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WORTHAM (AP) – The son of slain Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland says his father kept a gun “in every room of his house” but couldn’t reach one when his killer or killers slipped into his home because he had put the weapons away hours before. J.R. McLelland told The Dallas Morning News the guns had been stored for the protection of visitors attending a party the night before. McLelland says he believes that, had the weapons been in their normal spots, his father likely would have tried to reach one. Mike McLelland (pictured) and his wife Cynthia were found shot to death March 30. Those slayings occurred two months after Assistant DA Mark Hasse was gunned down outside the county courthouse. No arrests have been made in either case.

GRAPEVINE — The state’s top law enforcement officer makes his first comments about the murders of public officials in Kaufman County. Attorney General Greg Abbott made a promise during remarks at a Tarrant County Tea Party event in Grapevine. Abbott said, “We are going to track down these murderers and bring them to justice to protect the men and women who prosecute these criminals in the first place and put them behind bars.” Meanwhile, at the capitol, a bill that would make killing a district attorney in Texas a death penalty offense got a House committee hearing. If passed, though, it would not apply to the murders of DA Mike McLelland and Assistant DA Mark Hasse.

WELLS — Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department have made two arrests in connection with the burglary of the City Hall building in Wells. KETK reports that on November 26, 2012, deputies were called to the scene at City Hall, where the glass had been broken out of the front door, and burglars had entered the building. Once they gained access, the burglars stole an undisclosed amount of cash, checks, and money orders.

Authorities suspect that Willian Todd Pounds, 47, and Joshua Kerry Rains, 27, both of Wells, may have been involved. Investigators arrested Pounds and Rains at their house in Wells, and charged them with burglary of a building. The charge is a state jail felony offense. They could face up to two years behind bars if convicted. In addition to confinement, they could be fined up to $10,000.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County has exceeded its 2012-2013 campaign goal of $1.7 million by $3,000. The news came Tuesday at the agency’s Annual Campaign Celebration & Awards Luncheon in the Rose Heights Church Fellowship Hall. According to information from the local United Way, the goal was surpassed “thanks to literally thousands of donors in Smith County.” Along with the announcement of money raised, the event recognized local businesses, donors and volunteers who contributed to the campaign.

TYLER — Officials are putting out the word that the Smith County Veterans Services Office has moved to a new location in downtown Tyler. Full services are now available in the new location at 210 East Ferguson. The former Veterans Services Office location in the Cotton Belt Building at 1517 West Front Street is no longer open. Officials say the new downtown office location offers customers convenient parking and street level access as well as an expanded customer service area. You can call the Veterans Services Office at 903-590-2950 for more information.

HOUSTON (AP) — Guy Lewis has difficulty speaking because of recent strokes. But the huge grin on the face of the former Houston coach, and Arp native, on Tuesday conveyed his elation at finally being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a day before.

Lewis, 91, coached the Cougars for 30 years, but is best known for leading the Phi Slama Jama teams in the 1980s.

His daughter Sherry Lewis says, “It’s pure joy and we’re not even upset that it took so long … dad is used to winning in overtime.”

The event was attended by former player Elvin Hayes, a fellow Hall of Famer. Hayes had campaigned for Lewis’s election and boycotted all events related to the Hall since his induction in 1990 because Lewis hadn’t received the honor.

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – A Texas convict with a lengthy criminal history has been executed for fatally shooting a man and raping the slain man’s fiancee. Fifty-year-old Rickey Lynn Lewis of Tyler received a lethal injection Tuesday evening for the murder of 45-year-old George Newman more than 22 years ago. Newman’s slaying and the rape of Newman’s fiancee took place at their home in a rural area of Smith County. Lewis had been in and out of prison five times in less than seven years when he was arrested three days after Newman was killed in September 1990. No last-day appeals were filed to try to delay the punishment. It’s the second execution in Texas this year. At least 11 others are scheduled for the coming months.

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about the future of Parks, Open Space, Recreation, and Lakes in the community. Residents may provide input in two ways:

· By going to http://www.Tyler1st.org and taking a quick survey.

