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LONGVIEW – A prostitution deal that fell through has resulted in the arrest of a Dallas couple. Arrested were Airias Ellison, 23, and Sharika Hopson, 20. Police reports say they drove to Longview so Hopson could have sex for $2,000 with a man she met on line. The deal fell through when the man only had $200. The man said when he left the motel on Martin Luther King Boulevard; the couple chased him in their car. He then flagged down a police car and asked for help.

Hopson has been charged with prostitution and bond set at $1,000. Ellison’s bond is $11,000 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a building and promotion of prostitution.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A former Kilgore firefighter has been killed and two persons injured in a gas well site accident southwest of Chireno. According to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened when a high-pressure water line cap ruptured just before 8:00 Thursday morning at a site off County Road 445. KETK reports that Jeremiah Keith Neely, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to the Nacogdoches Medical Center. All three men were employees of Platinum Pressure Pumping and were part of a high-pressure pumping unit that uses salt water for fracking. One of the two survivors is in the hospital with serious injuries, while the other man left the hospital on his own.

BULLARD — A wreck between a Frito-Lay truck and a passenger vehicle sent both drivers to a Tyler hospital, according to DPS. The wreck happened during the 1:00 pm hour Thursday at the intersection of Farm Road 346 and the entrance to the Shady Brook community, near Bullard. According to KETK, a woman was pulling out from the entrance when her car went into oncoming traffic and ran head-on into the truck. Both drivers were conscious at the scene and were taken to the hospital by EMS.

LAKE PALESTINE — A mobile home near Lake Palestine is heavily damaged by fire. The blaze at 235 Woodhue Drive in Lakewood West caused damage to about 60% of the home, according to Lake Palestine East Fire Chief Mike Avis. According to KETK, no one was in the home when the fire broke out. An investigation into what caused the fire is now underway. Flint-Gresham and Bullard firefighters both assisted.

LONGVIEW — A group of Longview-area entrepreneurs is working to make natural gas fueling, a lower-cost and cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel, a reality for local motorists. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Independence Fuel Systems, an upstart Longview-based company, is ready to ante up a sizable investment to have its first compressed natural gas fueling station in operation by the fall.

Within a matter of months, the company plans to have three strategically located fueling stations in Gregg County, said Charles Neuberger, the company’s president. The company has executed agreements for setting up compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations at the Texas Best Travel Plaza on Eastman Road near the Interstate 20 exit; the Bar-K-Ranch Store on U.S. Highway 259 North; and the Gateway Travel Plaza at Interstate Highway 20 and Texas 42. “Our initial target market is going to be fleet business,” said Neuberger. “We feel that as more fueling stations are built, we’ll see more buy-in by consumers.”

LONGVIEW — Longview officials are investigating a stray bullet incident that damaged a firefighter’s personal vehicle at the Central Fire Station on Cotton Street. A Longview Fire Department spokesman tells KETK the firefighter woke up Thursday morning and found a bullet hole in his driver’s side windshield. The lone bullet was found resting on the passenger side of his truck’s dashboard. The firefighter reports last seeing his truck in normal condition around 11:30 Wednesday night. Investigators say the truck was parked just a few feet away from where the firefighter’s living quarters are located. Based on the trajectory of the slug and the location of the vehicle, authorities believe the stray bullet was from someone shooting in the air. No injuries were reported.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities say one person is in custody and one is sought following a Wills Point-area burglary. On Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene of a burglary in progress on Farm Road 1395. The homeowner arrived at his residence to find a gray step side Ford F-150 truck quickly pulling out of his driveway and heading towards Farm Road 47. As the homeowner approached his residence, he saw a man crawl out of his bedroom window and begin to flee on foot. The homeowner chased the man on foot but lost him. Deputies say they located the suspect north of the residence hiding in the brush. Tony Allen Lemmon, 37, of Wills Point was taken into custody and booked in on a charge of felony burglary of habitation with a $20,000 bond.

The second suspect who reportedly fled the scene in the truck was identified as Jeffery D. Littrell, a white male who is still at large. If you have any information that would assist the Sheriff’s Office with apprehending the other suspect, you’re asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133 or Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (567-7867).

