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MARSHALL – In state district court in Marshall on Monday, Gary Lynn Gorman, 36, pleaded guilty to escaping from the Harrison County Jail. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his escape. In June Gorman was with a crew that took out trash to the jail dumpster and he didn’t return. He was spotted in the Woodlawn area of Harrison County a few days later. A DPS helicopter, with infrared radar, found him hiding in some brush and directed ground crews to his location. As he attempted to flee, he was tackled by a sheriff’s deputy who held him until other officers arrived. His mother has also been arrested. Donna Slinkard, 58, has been charged with hindering apprehension. She is said to have harbored Gorman during some of the time he had escaped. She is scheduled for jury selection on December 3rd.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three persons to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The board is responsible for regulating the practice of chiropractic. Among those named to the board was Debra White, D.C. of Nacogdoches. She was named for a term set to expire on February 1, 2023. Dr White is the owner of Advanced Chiropractic Center.

TYLER — A Tyler teen has been indicted for impersonating a public servant. According to our news partner KETK, back in February of this year, Tyler police arrested a man who they say impersonated an officer and tried to pull a victim over at gunpoint at the intersection of Highway 64 Loop 323. The victim told police the driver had activated red and blue lights on the dash. They were able to record the suspect’s license plate as he left the area. Later, an officer located the suspect vehicle at the intersection of South Broadway and Loop 323. Officers stopped the vehicle and discovered a red and blue strobe light. Khristian Welch, 18, of Tyler, admitted to pulling the victims over after he says they ran a red light. Welch was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on one count of impersonating a public servant. He released the same day on a $20,000 surety bond.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted after stabbing a man at a local American Legion. According to our news partner KETK, on February 4, around 11:50 p.m., Tyler officers responded to an aggravated assault call at the American Legion on North Gaston. Police found a man stabbed in the abdomen. Witnesses said Richard Lamont Evaige, 67, of Tyler, pulled a knife and stabbing the victim following an altercation. The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. Evaige was later found at his residence and arrested. A Smith County grand jury indicted Evaige on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER – Educators with Tyler school system will soon have the chance to further their own education as part of a new joint program with the University of Texas at Tyler. The TeamONE Tyler program, which is called the Tyler ISD Leadership Pipeline Initiative, was announced on Monday. It paves the way for a select group of Tyler ISD educators to earn their master’s degree through UT Tyler online programs. The Tyler ISD will shoulder the cost of the program, at no cost to the educations enrolled in the program. They must make a 3 year commitment to ensure they remain in Tyler school system for at least that time.

TYLER – The Literacy Council of Tyler is excited about the results of their annual assessment by the Texas Workforce Commission they have just received. They exceeded state averages in every measurable category. The performance summary measures the success of each program by rates of student retention and student progress. They say they owe their success in large part to their volunteers and donors. Continue reading High Marks for the Literacy Council of Tyler

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is very pleased with the results of its drug take back event last Saturday. They dropped off 6 boxes, 116 lbs, of unused and expired medications at the DEA office Monday morning. They still have their permanent dropbox located in the lobby of the police department. They say it is available 24/7.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a fugitive. April Nicole Moore is wanted for burglary with intent to commit assault and interference with emergency request for assistance. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to call detective Josh Hill at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW – A Gilmer police officer is free on bond after being charged with driving while intoxicated. Arrested in Longview around 2:15 Sunday morning was Cody Davidson, 24. He first was stopped for a traffic violation. When the officer smelled alcohol, a sobriety test was administered. Gilmer police have started an internal investigation and Davidson has been placed on administrative leave.

TYLER – North American Midway Entertainment, which has its corporate headquarters in Farmland, Indiana, has signed a three-year contract to continue to be the Midway provider for the East Texas State Fair in Tyler. The company describes itself as “the world’s largest traveling outdoor amusement park.” Danny Huston, owner of North American Midway Entertainment, said they bring “40 rides and tons of games and food to the East Texas State Fair.

