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LONGVIEW — Significant damage was sustained, but residents were able to escape through a window after a Longview duplex caught fire. Just after 1:00 Monday morning, according to KETK, fire crews responded to a residential fire at 1213 Hughey Drive. Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear of the building. The occupants credit the sounding of the smoke alarm for saving their lives. The bedroom door was closed and slowed the smoke from entering the bedroom. They attempted to open the door, but were unable to escape down the hall due to the smoke conditions. They then broke out the window of the bedroom and were able to escape. Continue reading Residents Escape out Window during Longview Duplex Fire

RUSK COUNTY — A former high school athlete is dead after a car accident Saturday morning in Rusk County. KETK reports Michael Ochetto, Jr., 18, of Henderson, was killed when his car struck a culvert. According to Trooper Jean Dark with the Smith County DPS, Ochetto was driving down Farm to Market Road 1716 near County Road 2166 around 2:47 a.m. when he went around a curve, lost control of his car, and hit a culvert. Ochetto was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:00 a.m. Ochetto was a May 2013 graduate of Tatum High School, where he played football and basketball for the Eagles. In Tatum’s upcoming Area playoff football game, Collin Gage, defensive end and tight end for the Eagles, will be wearing #80, Ochetto’s football number from last year, to honor the late athlete.

TYLER — State Troopers are investigating a Smith County hit and run accident that left one man dead. Jack Thomas Arnold, Jr., 43, of Tyler, was killed after being hit by a car around 10:00 Sunday night. Arnold was walking along Greenbriar Road when troopers say he was hit by a car that left the scene. Trooper Jean Dark with the Texas Department of Public Safety says more details will be released when they are available.

WOOD COUNTY — One man died and two people were injured in a motorcycle crash in Wood County Sunday afternoon. Department of Public Safety officials tell KETK, the wreck happened just before 2:00 on Highway 69 near Farm Road 779. Christopher D. King, 58, and Donna Mae King, 56, were riding a motorcycle northbound on Highway 69 when they struck another vehicle that was turning in front of them from the southbound direction. Continue reading One Killed in Weekend Wreck

LINDALE — A Lindale woman has died from her injuries after being hit by an SUV. The accident happened around 7:30 Saturday evening in the 3400 block of South Main Street. Lindale police say Karen Hand, 61, was crossing the road when she was hit by a vehicle in the southbound lane of traffic. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died. Authorities do not believe distracted driving played a part in the accident.

TYLER — Still no trace of a man who took an undetermined amount of money in the robbery of the Food Fast gas station, 4725 Troup Highway in Tyler. It occurred around 9:30 Sunday night. The store employee told officers a white male entered the store, cashed in a lottery ticket, and left. Abut two minutes later he came back into the store and went to the drink display. He brought a soda to the counter and paid for the drink. When the cash register was opened he pulled a silver hand gun and ordered the clerk to hand over all the money in the register. When given the money, he then ordered the clerk to lie on the floor. He was last seen running south from the store. Continue reading Tyler Business Robbed

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom on West Loop 281. It happened shortly before 1:45 Sunday morning during what was believed to be a robbery. A 21 year old man was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with what were described as life threatening injuries. According to the Longview News Journal, police are looking for two men. One was described as about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and was possibly wearing a blue hoodie.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Wednesday are scheduled to make repairs to a culvert on eastbound side of State Highway 64 just west of Tyler’s West Loop 323, near the entrance to Wal-Mart. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 near Red Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview is advising the public of some street and trail closures. Hollybrook construction continues to progress between Eastman (US 259) and Loop 281. The intersection of Mohawk and Hollybrook is now closed to through traffic between Mohawk and Loop 281. These closures will be in effect until the road construction is complete, which is scheduled for March 2014. Drivers wishing to travel between Eastman and Loop 281 must use alternate routes. Drivers may continue to access Hollybrook between J. L. Everhart Elementary School and Mohawk via Tryon Road. Continue reading Longview Street, Trail Closures Begin

LONGVIEW — Longview police responded to a carjacking and stabbing Friday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a woman armed herself and approached the front door of her Pine Tree home when her guard dogs began barking loudly at 2:45 a.m. Friday. When her warnings, which included the sound of her taking off the gun’s safety and cocking the weapon, were answered by calls for help, she asked what was wrong. The voice in the dark said he had been attacked, stabbed by a hitchhiker he had met earlier in the neighborhood. Edi Flowers called her six dogs inside from behind their electric fence, invited the injured man inside the home she shares with her husband, and called 911. Continue reading Area Man Stabbed in Carjacking