TYLER — A local man makes sure no one in his community suffers in times of extreme heat. When the temperatures hit 95 degrees or above in Tyler, the Salvation Army opens its doors for people to cool off or even stay overnight. Phil Anderson with the Salvation Army says this is a way he can give back. Anderson says he’s had hard times himself, and someone helped him, so he’s doing likewise through the Salvation Army. The agency also runs a soup kitchen and hands out fans and bags of food for the needy.

AUSTIN — An elaborate plan to expand highways and airports across Texas gets approved by the political group which oversees the highway department. Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin of Tyler tells staff it’s important to look at how to connect more places than just along current interstates. He suggests taking a look at some of the east-west corridors, much as officials do on some of the north-south routes, such as I-69 and I-35. The state has compiled that document, which reaches out to the year 2035, as a way to connect remote Texas locations.

BIG SANDY — Governor Rick Perry spent part of Independence Day in Big Sandy. KETK reports he spoke for about 20 minutes at the New Beginnings Christian Church for an event hosted by the Big Sandy Rotary Club. The former Republican presidential candidate said, “There’s no better way to spend a holiday, and this truly is a special holiday for people across our great nation.”

Perry also remarked about the nation’s founding fathers. “Today,” he said, “we remember and celebrate the wisdom and the courage of our founding fathers who faced adversity and created a new nation, the greatest nation. I’m not going to say they get it right all the time in Washington D.C., because they don’t. But what a great country we live in. How blessed we are to wake up in a country that was founded on principles. Our founding fathers did get it right.” Governor Perry planned to spend the rest of the holiday in Austin.

JACKSONVILLE — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. That’s according to KETK.

The area included in this boil water notice is from the west end of County Road 3108 (Southshore Drive) to Antioch Church, including all of the area on County Road 3111 and Taylor Hill Road – County Road 3109; County Road 3113 (Summit Drive); from the intersection of Farm Road 747 South and CR 3111, continuing south on Farm Road 747 up to County Road 3211 (Earle’s Chapel Road), including County Roads 3205 and 3206.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you.

TYLER — A Smith County sheriff’s deputy’s son has been indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide and failure to stop and render aid in the December 2011 hit-and-run death of a 50-year-old Tyler man. According to KETK, police say Jared Stinecipher, 25, left the scene of a crash that killed Arthur Murphy of Tyler. Murphy later died at a Tyler hospital. Stinecipher was arrested after the hit-and-run for parole revocation. He remains in the Smith County Jail.

JACKSONVILLE — Questions abound as trouble continues at Lon Morris College. On Monday night, our news partner KETK received word of a new chapter in the saga, a bankruptcy filing. Currently, Lon Morris is under the care of Bridgepoint Consulting, a firm meant to help the school get its over-extended finances in order. They’ve hired a firm called Capstone Partners to help find another educational institution or strategic partner to team up with the college. Dean of Students David Hubbard was asked was asked what will happen to the name “Lon Morris” if such a deal is struck. His answer: “I’ve had that question asked before. I have no idea. I would certainly hope that the legacy could be preserved. The name as well as historical references.from just a historical standpoint.”

Hubbard also says Summer 2 is starting up with just online classes, and the restructuring firm is still working with the school’s debt situation. They hope to have a modified academic schedule starting in the fall.