· At a Public Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 16 at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St.

Officials say the purpose of the survey and public open house is to seek citizen input on the importance and quality of Parks and Open Space as well as future needs. City officials say they’ll analyze the input and incorporate the citizen feedback into their decision process during the Tyler 1st Comprehensive Plan update.

Tyler 1st, originally Tyler 21, is the City’s comprehensive plan. Go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/ and click on the News tab for more information.

SMITH COUNTY — One person is dead following a two vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 271, just south of Interstate Highway 20. The crash happened around 1:15 Monday afternoon. DPS Trooper Jean Dark says a passenger car was struck by a pickup after pulling onto the northbound side of the highway. The driver of the car was killed. The driver of the pickup was hospitalized for what were termed “non-incapacitating injuries”; his passenger was treated at the scene. The northbound lanes were blocked for a time but reopened late Monday afternoon. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a reported shooting. Around 9:00 Monday night officers responded to the 1000 block of North Bois d Arc in reference to an aggravated assault call. Officers learned that the victims Monica Christian and Neambi Hunter were involved in an ongoing disturbance with the suspects Tony Traylor (pictured), 20, and James Clark, 19. The victims were fleeing from the suspects in their vehicle.

According to police, the suspects approached the victims and Traylor is said to have produced a handgun and fired into the vehicle striking Monica Christian in the arm. The victims also suffered minor injuries from flying glass. Both victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries at local hospitals.

Taylor was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and aggravated assault. Clark was arrested and charged with Possession of a controlled substance. This case remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been charged in connection with a weekend shooting that sent one person to the hospital. Larry Donnell Davis, 49, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The shooting happened around 5:15 Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Davis Street. Arriving officers were told a man had been shot once in the head with a handgun. The suspect left the area prior to the officer’s arrival. The suspect, identified as Davis, was located a short time later in the 2300 block of 12th Street. The victim was said to have been alert when taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. His name has not been released.

LONGVIEW — A registered sex offender who broke into a LeTourneau University dorm will spend 10 years in prison after reaching a plea agreement. Robert Roy “Trey” Saurenmann III, 53, was arrested in November 2011 after he broke into Tyler Residence Hall and tried to take improper pictures. No students were harmed and no property was stolen following Saurenmann’s entrance into the dorm. It was unclear what he was trying to photograph in the dorm. Saurenmann was charged with burglary of a habitation.

At the time, faculty credited students with aiding in his arrest after they saw Saurenmann, recognized the man was out of place and called police. Saurenmann has been in the Gregg County Jail more than two dozen times since 1985 on charges ranging from aggravated kidnapping to drug possession. In 2001, he was convicted of indecency with a child and served a six-year prison sentence.

LONGVIEW — Representatives with the Office of Civil Rights, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, was in Longview Monday, investigating the Longview School District. The feds are looking into whether the district is in violation of the U.S. Title IX anti-discrimination statutes. They interviewed school personnel and students and looked over district facilities and equipment. They were checking for gender equity in compliance with Title IX. Instituted in 1972, Title IX bans discrimination in sports and academics based on gender.

BURLESON — The Burleson Police Department issued a Silver Alert Monday for a missing woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is Carole Kunclrs, 66, who left her home in Burleson around 4:00 yesterday afternoon heading to Fort Worth. Her family believes she may be on Interstate Highway 20 since they received a call from her around 9:00 last night and she said she saw a road sign that said “Canton.” Kunclrs is described as 5-feet 2-inches tall, 220 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. If you have seen this lady you are asked to contact your local law enforcement agency.

KAUFMAN — Family members of the Kaufman County murder victims want to see the reward for information at $1 million, saying the current $200,000 is insignificant. Kaufman County Crime Stoppers board member Dirk Gibbs says, “There’s a lot of speculation and people talking out of school…about things they don’t understand or don’t have full knowledge of.” Crime Stoppers in Kaufman County is an all-volunteer organization. Gibbs adds, “We need the support of our community, and it’s very important because we don’t get federal, state, or local funding.” You can also go to http://www.kaufmancountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip or a donation online.

