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WINONA — A boil water notice has been canceled for a portion of Smith County. It was for customers of Star Mountain Water Supply in Winona and Starville. It was issued when a water main broke in the area on Friday. The break was repaired, and water company officials notified KTBB around midday Monday that customers no longer need to boil their water.

LONGVIEW — A Longview employer is shutting it’s doors. The Longview News-Journal reports Flextronics plans on closing by the end of March. The company builds components for Motorola cell phones and employs about eighty people. Flextronics is moving the work to its other plants in Texas. The company is offering employees transfer opportunities or severance packages.

TYLER — Smith County’s downtown jail expansion has made quite a lot of progress since construction began in August 2012. KETK reports it took almost two decades to get the $35 million bond approved by taxpayers, but the vision is finally coming to fruition. Phase one has already been completed at the low-risk facility which includes video visitation, the kitchen, and the laundry. And now county commissioners are working with the architects, contractors, and sheriff’s office on finishing up the downtown facility. Officials say they “just couldn’t be more pleased the way it’s turned out.” Continue reading Jail Construction Moves Forward

NACOGDOCHES — An accident on another wet East Texas road has left one person dead and one injured. The crash occurred on Saturday on U.S. Highway 259 North of Nacogdoches. Dead at the scene was James Larry Bobo, 73, of Nacogdoches. The driver of the other car, Matja Domenicia Young, 28, of Longview, is in stable condition in a Nacogdoches hospital. The Department of Public Safety reports Bobo was traveling north when his car drifted across the center stripes and hit Young’s car.

LONGVIEW — A man arrested by Longview police for public intoxication is facing an additional charge. Samuel Fields, 52, of Longview, was arrested Saturday night near Electra Street. During a pat down at the Gregg County Jail, a pistol was found in Fields’ pocket. He has now been charged with possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution. His bond was set at $5,000.

TYLER — A two vehicle accident in Smith County has killed a Tyler man on his 57th birthday. Ignacio Gaona died at East Texas Medical Center following the Saturday morning accident. Three persons were injured. The accident occurred on Farm Road 346 just west of U.S. Highway 69. According to state trooper Chris Brown, Gaona’s west bound car hydroplaned on the wet road and collided with an east bound pickup.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested four persons in the robbery of a pizza delivery man. The robbery occurred on Morrison Street early Saturday morning. Arrested were Robert Lee Thomas, 23, (pictured) and Adrian Keko Stanford, 18, both of Longview. Thomas’ Bond was set at $25,000 and the bond for Stanford was $15,000. Two juveniles were also taken into custody. They were all arrested around midnight Saturday. The delivery man, who was said to have been attacked by the four, was not seriously injured.

AUSTIN — Now that the State Department has raised no environmental objections to the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, Texas Governor Rick Perry says it’s time to move the project forward. Lucy Nashed with the governor’s office says, “If, as the president said in his State of the Union speech, he truly wants this to be a year of action, there would be no better way to kick it off than with authorizing the construction of this important project.” According to Nashed, one more environmental impact study is awaited before construction could begin. The southern leg of the pipeline runs through much of East Texas, including part of eastern Smith County. That leg began transporting oil last month.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 15 between Troup and the Rusk County Line. Elsewhere, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 in Red Springs. 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 zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County volunteer firefighters were out in force Saturday, raising funds for injured Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley. They passed the helmets at intersections around the county, and raised $30,000, which will go toward his recovery and expenses. Yeakley was critically burned while battling a house fire last month. He has already undergone two skin graft surgeries at Dallas’s Parkland Hospital but still has several more to go. There’s no timeline on how long Yeakley will remain hospitalized, but the Lindale community and others are rallying around his recovery. Several benefits are already lined up in Lindale in the coming months. You can find out the many ways you can help by going to the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindale-Fire-Department/271420960613

CARTHAGE (AP) — An East Texas judge has sealed documents that could lead to a sentencing change in a murder case that inspired Richard Linklater’s film “Bernie.” The Longview News-Journal reports state District Judge Charles Dickerson recused himself from a murder case against Bernie Tiede after sealing the writ of habeas corpus. Such documents allow a defendant to air grievances such as ineffective legal representation or new evidence. Dickerson represented the estate of Marjorie Nugent. Tiede was convicted of killing the 81-year-old woman and keeping her body in a freezer for nine months. A hearing has been set for Wednesday in Carthage in Tiede’s case. If the new judge decides arguments in the case need resolution, the case will go to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

LUFKIN — A head on collision just north of Lufkin has killed one driver and injured another. The accident happened around 5:30 Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 69. Killed was Charles Motes , 69, of Lufkin. The Department of Public Safety reports Motes south bound car drifted into the north bound lane and collided with a car driven by Josh Huddleston, 20, of Pollok. He was hospitalized with minor injuries.

