossil stone living room fireplace wall that begins at the front entry. This same stone was added to the face of the downtown New York Store, still visible on the second story portion of the building at the corner of Spring and Erwin streets.

The Schoenbruns reared their four children, Ronnie, Larry, Shirley and Greta in this home. Rising to prominence in the East Texas retail business world, they added a store in Kilgore as well as one in Tyler’s then new Broadway Square Mall. Mano died in 1959, but Elsie operated the business with help from her family and continued to live in the home until her death in 1993. The property was purchased from the Schoenbrun estate in 1998 by Steve and Niki Cash.

In 2003 the house was included as a Contributing Property in the survey of the Azalea Residential Historic District and subsequently was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Don and Bonny Edmonds, current residents, bought the home in 2010.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are following up on an assault report. Shortly after 6:30 Saturday evening, TPD received a call of an aggravated assault at 3088 Old Omen Road. Officers responded to that location and were informed that two people had been cut with a broken beer bottle and were being transported to Mother Frances Hospital by private vehicle. No suspects were located at the scene. Officers responded to Mother Frances and contacted two men, ages 23 and 24 year, with minor lacerations to their backs. Both victims said that an unknown black male in his late teens or early 20s had caused a disturbance near the swimming pool area at the apartment and ultimately cut both of them during an altercation with a broken beer bottle. Both victims were treated at the hospital emergency room for their wounds and released.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a reported accidental shooting. Officers and EMS arrived on scene after police were dispatched to 516 West Houston Saturday night just before 8:00. Police and EMS were led into the residence by a friend of the victim. The victim, an 18 year old man, had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was then transported to East Texas Medical Center to undergo surgery. Two friends of the victim were at the residence at the time of the shooting and advised officers that the victim had accidentally shot himself.

TYLER — Citizens can pick up their vouchers and participate in the annual Smith County Wide Clean-up Event April 11-16. The County Clean-up event is an opportunity for residents of Smith County to bring trash and bulky items to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. The Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, Precinct Constables, and Smith County Commissioners Court are working together to host the event. The County will provide vouchers to the public that are good for up to three cubic yards of trash per person, which is equal to a full-sized truck bed. Vouchers are available to pick up at all Justice of the Peace and Constable Precinct offices or the Commissioners Court Office in the Smith County Courthouse Annex. There is a limit of one voucher per household, and businesses may not participate in the voucher program.

The vouchers are good Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to noon the week of April 11-16. The vouchers come with a map to the landfill and a list of items that the Greenwood Farms Landfill, an Allied Waste Company, cannot accept. “We would like to thank Greenwood Farms Manager Zach Briscoe for providing us with this service every year. It is a benefit to the citizens of Smith County and helps us keep the trash off the roads and in the landfill, where it belongs,” Smith County Environmental Officer Tommy Goodman said. Items not accepted during the County Wide Clean-up include hazardous waste, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, gasoline, oils, paint, acid, batteries, asbestos, Freon, whole tires, refrigerators, freezers, televisions and computers.

For more information or to pick up your voucher, you can call (Tyler) Pct. 1 Constable Henry Jackson, 903-590-2609; (Noonday) Pct. 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, 903-590-4840; (Troup) Pct. 3 Constable Dustin Rust, 903-842-2664; (Winona) Pct. 4 Constable John Smith 903-590-4879; or (Lindale) Pct. 5 Constable Dennis Taylor, 903-590-4901.

TYLER — It’s the final day of Tyler’s annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trails. Among the showcase events: the 2011 Azalea Trails Arts and Crafts Fair at Bergfeld Park, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More than 90 vendors will offer handmade items such as pottery, clothing, jewelry, candles, floral arrangements, woodcrafts, oil paintings, and much, much more. You can go to http://www.tylerazaleatrail.com for more information on Azalea Trails.