GILMER — An Upshur County man is arrested for animal cruelty. According to KETK, deputies were called to Anthony Bassler’s home north of Ore City to investigate. When deputies arrived, they found a starved donkey and a goat hanging from a tree on the property. Bassler told them he was using the donkey as bait and it was already dead when he put it in the tree. According to law enforcement, “He did offer an explanation to what had taken place, but the evidence we saw at the scene did not support his story…and other witness statements did not corroborate his statements either.” Bassler was arrested in January 2009 on animal cruelty charges. A donkey and goat taken from his property were turned over to the SPCA.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Cherokee County home has been destroyed by fire. It was reported Tuesday afternoon on County Road 3511. Along with the house, around half an acre of land was also burned. KETK reports there were no injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — East Texas animal shelters are expecting a busy week after a booming Fourth. According to KETK, the unexpected and sudden loud sounds scare most dogs, and they can sometimes run away from home. The SPCA of East Texas has some examples of how to keep Rover relaxed. Spokespeople say dogs shouldn’t be kept in cars. They advise putting your small dog in a crate or an ex-pen, which is a big playpen in which small dogs can romp around. The SPCA says you can stake large dogs out on long leads and let them play, knowing they won’t escape should there be a sudden or loud noise. The SPCA adds the best option for pet owners is to stay with your dogs this Fourth of July and make sure they keep calm.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say they were called to a shooting at Willow Park on East Birdsong Road Tuesday afternoon. They tell KETK that when they arrived on scene, a car was speeding away. After a short chase, officers managed to stop the car in front of a house on Flannigan Street. There were four people in the car, as well as an assault rifle and two handguns. Police say all four were arrested; their names have not been released. The car had multiple bullet holes. The incident is still under investigation, but police do say the people at the house on Flannigan Street are not related to the incident.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teenager has been arrested after troopers said he led officers on a chase in his vehicle, rammed a patrol car and attempted to pull a knife on them. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested Lucas Dane Stevens, 18, after he fled during a traffic stop at about 10:00 Monday night near Jaycee Drive and Texas 31, according to arrest reports. After stopping, authorities say, Stevens took off in his vehicle. During the pursuit, he allegedly rammed a patrol car and attempted to stab an officer. According to officials, Stevens was found to be on meth. He’s charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest, and a slew of other crimes.

TROUP — Crews get a structure fire under control at Neckover Trailer Manufacturing in Troup, and they’re now busy assessing the damage. At least one building has been lost. Smith County officials tell KETK that Whitehouse, Arp, Troup, and Jacksonville firefighters headed to the scene in the 900 block of South Railroad. Authorities closed Highway 135 South from Troup to Jacksonville while they fought the blaze. All utilities at Neckover were shut off, and all employees were sent home. An employee of Neckover said the fire started from grinding sparks. Fire crews said the blaze began in the paint shop, where four painters were at work. All four got out safely.

TYLER – Tyler school Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid has been named the sole finalist for the superintendent’s job in the Keller school district. The Keller ISD Board of Trustees made the decision last night. Dr. Reid has been the TISD Superintendent for the past five years.

“I am proud of the accomplishments we have made at Tyler ISD during my tenure as Superintendent,” Dr. Reid stated. “The teachers and staff here truly care about our students, and it is rewarding to work with such dedicated professionals.”

“We wish Dr. Reid great success in his new endeavor as he leads Keller ISD,” Reverend Orenthia Mason, Vice President of the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees, said. “Now we have a task ahead of us in selecting another outstanding leader for Tyler ISD,” she continued.

Keller ISD is located in Keller, Texas. The district has 39 campuses serving more than 33,000 students with over 3,400 employees. By state law, the Keller ISD Board of Trustees must wait 21 days before finalizing their decision for superintendent.

JACKSONVILLE – Lon Morris College in Jacksonville has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The action comes after over a year of financial turmoil which has seen all but 11 of is employees furloughed. According to a release from the school’s consulting firm:

Lon Morris College filed a voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy petition today in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, case number 12-60557.

The College has experienced negative cash flow in recent years by overextending itself in an attempt to increase enrollment, taking on significant debt. The College recently hired Capstone Partners to facilitate a transaction with another educational institution or strategic partner, which the school is trying to complete this summer.

The College is continuing to work on its financial restructuring efforts, however, the timing of the filing was necessitated by a foreclosure proceeding on certain dormitories scheduled to proceed Tuesday, July 3. Dawn Ragan of Bridgepoint Consulting, the Chief Restructuring Officer, said “Lon Morris continues to receive strong support from many of its creditors, as well as its faculty and employees, and the general community.

We are operating with core staff, and continue to work on a modified academic program that will continue compliance with the SACS accreditation policies for the upcoming academic year.” With the filing of the petition, the College may now concentrate on finding a partner or consummating a transaction that will allow the college to continue its core mission of educating students, as it will realize some relief from its creditors.

The bankruptcy filing will put off legal or collection actions against the college. The petition was filed by the Chief Restructuring Officer. The case has been assigned to Judge Parker in Tyler.

CANTON — Investigators with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office have issued a warrant for a Clint Wayne Mills of Wills Point in reference to an attempted aggravated sexual assault. It occurred on County Road 3502 in August, 2004. Circumstances leading up to the subsequent warrant was the evidence that was submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety for analysis and entered into the Combined DNA Index System. The database was able to make a match with the evidence, to the DNA profile of Mills. He is currently incarcerated with The Texas Department of Criminal Justice on unrelated charges and is due to be released at anytime where he will then be transported back to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office with a recommended $50,000 bond.