NACOGDOCHES — What started as a routine traffic stop in Nacogdoches turned into a drug bust. The car was stopped in the 400 block of Northwest Loop 224. According to a news release from the police department, when officers searched the vehicle they found about 20 pounds of marijuana and a handgun. Arrested was the car’s driver, Luis Torres, Jr., 19, of Smyrna, Georgia, and his passengers, Pedro Santiesteban, 25, of South Bend, Indiana, and Christina Garza, 18 of Houston.

TYLER — Beginning Saturday, Smith County property owners who still haven’t made their property tax payments will have to pay extra. Friday was the last day to get those payments in free of extra charges. KETK reports that starting February 1, you’ll have to pay penalties and interest on any unpaid amount. The county does accept partial payments.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada has cleared a significant hurdle after the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction. The department’s report was released Friday. It says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed regardless of U.S. action on the pipeline and other options to get the oil from western Canada to Texas Gulf Coast refineries are worse for the environment. The southern leg of the pipeline runs through much of East Texas, including part of eastern Smith County; it began transporting oil earlier this year. Continue reading Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Clears Significant Hurdle

LONGVIEW — Longview Animal Control and the Humane Society are considering pursuing an animal cruelty case after a dog was dropped off with an embedded collar. KETK reports Nickolas was brought into the Humane Society of Northeast Texas Thursday, with the embedded collar almost reaching his trachea. An infection had set in causing swelling up to his head. Nickolas has injuries to his body, not particularly indicating the results of fighting, and an ear closed up due to infection, according to officials. Despite all the torment the dog has allegedly gone through, Humane Society staffers say he is totally people-friendly, gives his paw to shake hands on command, grins at you, and has a wonderful personality. Nickolas was due for treatment Friday.

KILGORE — Kilgore restaurants are one step closer to selling mixed drinks without restrictions. KETK reports a petition to eliminate the private club law got its needed 1,200 signatures and was turned in at City Hall. Now Kilgore’s city council will bring it to a vote. If approved, the measure moves to a ballot, with Kilgore voters getting the final say. If the measure does head to the ballot, voters will make their choice in May.

LONGVIEW — Partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and supported by Longview Partners in Prevention the Longview Police Department conducted some off-premise minor stings Wednesday between 4 and 8 p.m. A total of 48 locations were checked. Police say seven alcohol retailers sold an alcoholic beverage to a minor. Continue reading Police: Seven Local Stores Sell to Minors During Recent Sting

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas will host an open house for its new spay/neuter clinic and the formal launch of its SNIPPET program on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at 3405 NNE Loop 323 in Tyler. A lunch buffet catered by Fresh will be served, and tours of the clinic will be conducted. The SPCA of East Texas received an $85,000 equipment grant coupled with a $10,000 training grant from PetSmart Charities for the outfitting of the surgery suite with what’s termed brand new state-of-the-art equipment. S.N.I.P.P.E.T. stands for Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership Project of East Texas. It’s focusing on the reduction of unwanted litters in the community, which in turn brings down the homeless pet overpopulation and the extremely high rate of euthanasia by local animal control agencies, according to an SPCA news release. Continue reading SPCA to Hold Open House for Grand Opening of New Spay/Neuter Clinic

HENDERSON — A suspected bandit who reportedly tried making his getaway on two wheels is behind bars in Henderson. KETK reports the armed robbery happened just before 1:00 Wednesday afternoon at the Rite Track convenience store on Highway 79. Police say 40-year-old Ellis Kitchen pulled a gun and demanded cash from the clerk. The clerk handed over the cash, and police say Kitchen took off on his bicycle but was caught a short time later.

