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TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed the Food Fast convenience store at 6424 South Broadway shortly before 9:45 Friday night. Store employee’s told officers that a black male entered the store, grabbed one of the workers and demanded money from the cashier. His hand was reportedly covered with some type of rag or shirt and there appeared to be a gun underneath it. An undisclosed amount of money was placed inside a bag and the suspect left behind the store. Authorities said right before the robbery occurred, an employee noticed an older model white, 4 door sedan parked behind the building. The suspect’s face was concealed with a light colored stocking cap. The employees were unharmed during the incident. The suspect was described as a black male, between 5’8-5’10, approximately 150lbs with black hair. He did have a goatee and was wearing a dark brown sweater and dark pants.

GREGG COUNTY — A woman from central Texas remained in the Gregg County Jail on Friday on multiple charges from multiple counties. Tracey Teer Guerrero, 42, of Comfort was booked Thursday into the jail after police responded to a shoplifting call about 11 a.m. at the Walmart in the 500 block of East Loop 281, according to Longview police reports
The woman had eight forms of identification and credit cards that belonged to other people, police said. Walmart employees told police they saw the woman and a man “select various items from the business” and try to leave without paying, police said. Continue reading Central Texas Woman Faces Theft, ID Fraud Charges

HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man died in a single car wreck in Harrison County early Saturday morning, according to Trooper Brittany Holloway with the Texas Department of Public Safety. According to the Longview News-Journal, Jose Vega, 22, was driving a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer at about 3:30 a.m. along Gum Springs Road when he entered into a curve and the car flipped, Holloway said. There were no passengers or other vehicles involved. Vega was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle at the time of the crash. The wreck is under investigation.

AUSTIN (AP) – A series of gun-related laws take effect in Texas on Sunday. The changes include reduced training hours to get a concealed handgun license, easier renewal, and arming of school marshals at public and charter schools.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Pro-Tem Martin Heines Friday announced his intention to run for Mayor in the May 2014 election. Current Mayor Barbara Bass is not seeking re-election due to term limits. Heines is the first announced candidate for the post in next May’s election. Heines, 50, a Tyler native, is a small business owner and property manager/investor currently in his second term as Tyler City Councilman for District 4. He’s also served on the Council Audit Committee and the Council Building/Economic Development Committee. Continue reading Heines Running for Mayor

LONGVIEW — The biggest percentage change of residents without health insurance in East Texas is in Smith County, where 27.2 percent of residents were without insurance in 2010. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that number fell to 24.8 percent in 2011. The new numbers come from U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday based on 2011 figures. Data also show the percentage of uninsured people in Gregg County decreased from 25.7 percent in 2010 to 24.1 percent in 2011. Continue reading Survey Shows Uninsured Rates in East Texas

EAST TEXAS — According to Wood County and Cherokee County officials, the counties are now under burn bans. KETK reports all outdoor burning in those counties is prohibited until further notice. There are currently 141 Texas counties under outdoor burning bans, including a number in East Texas.

TYLER — A ribbon cutting ceremony Friday afternoon marked the completion of renovations to the new Community Supervision & Corrections (Adult Probation) Department at 217 East Line Street in downtown Tyler. The building features more than 15,000 square feet of office space for the probation department employees and includes training classrooms and additional parking for probationers. Continue reading Probation Office Moving to Revitalized Downtown Building

HENDERSON — A man is behind bars in Rusk County after law enforcement officials found drugs and a stolen motorcycle while executing a search warrant Thursday. KETK reports Corey Edwards aka “EWOK,” 34, of Henderson, was arrested on scene and charged with possession of marijuana. Additional narcotics charges, as well as charges of being in possession of the stolen motorcycle are pending. Deputies say it happened in the 600 block of Brown Street in Henderson. Confiscated during the search warrant were marijuana, drug paraphernalia, money, and prescription controlled substances, according to officials. Authorities also discovered a motorcycle that has been reported as stolen out of Bell County. Continue reading Henderson Man Jailed after Deputies Find Drugs, Stolen Motorcycle

ATHENS — A Trinity Valley Community College football player has been injured when hit by a truck while crossing the street. Ugonna Nwarie, 19, was using a crosswalk Wednesday morning around 7:45 when hit by the truck which failed to yield the right of way. The driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Nwarie was taken to East Texas Medical Center Athens for treatment of a broken leg.