TYLER — Some local reaction is coming in to the multi-fatality mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Rabbi Neal Katz of Tyler’s Congregation Beth El says it is a shame that the world has come to this. Katz says though his temple has never experienced a tragedy of this scope, you can never be too careful. He tells our news partner KETK, “We work with local law enforcement to make sure that our building is safe in terms of active shooter drills and make sure we have security. And we make sure that we have people here who have license to carry.” Katz is running for a state House seat against incumbent Matt Schaefer. Over the weekend, Schaefer tweeted, “My family is praying for our fellow Americans impacted by the evil act at the synagogue in Pittsburgh. Everyone, let’s stop and pray for them.”

WHITEHOUSE – Highway 110 between Troup and Whitehouse was closed for a while today. It was closed when an oversized load pulled down a power line at the intersection of State Highway 110 and Farm Road 344. Now that the problem has been repaired, the highway has been reopened.

TYLER – A Smith County teen has been arrested in connection with a fatal Smith County accident. Dante Devaughn Roberson, 18, of Troup, was booked into the Smith County Jail on Saturday. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and his bond was set at $300,000. In August, Roberson was involved in a three vehicle accident on Highway 110, south of Whitehouse. Killed in the accident was a motorcyclist, Murray Clark, 51, of Whitehouse. The Department of Public Safety says Roberson’s car swerved into Clark’s lane and hit him and then hit a pickup driven by a Whitehouse man.

KILGORE – A former Kilgore High School students has been arrested in connection with several school threats made on social media. Kilgore police announced Monday David Alexander Nelson, 19, of Longview, was arrested in the Elderville community on Friday. He has been charged with making a terroristic threat. He could face five additional charges. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail under a $500,000. Besides the threat to the high school made on Snapchat, over a period of a couple of days, he is said to have used Snapchat to send threats of violence to various students. Kilgore police say Nelson confessed to creating the post as a prank.

RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County Sheriff’s office officials have arrested James Paul Calvert. Calvert, 47, was on the run for two counts of child sexual assault, burglary of habitation and escape. According to our news partner KETK, several agencies were searching for the suspect. He was brought into custody around 9 p.m. Sunday.

TYLER – Here’s a look at road work planned in the Tyler district of TxDOT during the week of October 29th. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Nighttime pavement marking operations continue Tyler. The contractor is utilizing slow-moving mobile operations to install new pavement markings. Work is being conducted from 8:00pm to 6:00am, Sunday through Thursday nights until the project is completed. Brief delays are possible. Continue reading TxDOT Road Update

KILGORE – We should learn more on Monday about a suspect who is in custody in connection with a Kilgore school threat. Kilgore police say the suspect is facing multiple felony charges. They said the suspect was an adult male, a former student, and that his name will not be released until he has been formally charged and arraigned. According to a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page, “This was a whirlwind investigation. Interfacing with Snap Chap and Google was not easy. Steps were taken by the suspect to conceal his true identity, but perseverance by Det. John Rowe paid off.” And they added, the threat has been stopped. The plan is to put out an official news release on Monday. Continue reading Kilgore School Threat Suspect Arrested

TYLER – The gas station at 1808 West Gentry Parkway was robbed Saturday night. It happened around 10:45pm. A thin black male walked into the station and covered his face and pulled a black handgun. He walked behind the counter and demanded money. He left in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money and other items. He was said to be about 5”08 to 6”0 tall and weighed around 160 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie and black jogging pants with white stripes. No injuries were reported.

PECOS – A Smith County theft suspect is in custody in Reeves County Texas. Arrested in Pecos was Ashley Stephens, 33, who also known as Ashley Boyd. She is said to have stolen over $60,000 from a business in the Lindale area. She had been reported to be living in the Mineola area and had changed her appearance to avoid capture. No word on when she will be returned to Smith County.