TYLER — Smith County is continuing to seek public input and priorities from citizens on all county-related services and issues. Commissioners will host a community-wide meeting Tuesday to encourage public input, information, and ideas concerning county services. A short questionnaire is also available on the Smith County Website. Smith County officials plan to use the information gathered during the Public Input Project for the upcoming budget year and in long-term comprehensive planning. “We want to create an open platform for the citizens of Smith County to make their priorities known,” Smith County Judge Joel Baker said, “and, in turn, use the information we receive to prioritize projects and create specific long-term goals and measurements for county services.”

All citizens within Smith County are encouraged to fill out a short “Public Input Form” online at http://www.smith-county.com or at the community meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Smith County multi-purpose facility located at 304 E. Ferguson. Citizens can also give input by calling their designated Precinct Commissioner directly at 903-590-4605. “We know there are a lot of citizens who may have county-related concerns, issues and ideas, but their schedule may not allow them to attend regular meetings of the Commissioners Court,” Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said. “We want to hear from everyone who has information or ideas and use that information to guide our decisions as we plan for the future of Smith County.”

The surveys, which can be filled out anonymously online, will be available to fill out electronically through April 9. Hard copies of the survey will be available at the community input meeting. Citizens can also pick up a “Community Input Form” at the County Courthouse Annex or contact their County Commissioner to receive a form via email.

NEW YORK (AP) – General Electric Co. will buy the oilfield equipment maker Lufkin Industries, Inc. for about $3 billion, furthering an effort by GE to grow its oil and gas operations. GE said Monday it would pay Lufkin shareholders $88.50 per share in the all-cash deal, a 38 percent premium over Lufkin’s closing price on Friday of $63.93. The companies value the deal at $3.3 billion. CEO Jeff Immelt is in the process of transforming GE from a sprawling conglomerate to one that is more tightly focused on providing services and equipment to industrial customers. The company has shed divisions such as NBC Universal and is shrinking its banking operations. At the same time, GE is trying to grow its energy-related operations. Lufkin, based in Lufkin, Texas, makes pumping equipment that helps drillers extract more oil out of older oil fields.

HOUSTON (AP) — Federal authorities have ordered a Houston-based food producer to cease operations until it improves products possibly contaminated by “filth.” The federal Food and Drug Administration found that shrimp egg rolls may have been “injurious to health.” Chung’s cannot process, prepare, package or distribute food until improvements are made.

LAS VEGAS (AP/Staff) – More honors are handed out to country music superstar and Lindale native Miranda Lambert. Sunday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Lambert was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the fourth consecutive time. Her recording of “Over You” was chosen as Single Record of the Year.

WINONA — The investigation continues after three children were killed in an early morning house fire in Winona. It happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Kay Street. Winona Fire Chief Nelson Brumley tells KETK the fire started in the living room and spread to the kitchen. The mother and father grabbed four of the eight children in the home and got them to safety. But 9-year-old Colby Watson, 6-year old Riley Hickman, and 4-year old Jax Davidson were still asleep in the back bedroom and did not survive. A relative says the father has been released from the hospital. We’re told an 8-year old boy is still in the LSU intensive care unit and the mother remains in critical condition in a Tyler hospital.

LONGVIEW — An accident in Longview has left one person dead. The vehicle/pedestrian accident occurred shortly before 1:45 yesterday morning in the 1100 block of West Marshall. Witnesses tell police Anson Fuller, 30, of Longview, had been inside the Cloud Nine Club and was asked to leave because he was causing a disturbance. As he was crossing the roadway he was struck by a pickup driven by Calob Player, 20, of White Oak. Fuller was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center where he later died.