KILGORE — Thousands turn out to pay respects to East Texas police instructor Les Ferguson. He died last week in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 31 near I-20. Since 1990, Ferguson had worked as a range master for the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore. Those attending the memorial service tell KETK News his death is a big loss for East Texas.

FRANKSTON — One of the people mentioned on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” has been captured in Frankston. According to a release from the show, Brian Maurice Fuller of Wichita Falls has already served time in federal prison. According to authorities, on January 25, 2010, Fuller pulled into the parking lot of a Whole Foods in an upscale neighborhood in Dallas along with a man named Timothy Walters. Authorities say Walters got out of Fuller’s car and attacked customer Jil Katz in the parking lot, taking a necklace and a diamond ring. Police arrested both Fuller and Walters, but a judge allowed Fuller out on bail, awaiting trial.

Authorities arrested Fuller as the result of tips received by the AMW hotline. Anderson County officials tell KETK they captured Fuller on Sunday with the help of a Dallas fugitive task force, DPS, and U.S. Marshals. Officials say Fuller is currently in the Anderson County Jail and will be turned over to Dallas County in the next 10 days.

TYLER – A retired Tyler dentist remains jailed after being charged with murder in the death of his wife. Booked into the Smith County jail was Dr. Bobby Nichols, 76. Just after 9:00 Friday night, officers answered a 911 call to 3417 Allen. There they found the body of Rosiland Nichols, 71. She had died from an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators say they have determined that around 5:00 Friday afternoon, Dr. Nichols arrived at his home. After a short while, police say, he and his wife got into an argument. According to authorities, Dr. Nichols went out to his vehicle sometime later to get his gun and went back into the residence. After further argument, Dr. Nichols allegedly shot his wife twice. She died of her injuries. Bond has been set at $750,000.

LONGVIEW — In its sixth season, LeTourneau University’s S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center announces its 2012-2013 Performance Series lineup, featuring nine shows. This year’s Performance Series features concerts by The Midtown Men, Michael Bolton, and the California and Montreal Guitar Trios; music of Buddy Holly; the clean comedy of Sinbad; the drama “Of Mice and Men”; and musical theatre including “Shrek the Musical” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” plus a special season event presentation of Celtic Woman.

This year also marks the third year of the School and Family Series, featuring programs for all ages including a two-part performance that includes “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Tortoise & the Hare,” as well as a performance of classically trained violinists known as Black Violin. Season tickets are now on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale for all shows Aug. 1. You can go to http://www.letu.edu for more information.

HARRISON COUNTY — Harrison County investigators have been notified by the family of Jason Dillard that he has returned home and all efforts to locate him have been called-off. According to KETK, he is currently in Liberty City with his family. Officials said he is not injured and appears to be in good health, per his mother. The 36-year-old was reported missing June 17th after his abandoned vehicle was discovered.

TYLER – Smith County District Clerk Lois Rogers says the jury pools scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled. She says those who have been called for jury duty on July 2nd and 3rd will not have to come to the courthouse until they receive another summons. This is for Smith County only.

LONGVIEW – One person has been arrested following a weekend shooting in Longview. It happened around 8:00 Saturday night in the 800 block of Sylvan Drive. Police were told that two subjects had gotten into an altercation. One of them produced a weapon and fired at least one shot, striking the victim in the leg. The victim’s injuries were non-life threatening and the victim was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. The suspect, identified as Ryan Hedrick, 25, of Longview, was arrested by officers a short time later on a traffic stop. Hedrick was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and transported to the Gregg County Jail.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman has been arrested after being accused of threatening to find and kill a pregnant woman and take her baby to raise as her own. The suspect is said to have bought duct tape, latex gloves, and knives which she planned to use to commit the crime. Witnesses said the suspect, later identified as Tanya Lynette Bradley 30, told family members she was pregnant. Bradley told witnesses she was going to tell her family she had the baby on Thursday. Bradley was arrested on two charges of criminal attempt to commit capital murder and booked into the Gregg County Jail.