KILGORE — The arrest report from the Kilgore Police Department says Willie Clarence Sims admitted to the choking of Amanda Woods. According to KETK, police say Sims confessed to accidentally strangling Woods when she asked him to choke her while she smoked crack because it increased her high. Sims said that he then used a belt to choke Woods and that when she collapsed and died, he began to panic. He said he put Woods in her car and drove her to the area where she was found on FM 349. Sims then reportedly went to a friend’s house and called police. When he first spoke to police, he gave several different accounts of the story before finally confessing, according to law enforcement. Continue reading Police: Suspect Admits Strangling Woman in Kilgore

ATHENS — A former Mabank resident, Steven Joe Clowdus, 31, has pleaded to the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for placement of a serial number with intent to change the identity of a vehicle. The plea took place in Henderson County’s 173rd Judicial District Court. Continue reading Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fictitious Vehicle ID

MARSHALL — Harrison County officials say three people were arrested Wednesday night following a probe into a broad-based drug distribution ring. According to KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office reportedly seized several pounds of marijuana, numerous packages of marijuana ready for distribution, over 200 grams of methamphetamine, stolen weapons, stolen televisions, cell phones used for distribution, and money from the suspects. Galen Durden, 20, Camesha Robinson, 26, and Ivan Daniels, Jr., 18, are said to be members of the drug distribution ring on which officials say they gained information on throughout a lengthy investigation. Continue reading Authorities: Three Arrested in Major Drug Distribution Scheme

MARSHALL – A couple from Guerrero, Mexico, currently living in Marshall, have been sentenced to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Julia Flores Saucedo, 33, pleaded guilty Jan. 20; her common-law husband, Oscar Diaz-Mendoza, 35, pleaded guilty Feb. 28. Each was sentenced Wednesday in Marshall to 46 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Continue reading Mexican Couple Sentenced for Harrison County Drug Trafficking

MARSHALL – A 29-year-old Sinaloa, Mexico, man currently residing in Marshall, has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Joeli Higuera Fernandez pleaded guilty on May 3, 2013, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison Wednesday in Marshall by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Fernandez was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of $15,000 in currency. Continue reading Mexican National Sentenced in East Texas Meth Conspiracy

TYLER — There are some adjustments to a Smith County burn ban extension announced earlier this week. Those include clarification of the start date, an extra warning for offenders, and a heightened drought index. The Commissioners Court has issued an order to extend the existing burn ban for 90 days, starting Thursday, August 29. The court will have an option to repeal the order prior to the 90th day, if conditions allow. Continue reading Burn Ban Extended For Smith County, Effective Thursday

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have released a photo of murder suspect Elisha “EJ” Williams, 18, of Tyler after securing a warrant for his arrest. Williams was allegedly involved in the shooting death of Briana Raquel Young, who was shot in P.T. Cole Park on Tuesday, July 30. KETK reports Judge Jack Skeen set Williams’s bond at $1,000,000. Investigators have still not been able to locate Williams and need your help in locating him. Anyone with information about Williams or any other further details related to this case 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 the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case.

TYLER – Four persons have been charged with burglary of a habitation in conjunction with an incident Wednesday on Smith County Road 4142. They are Devante Montreal Veasey, age 21; Nathaniel Montez Dorsey, age 23; Ariel De’ja Raibon, age 21; and Maurice Phillips, age 21. Charges are pending on one other man whose identity will be released later, according to officials. Continue reading Four Suspects’ Names Released in Foiled Burglary

AUSTIN — On Wednesday afternoon, Texas Governor Rick Perry hosted a formal signing ceremony for SB 162– also known as the ‘Chris Kyle’ bill –continuing the effort to help ease employment challenges for active duty military members and their spouses. Continue reading Gov. Perry Signs “Chris Kyle” Bill Developed by ETX Rep

GREENVILLE — An amber alert for three-year-old boy, thought to be in grave and immediate danger, has been discontinued. Greenville authorities had said Aaron William Josiah Sneed was taken by his father, Jacob Aaron Sneed, 39. Greenville police say the man has threatened to crash his car in hopes of killing himself and his son. The two were last seen around 7:30 Wednesday night in Greenville. When the Amber Alert was canceled Thursday morning, authorities reported the father and the boy were located at the home of the man’s grandfather in Missouri. Both were said to be okay and in good condition.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police have arrested a man accused of demanding money from the clerk of a convenience store. Michael Lee Randolph, 42, of Nacogdoches, is said to have demanded the money from the cash register. The incident is said to have occurred just before 11:00 Tuesday night at Rudy’s convenience store on the loop and Center Highway. When a customer came in the store, the clerk called police, who arrived while the suspect was still in the store. Randolph was arrested and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on a robbery charge.