CHAPEL HILL — Three Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies were treated at ETMC-Tyler for injuries and exposure to blood after responding to a call of an assault in the Chapel Hill area. Around 3:30 yesterday morning, deputies responded to a call in the 12000 block of Farm Road 3226, where a woman reported she was cut with a knife by her husband. After arriving on the scene, deputies noticed blood outside the residence and a shattered glass door at the front of the home. Deputies heard a male’s voice inside and after locating the man, saw he was covered in blood and appeared to be intoxicated. Deputies ordered the man to lie down on the ground, but they say he refused and had to be subdued. The injured wife was found hiding outside the residence, but she refused medical treatment.

The man was transported by EMS to ETMC-Tyler for treatment. After his release, he will be booked in to the Smith County Jail on charges of assault, family violence and resisting arrest. The three Smith County Deputies were taken to ETMC-Tyler for medical evaluation after one suffered a knee injury and two were exposed to blood. The identities of those involved are being withheld pending arraignment and further investigation.

TYLER — Nine people, including adults and juveniles, have been taken into custody in a Smith County burglary case. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call just before 10:30 Saturday night. at a residence in the 11600 block of County Road 1121. A resident at that location reported that several individuals were causing a major disturbance, were breaking into the resident’s vehicle, and were attempting to break into the residence. The four deputies who responded to the scene took nine suspects into custody. Five are juveniles and four are adults. All are facing charges, including burglary of a vehicle and criminal mischief. The names of the suspects are being withheld pending arraignment and additional investigation.

TYLER — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz was in Tyler Saturday evening. KETK reports he discussed the 13-hour filibuster over the drone program, his fight to protect American’s Second Amendment rights, and his efforts to defund and repeal Obamacare. Sen. Cruz said all of his efforts in Washington so far could not have been accomplished without the help of the people of Texas. The senator is visiting cities all across the state, and felt strongly about stopping in Tyler.

Senator Cruz says there are enormous challenges in our country right now and it’s time to restore economic growth and stand for principle. “East Texas is such a vital region to the state .My job is to represent every citizen in Tyler and every citizen in East Texas and 26 million Texans. I’m spending every day trying to travel the state, listening to people’s concerns and stand up for Texas, fight for our rights and fight for our constitution,” said Sen. Cruz.

Senator Cruz also talked about the national debt, saying his number one priority is to restore economic growth. “Over the last four years, our economy has grown 0.8% a year,” he said. “23 million people are out of work because the economy isn’t growing. Republicans and Democrats should work together to reform our taxes, to limit the burden and complexity of our taxes and to lift the regulatory burden off of small businesses.” Cruz said the only other period since WWII where our country had four consecutive years of less than 1% economic growth was from 1979-1982. He said how to fix this is by following the policies of President Reagan’s administration. “Limit the growth of government spending, cut taxes and simplify our tax code, reduce regulation, unchain the private sector and allow small businesses to flourish. Growth is the key to opportunity,” said Cruz.

And of course, there was the topic of gun control. Cruz fired back at California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s proposed ban on assault weapons, saying his goal is to safeguard the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. Cruz along with Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Mike Lee sent a letter to Sen. Harry Reid stating that the three of them would use any procedural needs necessary, including another filibuster, to stop any legislation that violates citizens’ Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman has been arrested, accused of assault of a public servant and other charges. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Holly Sheppard, 21, was arrested about 9:30 Friday night in her home in the 3200 block of State Highway 31 by Kilgore police. In addition to assault of a public servant, police charged Sheppard with resisting arrest or transport and interfering with public duties. She was held Saturday in the Gregg County Jail on more than $18,000 in bonds. Further details on the case weren’t immediately available.

LONGVIEW — You’ve heard of three strikes and you’re out. Well, how about four husbands and you’re sent to prison, especially if you’re married to them all at the same time? Candice Andrade, 32, of Kilgore got a year in prison for each husband after being found guilty of polygamy.