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s financial strength and stability were recognized this week when Standard & Poor’s Rating Services raised its rating of Longview’s outstanding General Obligation bonds to AA+ from AA, according to a city news release. The rating notes that the City of Longview has strong conservative budget management, a strong economy, and strong budgetary flexibility, city officials say. The City of Longview is now just one step below S&P’s highest possible rating of AAA. Citing what’s termed Longview’s strong financial position, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed its rating of the City of Longview as AA. Continue reading Longview’s Bond Rating Improves to AA+

TYLER – The East Texas Communities Foundation announces the establishment of the TransCanada Charitable Fund, a $125,000 program that will provide grants to qualifying non-profit organizations in 18 Texas counties over the next 4 years. According to an ETCF news release, the fund is designed to help improve East Texas communities and the lives of its residents through grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying non-profit organizations in the counties where TransCanada pipeline operations and projects exist. Continue reading ETCF Announces TransCanada Grant Program

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank has been named a winner in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which awards new vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public from Oct. 1 – Nov. 19, 2013. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program showcases five nonprofit organizations each day for 50 days. Visitors to http://www.100carsforgood.com may cast up to two votes per day for different organizations to select the organizations they feel are most deserving of a new Toyota vehicle. The East Texas Food Bank has received the most votes and has been named as a winner of a new Toyota Prius. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank Named Winner in Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A federal judge in Kansas has ordered the return of nearly $25,000 paid by an East Texas hunter as restitution for running an illegal deer hunting camp. James Bobby Butler Jr., of Martinsville, in Nacogdoches County, was initially assessed a $25,000 fine and $25,000 in restitution at his sentencing in 2011. But U.S. District Judge Monti Belot vacated the restitution after last month’s hearing in which he found prosecutors failed to prove the value of the deer. Belot re-sentenced Butler to 10 months in prison and a $25,000 fine, and on Friday ordered the return of $24,700 in restitution he had paid. Butler owned and operated the camp near Coldwater, Kansas, where his brother, Marlin Butler, worked as a guide. Marlin Butler’s amended sentence calls for eight months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An East Texan has been appointed as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic by President Barack Obama. KETK reports James “Wally” Brewster, who is originally from Lindale, attended Tyler Junior College and is now the fifth openly LGBT ambassador to be appointed this year. He has been confirmed by the United States Senate, and his swearing in ceremony by Vice President Joe Biden will take place in Washington, D.C., on November 22. Continue reading East Texan Appointed as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

LONGVIEW — An early morning fire leaves significant damage to a family’s Longview home. KETK reports it happened at 3:56 Friday morning in the 200 block of Richardson Drive. On arrival, Longview firefighters found flames coming from the roof. After putting the fire out, authorities found that the fire had begun in the area of the water heater closet and then spread into the attic. One person had awakened to find the ceiling on fire. All nine occupants of the house had escaped the house unharmed. One of the occupants was not home at the time of the blaze. Continue reading Significant Damage in Early Morning House Fire

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel Thursday entered into a sales contract of $550,000 for the possible purchase of 10 acres of land to be used for a future animal care facility. The City Council authorized McDaniel to take the action during Wednesday’s meeting. The property is located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. The City began investigating the potential of purchasing the parcel after ending discussions with the SPCA about building a new facility on land that was donated to them. According to a city news release, an assessment of the property offered by the SPCA revealed that more than $400,000 would need to be invested for infrastructure before construction of a new 10,000 square foot facility could begin. Continue reading Tyler Signs Sales Contract on Land for Animal Care Facility

TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve arrested six people on felony drug charges as part of an ongoing investigation in which more arrests are expected. On Thursday, vice investigators with the Tyler Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at 1307 North Confederate. According to a police news release, investigators recovered crack cocaine, marijuana, and evidence of the distribution of narcotics during the search of the residence. The individuals arrested were identified as Marcus Dewayne Campbell and John Henry Moore, both 54; 31-year-old John Albert Moore; 25-year-old Steven Rashad Foreman; 51-year-old Kenneth Rudale Warren; and 29-year-old Curtis Oneal Thompson.