LONGVIEW – A Disturbance at a Longview hotel has resulted in one arrest. It occurred at the Homewood Suites on Spur 63. Just after 11:00 Saturday morning, a man, who was possibly armed, came into the lobby and “ran behind the counter and barricaded himself.” Longview Police activated the SWAT and Crisis Intervention Teams. Members of the SWAT team took the suspect into custody without further incident. He was transported to a hospital. No injuries were reported. No other details were released.

LONGVIEW – Ricky Ray Caraway, 52, was arrested by Longview Police Friday afternoon. Around 5:45, the police responded to a welfare check in the 200 block of East Loop 281. Caraway was walking along the loop and was contacted by several persons who were checking on his welfare. When he indicated he had a bomb, the loop was temporarily closed. When they discovered there was no bomb, Caraway was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under a $2,500 bond.

QUITMAN – The Upshur County District Attorney has been named acting prosecutor by an administrative district judge regarding a complaint against the Wood County District Attorney’s Office. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, On October 9, the Upshur County District Attorney requested the Texas Rangers conduct an investigation related to the Wood County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is currently available.

VAN – Some counterfeit money has been turning up in Van. The police department is asking people to inspect the money before accepting cash. According to the department Facebook page, $20 bills and at least one $100 bill have turned up at businesses in Van.

KILGORE – A suspect is in custody in connection with a Kilgore school threat. They tracked him to a residence in Rusk County. Kilgore police say the suspect is facing multiple felony charges. They said, since it is still unfolding, they would not give out a lot of details at this time. They did say the suspect was an adult male, a former student, and that his name will not be released until he has been formally charged and arraigned. Continue reading Kilgore School Threat Suspect Arrested

TYLER – A Tyler jury has given a Tarrant County man three life sentences in a fatal Smith County accident. The panel found Gilberto Gomez, 27, of Saginaw guilty of three counts of intoxication manslaughter. The jury sentenced him on Friday. The wreck he was involved in, which occurred in February, killed three persons and an unborn baby. The accident was on State Highway 110, 8 miles west of Lindale. The Department of Public Safety reports the pickup, driven by Gomez, was heading south when it crossed over the double yellow lines and hit a northbound car. Two Lindale residents, and their unborn child, in the car were killed as was a passenger in the Gomez truck.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches County escapee is back in custody. Arrested early Friday afternoon was Robin Copeland, 56, of Nacogdoches. She had escaped Wednesday after being taken to the hospital after making a medical complaint. A manhunt started around 7:00 Thursday night after she was spotted on foot. A search all night turned up no trace of the woman. Early Friday afternoon a resident saw her inside an abandoned vehicle behind her house. Within minutes of the arrival of sheriff’s deputies, she was taken into custody. Copeland has been transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained while running through the woods all night. She will then be transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail and booked in for escape along with her other original charges.

LONGVIEW – A former East Texas teacher has been arrested following an investigation of local and state authorities. The Texas Rangers assisted in the investigation of Lauren Nicole Nolan, 24, of Longview. She is in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $50,000. The charges are improper relationship between and educator and a student, and online solicitation of a minor. The former Carthage Junior High School teacher was placed on administrative leave in March. She submitted her resignation, which was effective in the summer. More information about the charges were not immediately available.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman has been sentenced in a fatal Gregg County accident. State District Judge David Brabham found Ellen Virginia Hicks, 34, guilty of criminal negligent homicide. He sentenced her on Thursday to 5 years probation. The Department of Public Safety says Hicks was driving her car above the speed limit the morning of November 30, 2015, when she became distracted by a dog in her car. Her car then crossed into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a car nearly head-on. The driver of that car, an Avinger woman, later died at a Longview hospital.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department and the DEA are hosting a medication drop off. It will be Saturday from 10:00 till 2:00 in the northeast parking lot of the Broadway Square Mall. This is a good way to get unused and expired medications out of your home so they won’t be a temptation to children. The medications include prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medicine, vitamins, minerals and medication samples. Just drive-up, and, without getting out of your vehicle, you can drop off the medications for safe disposal, no questions asked. And, the service is free.