According to Gregg County prosecutor Chris Botto, Andrade told the judge “she was just looking for the fairy tale and she just kept marrying different men ’cause she always thought she could do better.” Botto says Andrade is a drug addict and a liar, and that she married the men for their money, without bothering to file for divorce or sign off on divorce documents filed by her husbands. He says it all came to light when one of her husbands filed a police report claiming Andrade was a bigamist, and two more came forward. All the men live in East Texas.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College communications and media students swept the competition at their annual state conference, taking the top honors in their division. The students won First Place for Overall Excellence for Newspaper Division 4, as well as Sweepstakes for Newspaper Division 4, Sweepstakes for Online Division 4, and Best of Show for Newspaper Division 3, during the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) conference April 3-6 in Fort Worth. In addition, judges named Editor in Chief Taylor Griffin as Reporter of the Year for Division II. Griffin also received a scholarship during the ceremony. The students placed in an array of categories from design and layout, to news and sports feature writing, to photography and online multimedia packages.

“I am proud of my students who showed that TJC is preparing them with the tools to succeed in a an ever-changing news business,” said Laura Krantz, TJC department chair of Communications & Student Media. “These students are the future of journalism, and it was exciting to see them use their talents to compete against two- and four-year schools from across Texas.”

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Authorities say University of Texas receiver Kendall Sanders, an Athens native, has been arrested on a drunken driving charge. Brazos County records show that Sanders was booked into the county jail in Bryan just after 5 Saturday morning and released on $3,000 bond before 8:00. In a statement Sunday, Longhorns coach Mack Brown said UT would monitor the situation. Brown said UT would “do what’s best for the university, Kendall and the team” when the legal process is complete. Jail records don’t show whether Sanders has an attorney.

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

KILGORE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1252 between State Highway 135 and State Highway 42, then on Wednesday are scheduled to move to U.S. Highway 259-Kilgore Relief Route to make pavement repairs near Synergy Park. The work at Synergy Park will require a daytime closure of the bypass between US 259 north of Kilgore and Farm Road 349. A marked detour will be in place while work is in progress, sending southbound traffic past the US 259 bypass entrance and then left at the SH 31/FM 349 intersection, and then onto the bypass at FM 349. Northbound traffic will exit at FM 349, turn toward Kilgore, then north toward Longview at SH 31/US 259 intersection. The work, which is scheduled to take three days to complete, in preparation for a second project to add a turn lane at Synergy Park, which is scheduled to let to contact in August.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base pavement repairs in various locations in both directions on Interstate Highway 20 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 14. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform surface-sealing operations on Interstate Highway 20 in various locations between Farm Road 1255 east of Canton and the Smith County Line. Elsewhere, contract crews are still at work making base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 773 between IH 20 and Ben Wheeler, and construction crews are at work on Farm Road 17 between IH 20 near Canton and State Highway 110 in Grand Saline, and on Farm Road 2339 between Farm Road 1861 and Farm Road 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 782 between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola and on Loop 564 in Mineola. A second crew is scheduled to make pavement and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 779 northwest of Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 773 at its intersection with State Highway 31 in Murchison. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on U.S. Highway 175 in and around Frankston, and on Farm Road 855 between Cuney and Mount Selman. A second crew is scheduled to continue making base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1911 between U.S. Highway 69 north of Wells and the end of state maintenance. Also this week in Cherokee County, construction crews are scheduled to continue work to add shoulders to State Highway 110 between U.S. Highway 79 in New Summerfield and U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk, and on State Highway 294 between Alto and the Anderson County Line. 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 make base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 837 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 315, and Farm Road 320 between Farm Road 645 to U.S. Highway 79. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

MARSHALL — A Marshall woman was arrested Friday after allegedly shooting at police officers. KETK reports authorities arrested Kelly Ann Tibbetts, 32, for attempted capital murder of a peace officer. On Friday, around 3:48 p.m., the Marshall Police Department responded to a call in the 700 Block of West Burleson Street in reference to a woman who barricaded herself inside her home and was allegedly armed. As the standoff continued, it was learned that Tibbetts was armed with a rifle, according to police. Several rounds were reportedly fired by Tibbetts. Officers say they were able to manage the situation after a short time. They say Tibbetts surrendered, exited the house without incident, and was taken to the Harrison County Jail.

Attempted capital murder of a peace officer is a 1st degree felony and punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more that 99 years or less that five years and a possible fine not to exceed $10,000.