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TYLER — Dozens turned out at Gallery Main Street in downtown Tyler Thursday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city’s half-cent sales tax. City Engineer Carter Delleney says the word “legacy” came to mind as he chatted with the other attendees — including some who helped put the half-cent sales tax in motion. He noted that about $170 million worth of capital improvement projects have been funded by the tax. Voters approved the tax Nov. 7, 1995, to fund capital infrastructure projects that officials say enhance the community and attract economic development. Continue reading Tyler Celebrates Half-Cent Sales Tax’s 20th Anniversary

KILGORE — Police are investigating an aggravated robbery in Kilgore. Kilgore Police said an armed man entered the Zippy J’s on State Highway 135 North around 10:45 Thursday night. He was reportedly wearing a ski mask and took an undisclosed amount of cash. According to KETK, the suspect was driving an older model black Ford Expedition. No injuries were reported. Contact police with any information.

DIBOLL (AP) – Georgia-Pacific has closed its fiberboard manufacturing plant in the East Texas town of Diboll and laid off all 90 workers. The Atlanta-based wood and fiber products company on Thursday shut the plant and encouraged workers to seek jobs at other Georgia-Pacific units in East Texas. Spokesman Eric Abercrombie says Georgia-Pacific has about 1,600 employees in the area. Abercrombie says the Diboll fiberboard unit, which has not been operating for a couple of weeks, suffered weather-related damage in recent storms and also had a small kiln fire in October. He says Georgia-Pacific decided to close the plant, built in 1958, due to current economic conditions and the cost of improvements needed at the facility.

TYLER – One of three persons injured in a wreck on the Tyler loop on Wednesday, has died. Anastasia Hilliard, 45, of Whitehouse, died Thursday morning in a Tyler hospital. The accident happened in front of the TJC’s Regional Training and Development Complex. Police say a truck crossed over the median and hit Hilliard’s SUV head on. The truck’s driver, Jesus Gonzalez, 26, of Brazoria, and his passenger, Rodolfo Mendoza, were both injured. At last report, both were in stable condition.

LIBERTY CITY — A Tatum man says the body pulled from a Gregg County creek on Wednesday was that of his son. Tony Beason told the Longview News-Journal he used cellphone coordinates to find the body. His son, Tommy Dale Beason, 30, was last seen on October 27th. He was reported missing a few days later. Authorities have not confirmed that the body found in Little Caney Creek was that of Beason’s son. The body, which appears to have been in the water for some time, was badly decomposed. The body was sent to Tyler for autopsy. They will be using dental records and DNA to positively identify the body.

MARSHALL — A Houston woman has been indicted on a charge of murder in the Marshall highway death of an East Texas man. KETK reports Sharketra Shardae Hildreth, 30, was involved in a pre-dawn May 23 crash that killed Todd Lane Davis near the intersection of U.S. 59 and U.S. 80. Police said a vehicle driven by Hildreth was headed south when she disregarded a traffic light and hit Davis’s vehicle, which was traveling east. At the time of the wreck, Hildreth’s children, both minors, were in the car with their mother. Hildreth was arrested at a family court hearing in Houston.

TYLER – Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said it’s “been another great year” for TISD in his State of the District update Wednesday. Crawford addressed a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Rose Garden Center. According to a news release, topics included the recently completed BOND2013 construction projects – including a new Career and Technology Center along with the District’s first new middle school in 50 years. Crawford also covered fiscal accountability, student achievement, new or revised programs, community partners, district plans and goals, and future challenges and opportunities. Crawford said, “We have plans and people in place to continue this progress while also addressing the areas needing improvement going forward. The amount of support we have from this wonderful community plays a huge role in the success of our students.”

Also at the luncheon, the district partnered with the Tyler Area Business-Education to present the 2015 Community Partner of the Year Award to The Mentoring Alliance. The Mentoring Alliance provides three types of volunteer based mentoring programs: Gospel Village, Boys and Girls Clubs of East Texas and Rose City Summer Camps. Additionally, Senator Kevin Eltife; Rev. Orenthia Mason, director of alumni affairs at Texas College and pastor of St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; and Lonny Uzzell, vice president of Southside Bank, were named 2015 Distinguished Alumni by Tyler ISD, the Tyler ISD Foundation and the Tyler Area Business-Education Council. Mason also serves on the TISD Board of Trustees.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Police Department has received two notices of concern regarding a male offering rides to female students and then using that opportunity to try to take sexual advantage of them. That’s according to an email sent to students, and college officials say the advisory applies to both the Kilgore and Longview campuses. Officials say all students are cautioned not to accept rides or place themselves in vulnerable situations with individuals with whom they are not very well acquainted. Any students who have any concerns or questions about safety on the campuses are urged to contact the KCPD at (903) 983-8650.