TYLER — A 45-year-old Yantis woman has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations in east Texas. Lucretia Beth Brown pleaded guilty on February 14, 2013, to conspiracy to deal firearms without recording the without keeping records. She was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Co-defendant Andrea Jaine Burns London, 51, of Yantis, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2013, to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing. Continue reading Wood County Gun Dealer Sentenced for Federal Firearms Violations

TYLER — The president and chief executive officer of Fair Oil Company, Bob Garrett, has been named chairman of the UT Health Northeast Development Board. Garrett succeeds Herb Buie, who led the board for 10 years. “First we want to thank Herb Buie for the outstanding job he did on our development board. And I am very excited to have Bob Garrett elected as our new board chairman,” said Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun, president of UT Health Northeast. “His energy, enthusiasm, and passion will inspire our 900 employees, scientists, and physicians to do an even better job for our patients and our community,” Dr. Calhoun said. Continue reading Bob Garrett to Chair UT Health Northeast Development Board

JEFFERSON — According to the Visit Jefferson Texas Facebook page, the first “Bed and Breakfast” in Texas caught fire early Wednesday morning. KETK reports the legendary Pride House in Jefferson sustained major damage in the blaze. Details are limited at this time, but we’ll update information as it becomes available.

HIDEAWAY — Neighbors in Hide-A-Way Lake, near Lindale, say they’re confused and upset about a recent investigation. It culminated with the firing of the property’s general manager. One resident who wants to remain anonymous tells KETK, “Everything’s on lock — it’s become this big secretive thing.” The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the community after receiving a complaint that the maintenance supervisor was getting a 50% kickback to cut down trees in the neighborhood. The resident also says the general manager of Hide-A-Way Lake, Dennis Godoy, has now been fired — and she claims this isn’t the first time she has been unhappy with the way things are run in her community. Continue reading Hide-A-Way Lake Probe Concerns Residents

TEXARKANA (AP) – A federal judge says a northeast Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is competent to stand trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven said Shannon Guess Richardson is mentally competent for a trial during a brief hearing Wednesday in Texarkana. Richardson is accused of sending the letters to Obama, Bloomberg and a man who heads Bloomberg’s gun control organization. Richardson also pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of mailing a threatening communication and one count of making a threat against the President of the United States. A federal affidavit alleges Richardson called authorities to implicate her husband before she was arrested in June in Mt. Pleasant. Richardson’s next court hearing is Sept. 11.

TYLER – A 40-year-old Mineola man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Larry James Hooks, Jr., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Wednesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. According to federal officials, on July 19, 2012, Hooks conspired with others to acquire and distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. Hooks admitted to being responsible for assisting in the distribution of more than 34.8 grams of pure methamphetamine. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 27, 2013, charging Hooks and two others with drug trafficking violations. Hooks faces a minimum of five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

ARMSTRONG COUNTY — Authorities say a Most Wanted Sex Offender with East Texas ties was captured this week in the Texas Panhandle after being on the lam for about two years. According to KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety reports Doug Otis Sims, 32, of Center, was caught by deputies in Armstrong County on Monday. Officials say Sims attempted to evade police by using electrical tape to alter the numbers on his license plate. Continue reading Most Wanted Sex Offender from East Texas Caught in Panhandle

WHITEHOUSE– The Whitehouse municipal fire department is under ‘fire’ for a delayed response time when called to 207 Senter Avenue on Sunday, August 18th. Fire officials tell KETK, the blaze started around 1:00 a.m., that night, the homeowners were able to make it out on time, however their house was a total loss. Continue reading Fire Department Criticized for Response Time

LUFKIN — The name of the man found in a burned truck in Lufkin has been officially identified. DNA testing has confired that Efren Mora Elizondo, 47, of Lufkin, the vehicle owner, was the victim of the August 14 murder and vehicle fire. Continue reading Name of Man Found in Burned Truck Released