WOOD COUNTY — Early morning fires caused big destruction Friday morning and shut down Highway 80 eastbound for several hours, just outside of Mineola. According to Mineola Fire Chief David Madsen, the fires broke out around 4:00 a.m. Friday and crews were called to the 2000 block of East Highway 80, near the East Loop 564 overpass. A brick home, mobile home, and a couple of cars were destroyed as a result of the blazes. Luckily, there were no injuries. Chief Madsen tells KETK he is not sure what caused the fires and it is unclear whether or not state officials will investigate the incident.

BEAUMONT – Two suspects from Nacogdoches and one from Mineola were named as a task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement began arresting 32 defendants charged with RICO and immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Houston Thursday. Among those charged in the indictment are Zeng Yu Huang, 50, of Mineola; Selena Ling Feng, 37, of Nacogdoches; and Zongxian Zhu, 41, of Nacogdoches. Continue reading Three East Texans Named in Human Smuggling Ring

ALBA — The Alba Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects connected with the theft of tractors from a local business. KETK reports two Kubota M7060 tractors with front end loaders were stolen from Alba Tractor on Highway 69 at around 8:30 Tuesday night. Surveillance video shows two men cutting the lock off of the gate, entering the property and loading one tractor onto a trailer. They returned about four and half hours later to steal a second one. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the City of Alba Police Department at 903-765-3300 or Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274). If your information leads to the identification of the persons responsible for this theft, you may be eligible to receive up to $1,000.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to 99 years in prison after being found guilty of felony DWI. KETK reports that according to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office, Esaw Lampkin, 45, was given his sentence after the jury heard he had four prior DWI convictions and nine prior felony convictions. The trial was conducted in the 124th District Court and was presided over by Judge Alfonso Charles. Chris Botto and Chris Parker represented the state.

TYLER — A Tyler woman has died after being hit by a pickup. The accident occurred in the 1400 block of East Gentry Parkway Shortly before 7:00 yesterday morning. Died, after being taken to a Tyler hospital, was Minerba Esmeralda Moreno-Barron, 35. Police say she was crossing the road heading from west to east when she was hit in the inside southbound lane. Investigators say she was not using the crosswalk that was provided for pedestrian traffic approximately 90 feet away from where she was hit. The pickup’s driver, Esteban Segura Cruz, 42, of Tyler, was not cited since he was found not to be at fault.

LONGVIEW — A General Election for City of Longview City Council Districts 3 and 4 will be held on Saturday, May 10. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot between January 29 and February 28. The last day for a regular write-in candidate to declare candidacy for the General Election is February 28, 2014. Candidates may file during normal office hours at the City of Longview City Secretary’s office, located at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St. As of January 29, Kasha Williams has filed to run in District 3, and Kristen Ishihara has done likewise in District 4. For more information about the City of Longview General Election, visit http://www.LongviewTexas.gov or contact the City Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1080.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated another significant milestone in its history with a preliminary enrollment of 7,193 for spring 2014, President Rodney H. Mabry, announced. This is the first time UT Tyler has surpassed the 7,000 mark during a spring semester. Last spring, the total headcount was 6,581. “We are excited to see such strong growth for the spring semester. We are among the fastest growing universities in Texas, and it speaks to the quality of our institution that our numbers continue to rise. I am proud of our dedicated faculty and staff, who strive to make UT Tyler a place where students can feel comfortable and be successful,” President Mabry said. Continue reading UT Tyler Spring Enrollment over 7,000

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police they’ve got the goods against the suspected gunman in a Monday morning killing. KETK reports they found the gun they believe 36-year-old Decobie Durden used to kill 32-year-old Deveston Flemon and 33-year-old William Cole. The gun was discovered in a stand of trees near where the shooting occcurred at the Eastwood Terrace Apartments off Santa Fe Place. Durden is charged with capital murder, and the case is headed to the district attorney for prosecution.

NACOGDOCHES — Two Lufkin men are now behind bars in Nacogdoches after deputies conducted a 6 hours manhunt for the two men. According to KETK, a call came in at 9:00 Tuesday night regarding a drive-by shooting at Hills drive-thru on Highway 59 South n Nacogdoches County. Two Hispanic males reportedly shot at a man and woman who were outside the store in the process of closing the business. Both suspects fled the scene on Highway 59 in a black Honda. Continue reading Two Arrested After East Texas Drive-By