Today is
Sunday November 24, 2024
MARSHALL – A teen was taken to a Marshall hospital following a Monday night shooting. Lt. Len Ames said her injuries were non-life-threatening. The shooting occurred at the intersection of Winston and Dogan streets shortly after 10:15pm. The investigation is ongoing.
MARSHALL – Marshall police continue their investigation into a man’s death. The body of Johnathan Bennett, 30, was found by a relative in a home on Bledsoe Street on March 24th. As they do with any unattended death, it is being investigated as a homicide. A justice of the peace has ordered an autopsy. So far, an official autopsy report has not been released.
KILGORE – There is now a new incentive to go to Kilgore College. You could win a new car. Top fuel dragster Steve Torrence was on campus Tuesday to announce a new program. Called “Cruise for Success,†it allows qualifying KC students to earn points during the school year for a chance to win a brand new Chevy Cruze, sponsored by Patterson Chevrolet in Kilgore. The new program starts in August. You can go to http://www.kilgore.edu/cruiseforsuccess for more details on contest, eligibility requirements and how students can earn points toward the car and other prizes.
LONGVIEW – A man, who has pleaded guilty to kidnappings that resulted in murder, has drawn a long prison sentence. A Longview jury deliberated around two hours Monday before finding Craig Davison, 53, of Hallsville, guilty of two counts of aggravated kidnapping. He was later sentenced to 54 years in prison. He is said to have assisted in the kidnapping of Kevin Lorenzo Stephenson, 28, of Henderson, and Dekeilen Joe Nelson, 20, of Gilmer, in March of 2016. They were both shot execution-style and bodies were dumped near the railroad tracks off Estes Parkway. Two other persons were also arrested in the case. One is serving a life prison sentence and one has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three persons to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board Of Regents. The governor reappointed David Alders to the post. He also appointed to the board Judy Olson of Conroe and Jennifer Winston of Lufkin. Their terms are set to expire on January 31, 2025. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
EAST TEXAS – A juvenile has been arrested in connection with social media threats against area high schools. Through the work of numerous agencies, the juvenile was identified. Working with the Rusk County DA’s Office, a pick up order was signed by the Judge Chad Dean. The suspect was arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and released to Rusk County juvenile authorities. Despite the threat being deemed not credible, there were extra security precautions taken Monday at all five school districts involved — Henderson, Overton, West Rusk, Chapel Hill, and Kilgore. Classes were in session as normal on Monday in all five districts. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Van Zandt County Jail captain is free on bond today after her arrest. Captain Winnifred Boles, 54, of Ben Wheeler, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. She was booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday, then released on a $50,000 bond. According to a statement from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department, “The matter was turned over to the Texas Rangers for independent investigation.”
ABILENE – And East Texas fisherman has landed the last ‘Legacy Class’ ShareLunker of 2019. Brad Scott of Gun Barrel City caught the lunker bass on Lake Leon near Abilene during the final weekend of the 2019 donation season. The lunker entered in the Toyota ShareLunker program is the first ever caught in Lake Leon. The fish weighed in at exactly 13 pounds, the absolute minimum requirement for a “Legacy Class†ShareLunker entry. Although the “Legacy Class†donation season has ended, anglers can still enter their 8 pound or larger largemouth bass catches into the Toyota ShareLunker Program through December 31.
LONGVIEW – It is time for the annual Taste of Longview. You will get to sample a wide variety of food and drinks from various Longview restaurants. Plus, there will be live entertainment along with raffle tickets and prizes. Tickets for adults are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets for children 4 to 10 years old are $6. The event serves as a fundraiser benefiting the culinary and hospitality students of East Texas presented by the East Texas Restaurant Association and the Longview Pilot Club. Doors open Tuesday night at 7:00 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center.
LONGVIEW – At student at LeTourneau University has been accepted to participate in the Texas Joint Admission Medical Program. This guarantees sophomore biology major Benjamin Tebbe-Trujillo’s acceptance into one of the nine medical schools in Texas once he completes his undergraduate degree. The award enables him to begin his medical school education this summer with his first medical school internship. Once he completes his remaining requirements of the JAMP program, he will have interviews at all nine of the medical schools in Texas, with guaranteed acceptance into at least one.
LONGVIEW – Crews with Union Pacific are working to clean up after nine cars derailed in Longview Sunday afternoon. According to the Longview News Journal, the derailment occurred between Second and Third streets on the railroad tracks between Methvin and Cotton streets. No streets were blocked and no injuries were reported. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
TYLER – The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has up held the conviction of a Tyler woman for Injury to a child. The court affirmed the conviction of Taylor Nicole Skinner, 25. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison last June for the injuries sustained by her 15 month old child. The youngster was admitted to a Tyler hospital with severe injuries in September of 2017, and later transferred to a Dallas hospital for surgery, and has since recovered. Skinner was the second person convicted in the case. Terral Deshon Carter, 27, of Tyler, the woman’s boyfriend, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the youngster’s injuries.
TYLER – It is time for annual Smith County-Wide Clean Up. The program, which will run throughout April, allows residents to take bulky items to the landfill for free. Smith County residents can use vouchers, available at the Smith County Courthouse Annex and all justice of the peace/constable offices, to redeem at the Greenwood Farms Landfill, at 12920 Farm-to-Market Road 2767, or Old Kilgore Highway, in Tyler. Smith County citizens will be able to take 3 cubic yards of solid waste, which fills the bed of a regular sized pickup, and/or bulk items to be disposed of at the landfill. Items NOT accepted include: hazardous waste, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, gasoline, oils, paint, acid, batteries, Asbestos, wet paint, Freon, whole tires, televisions, computers, refrigerators and freezers.
TYLER – Monday through Friday is Rose City Restaurant Week. The annual event, which helps raise funds for non-profits, also celebrates eating out in Tyler. The goal of Restaurant Week is to encourage the community to support some of the best local restaurants while raising money for he Junior League of Tyler. Nearly two dozen restaurants are participating in this year’s drive. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – United Way of Smith County president and CEO, Nan Moore has told her board she will retire within the next 12 months. Moore has served in executive nonprofit positions for more than 26 years. She is currently in her twelfth year of service to United Way of Smith County as President and CEO. She has led the organization in successful campaigns along with the move into the new main offices in the Tyler Woman’s Building. Moore has assured United Way’s board, staff and partner agencies that she will stay on until a successor is named. The United Way of Smith County will begin a nationwide search for a new President and CEO and has asked immediate past chairman of the board, Mike Thomas to serve as the Search Committee Chairman.