TYLER – The search is on for two armed robbery suspects. At 10:39 Thursday night, multiple patrol deputies and other Smith County Sheriff’s Office officials responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Food Fast at 11812 Highway 64 West. Early information indicates that two males entered the store with a gun and took an undetermined amount of cash. The men left on foot in an unknown direction. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is handling the investigation. If anyone has any information regarding this case, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army gets the holiday season going Saturday with a campus-wide Kettle Kick-Off event. A soccer tournament began at 8 a.m., concert activities are set from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and there’s a Fall Festival from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. It all happens at The Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave. as well as Spring St. Admission to the soccer tournament, concert, and Fall Festival, as well as games and attractions, will be free. Continue reading Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff and Fall Festival Today

TYLER — The Tyler City Council this week approved the adoption of the new Bergfeld Park Master Plan. The Master Plan addresses five areas to be renovated at the Park including the playground, tennis courts, amphitheater, Splasher area, and landscaping. Plans for the five areas have been developed so that they may be completed in stages as the funding becomes available, according to a city news release. Plans call for new playground equipment, renovated tennis courts, removing some of the amphitheater fixed seats to create a grassy picnic area for families, and the creation of a landscape barrier to separate children in the splash area from the traffic on Broadway. Continue reading Council Approves Bergfeld Park Plan

TYLER — Tyler police say the Loan Ranger Bandit has struck again. On November 8, he allegedly robbed the Extraco Bank in Lampasas. The F.B.I. and numerous law enforcement agencies in multiple southern states (Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky) are still seeking the identity and whereabouts of the suspect. The F.B.I. has offered a $10,000 reward. Continue reading Police: Loan Ranger Bandit Strikes Again

TYLER — Tyler Firefighters were called to 2323 West Front Street just before 3:00 Friday morning to rescue a man from his vehicle. Police tell KETK he was driving on Front Street when he lost control of his car and crashed into a pole. Firefighters had to free the man from the mangled vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

TYLER — A south Tyler sexual assault is under investigation. It was reported around 7:00 Thursday night near the corner of Shiloh Rd. and Edinburgh Dr. According to KETK, the victim was pushed into the woods and sexually assaulted by two men. She was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment.

TYLER — A Tyler daycare center has shut down after the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services revoked its permit. The New Life Learning Center is located at 1201 North Northwest Loop 323 in Tyler. KETK reports DFPS has conducted 29 inspections on the center over the past two years and has issued 72 citations for deficiencies. KTBB has left a message on the center’s voice mail seeking comment and will update this story once any response is received.

TYLER — For the second time this week, Tyler firemen have been called to a fire at the Kensington Place Apartments, 4400 Plauxy Drive. Just before 11:00 yesterday morning, smoke was seen in one of the apartments, but there was no fire damage. Fire investigators have determined that the smoke originated from a problem associated with the apartment’s heating unit. No injuries were reported. Continue reading Smoke Reported at Tyler Apartments

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police have arrested four in connection with the Wednesday morning theft of four ATVs from T-Rex-S Outdoor Store on North Street. KETK reports Antonio Luis Gallegos, 27; Michael Gary Heflin, 20; Melissa Gallegos, 24; and Euardo Mejorado, 31, were arrested Thursday afternoon. All four are charged with felony engaging in organized criminal activity. They were placed in the Nacogdoches County Jail pending arraignment. Detectives continue to pursue leads in an effort to recover the stolen ATV’s. Continue reading Four Arrested in ATV Thefts

TYLER — Tyler firefighters responded to a house fire that reportedly caused significant damage at 3615 Old Bullard Road. The initial call was received around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, with the caller reporting a clothes dryer on fire inside the residence. Firefighters arriving on the scene noted smoke conditions in the structure and upgraded the response to a second alarm. A total of eight fire department units ended up battling the blaze. KETK reports a lot of fire and water damage. The origin and cause have not yet been determined; investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office will look into that matter. No injuries have been reported. The American Red Cross has been notified to assist the occupants.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police detectives have arrested a suspect in the Monday night armed robbery of Domino’s Pizza store on North Street. KETK reports Sugar Ray Ratcliff, 33, of Nacogdoches, was arrested Thursday at the county jail on a warrant for aggravated robbery. Ratcliff was jailed on Tuesday on a warrant for organized retail theft, a third degree felony. That arrest originated from a theft at TSO in the 4700 block of Northeast Stallings on November 5. Ratcliff remained in the county jail pending arraignment on the new charge.

LONGVIEW — More details have emerged about a fire at the Regency Park Apartments in the 700 block of Gilmer Road in Longview. Firefighters tell KETK contract workers on the roof of the complex were using propane torches, sparking the blaze around 11:30 Tuesday morning. Crews battled a fire on the third floor of one of the apartment buildings. Four apartments were destroyed. Officials say propane torches are often used to melt tar and provide a weather-proof seal. There was a fire at the same apartment complex for the same reason a year ago. Fire officials say they get calls often about construction fires from using propane torches.