LUFKIN — Lifelong East Texas Republican rancher and businessman Simon Winston filed Thursday to challenge incumbent Congressman Louie Gohmert in the 2016 GOP primary. According to press materials, Winston manages the Winston 8 Ranch outside Lufkin, as well as timber and other small business concerns. As quoted in a news release, Winston says, “Congress is a circus right now, and Louie Gohmert’s one of the main clowns.” He also claims Gohmert is “no longer working for East Texas.” Winston says he has been a community leader for philanthropic efforts in Angelina and Nacogdoches counties. He adds that he’ll work “to fight for the people of East Texas and their conservative values.” Gohmert didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from KTBB.

LONGVIEW — The deal is off with a development firm in Houston that in June offered $2 million to buy the former Holiday Inn property at Estes Parkway and Interstate 20. Longview Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Susan Mazarakes-Gill said this week that the 6.62 acres on Estes Parkway is no longer under contract with Baker Katz and again is for sale, according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “Baker Katz was working on a concept more akin to a shopping center but gradually determined the location is not conducive to that kind of retail,” she said. “Their due diligence period was coming to a end, so we agreed to release them from their contract and pursue other possibilities.”

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man who admitted to having sex with two adolescent boys has been sentenced to life in prison. Jeffrey Lawrence MacDonald, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two lesser abuse charges at the beginning of his trial Tuesday. According to KETK, he was sentenced to life in prison for each of the first-degree felony charges and 20 years each for both second degree counts of sexual assault and indecency with a child. All four charges arose from sexual encounters MacDonald had with two brothers, ages 13 and 14, in September 2014 and December 2014. One of those was captured on a video camera MacDonald knew was in his bedroom inside a home on West Loop 281 in Longview.

RUSK – No charges will be filed in a fatal vehicle/pedestrian accident in Cherokee County. The accident happened on U.S. Highway 69 in Rusk just before 8:45 Tuesday night. Killed as she attempted to cross the road was Devin Clakley, 21, of Rusk. It was the driver of the vehicle that hit her who called 911 to report the accident.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department will be getting a new Assistant Police Chief. The department has announced that Lieutenant Anthony Boone will be promoted in a ceremony that will be held next Tuesday. The ceremony will be held at the Longview Municipal Courtroom located at 302 West Cotton Street at 10:00am.

TYLER — A reception will be held today from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gallery Main Street downtown to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city of Tyler’s half-cent sales tax. The come-and-go event is open to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Voters approved the tax Nov. 7, 1995, to fund capital infrastructure projects that officials say enhance the community and attract economic development. Continue reading Half-Cent Sales Tax Marks 20th Anniversary

SMITH COUNTY — A suspect in a Sunday murder in Angelina County has been captured in Smith County. According to KETK, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office says U.S. marshals caught Terry “Chris” Criswell. More details about his arrest were pending. Criswell is accused of killing Kevin Moore, 37, outside Annie Mae’s Club in Cedar Grove early Sunday morning. His vehicle was discovered by Lufkin police on Monday afternoon at a home where he was supposedly hiding out.

PALESTINE (AP/Staff) – The lone survivor of an attack that left six dead at an East Texas campsite has told authorities that the suspect had drinks with the blended family before suddenly producing a gun and firing on them. An arrest warrant provided Wednesday by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office reveals that 33-year-old William Hudson (pictured) was drinking with the group Saturday when he accompanied four of them into surrounding woods. The warrant says Cynthia Johnson told sheriff’s deputies that she heard gunshots before Hudson returned alone to the campsite and chased her husband and daughter into a travel camper, where he shot them. Johnson ran into the woods and eventually made a 911 call. Hudson is being held on $2.5 million bond. It wasn’t clear Wednesday whether he has an attorney. Continue reading Warrant: Suspect Drank with Campsite Victims, then Shot Them

TYLER — Ranchers and livestock producers in Smith, Upshur, & Gregg counties may be eligible for assistance from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses incurred this year. That word came Wednesday in a news release from the County Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Smith-Upshur-Gregg County, Chris Lynn. Lynn says the three counties recently met qualifying drought ratings that trigger eligibility for the program on improved pasture, native pasture, and sorghum forage. Continue reading Some Area Livestock Producers May Qualify for Drought Disaster Help

AUSTIN – State Representative Dan Flynn, R-Van, filed for re-election Wednesday at the Republican Party of Texas Headquarters in Austin. Flynn is chairman of the House Committee on Pensions. According to a news release, he says he’s pleased that legislators in this year’s session “prioritized public education, and fought to protect innocent life and religious freedom.” He also points to water issues, transportation, and a balanced budget as key items addressed in the session. Flynn says ongoing challenges include funding of public education and healthcare, oil and gas price declines, and immigration issues. Flynn has no announced opposition thus far.

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County teen has been wounded and his brother is in custody in the incident. The shooting happened near the intersection of Cedar Ridge Drive and Bent Oak Lane around 5:00 Tuesday afternoon. Investigators says a 14 and 16 year old boy got into an argument when the younger boy got a hand gun and shot his brother in the leg. The boy was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 14 year old is being held at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. He is being charged with aggravated assault.

LONGVIEW – A Kilgore man who admitted to having sex with two boys has been sentenced to life in prison. That was the punishment hand out yesterday to Jeffrey Lawrence McDonald, 38. He was sentenced by state district judge David Brabham. McDonald had pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two lesser abuse charges. The charges stem from encounters McDonald had with 13 and 14 year old brothers in September and December of last year. One of the encounters was captured on a video camera McDonald had in his bedroom.

