High Water Remains on East Texas Roadways

The Texas Department of Transportation reports a number of roadways in East Texas remain flooded from Tuesday’s heavy rains. Travel is discouraged on each of the listed roadways, and not allowed on roadways listed as closed:

Henderson County

FM 2636 between FM 3441 and the end of state maintenance, closed to thru-traffic

Van Zandt County

FM 47 between IH 20 and FM 1651;

FM 857 between US 80 in Grand Saline and FM 1253, closed to thru-traffic; FM 859 between US 80 in Edgewood and FM 1395; FM 1652 between FM 17 south of Grand Saline and FM 1255; FM 1861 between SH 19 south of Canton and FM 2339; SH 110 between US 80 in Grand Saline and FM 1255, closed to thru-traffic

Wood County

FM 69 between SH 37 in Quitman and FM 515, closed to thru-traffic

Lightning Causes Multiple Fires, Destroys Church Sanctuary

Lightning is suspected in several fires that damaged two structures in Smith County including the sanctuary of the Hide- A- Way Lake Community Church. The Smith County Fire Marshall’s Office says four departments responded to the blaze early Tuesday when heavy smoke was reported coming from the sanctuary of the church.

A short time later Lindale firefighters were called to Glenn’s Jewelry on Main Street. The business was a total loss and neighboring structures received heavy smoke damage.

Alto Mayor Quits Suddenly

ALTO — The mayor of the embattled East Texas town of Alto has called it quits with little notice. Monty Collins says he went to the city secretary and wrote a note that said, "I quit on this date" and then walked out the door.

The community of 1,200 people laid off all five police officers last year during a budget crunch.

Teenager Charged in Church Arson

HARRISON Co. -- An East Texas Teen suspected of setting fire to a local church has been arrested and could be responsible for several other fires.

Harrison County Sheriff’s office investigators have charged 17-year-old Dylan Morgan with arson in connection with last months fire at the Woodlawn Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located north of Marshall on Hwy 59.

Other alleged offenses will be referred to the Harrison County District Attorney.

Co-Worker Testifies in Lufkin Murder Case

LUFKIN — A former co-worker of an East Texas dialysis nurse who's on trial for killing five patients is supporting a defense theory that syringes were used to measure bleach for cleaning.

Prosecutors say Kimberly Saenz (synz) killed five patients in Lufkin by injecting bleach into their dialysis lines. But her attorney says she was seen measuring bleach into a syringe because she wanted to put the right amount into cleaning water.