BEREA, OHIO (AP/STAFF) – The NFL says Browns quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel will not be disciplined for a domestic incident last month. The league investigated whether Manziel had violated its personal conduct policy during a roadside argument with his girlfriend on October 12. In a statement released Tuesday, the league said it reviewed information from law enforcement and conducted interviews with Manziel and his girlfriend. The league said it “concluded that there is an insufficient basis on which to take disciplinary action.” Manziel, who has been promoted to be Cleveland’s full-time starter for the remainder of the season, was facing a possible fine or suspension. Manziel told police he had been drinking before the disagreement. He was not arrested.

KILGORE – Kilgore College Fire Academy No. 96 will hold its graduation ceremony 6:30 this evening in the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. There are 21 students who are candidates for graduation. Continue reading Kilgore College Fire Academy Graduation

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse Fire Chief Madison Johnson and City Secretary Stefani Wright will team up to handle interim city manager duties while a replacement is sought for Kevin Huckabee (pictured). That’s according to KETK. Huckabee’s resignation as city manager was announced Monday night at a called city council meeting. Following an executive session, the city council voted to accept Huckabee’s resignation. In a statement released by Huckabee, he said he felt his mission with the city hand been hindered by, what he called, “malicious, untruthful statements” made back in May by a Texas Municipal Police Association representative. He said he would continue to combat the false statements. Huckabee said he thought it was best for him and his family that he resign.

TYLER — Connie McCoy-Wasson on Tuesday became the first female appointed to serve as Smith County Fire Marshal. According to a county news release, after interviewing five of the 13 candidates who applied for the job, the Smith County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to appoint Wasson. She’ll fill former Fire Marshal Jay Brooks’s unexpired term through December 2016. Brooks resigned from the post in October to take a job in the private sector. McCoy-Wasson has more than 20 years of experience as a deputy fire marshal for Smith County and has served as interim fire marshal since October. According to the news release, McCoy-Wasson says she knows she has “big shoes to fill” and hopes she “can hold up the standards set before me.”

EAST TEXAS — Thousands were left without power as a result of today’s storms. According to KETK, the outages have been spread across the East Texas area. Crews with Oncor, SWEPCO, and other utilities have been working to get everything switched back on. There was no immediate word on when all the power might be restored.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County trial stemming from a 2013 murder has been pushed back to 2016. KETK reports Paul Anthony Mengel, 30, of Bossier City, Louisiana, won’t be tried until either February or March of next year, according to Gregg County Assistant District Attorney Stacey Brownlee. The trial was initially set to begin Monday. Joey Lee Espy, 19, of Longview was found July 7, 2013, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest on Bonner Street in South Longview. He was later pronounced dead. Mengel was arrested at his house in Bossier City July 23 by the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force and Shreveport-area police. Mengel was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a murder charge and his bond was set at $300,000.

LONGVIEW — A suspect who was involved in a shootout with police is being treated for life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. According to a news release, on Tuesday at 2:47 a.m., Longview police were dispatched to an alarm at Academy Sports Center on Forest Square. When officers arrived they found that the glass door had been broken and it appeared someone had gained entry into the store. Officers located the suspect at the rear of the building. Police say the suspect, armed with an M-4 rifle, exchanged gunfire with the three Longview police officers. They say the suspect fled to the nearby Best Buy store on West Loop 281 and climbed onto the roof. Continue reading Suspect Hospitalized after Shoot-Out with Longview Police

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners will one more public hearing today to gather input on the Voting Centers implemented in the November 3 election. A news release reports a hearing was held this morning in Commissioners Court, and the second is set for 5:30 p.m. at the R.B. Hubbard “Hub” Center at 304 E. Ferguson St. Voting Centers are an early-voting concept on Election Day, allowing residents to vote at any polling place without being restricted to their precinct. Continue reading One More Public Hearing Set for Input on Voting Centers

LONGVIEW — Longview police are crediting a local resident with helping them catch a suspected vehicle burglar. At 8:42 Monday morning, police were dispatched to a suspicious person call on East Hawkins Parkway. When officers arrived they were told a man was caught attempting to go through a tool box at the location. The suspect left the scene prior to officers’ arrival. Continue reading Police: Quick Thinking Citizen Helps in Burglary Arrest

TYLER — Tyler police say a stolen ATM has been recovered some 95 miles away — along with a stolen U-Haul. According to a news release, investigators learned Monday that Tyler officers had taken a stolen U-Haul report from Storage Max on Old Jacksonville Hwy. this past Saturday. The same day, at 2:00 p.m., the Dallas Police Department located the stolen U-Haul with the ATM inside the vehicle in an industrial park in South Dallas. But police say the suspects were not in the area at the time of the discovery. Investigators have also been informed that the same type of crime occurred in Crandall over the weekend. The same type of crime has also been reported in Dallas and Palestine. Continue reading Stolen ATM and U-Haul Recovered in Dallas