Local and National News Headlines 1/23

If you have been receiving unemployment benefits, you could be in for a big surprise when you start filing your taxes. Bob Meighan, vice president at Turbo Tax, says unless filers asked that federal taxes be withheld from their jobless benefits, they will owe taxes on the income. On the upside, Meighan reminds the unemployed they might be eligible for tax breaks they didn’t get before, such as the earned income credit.

LONGVIEW, Tx. - A man suspected of driving a stolen car and leading Longview Police on a chase is jailed today. Police attempted to pull over 26 year old James Eric Smelley of Longview after the car he was in was reported stolen out of Harrison County. Smelly refused to stop and officers gave chase. A short time later officers called off the pursuit because the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly, and putting citizens lives in danger. Minutes later the suspect hit several vehicles that were stopped at a traffic light. Smelley fled the scene but was arrested after a search in a wooded area.

Crash Leaves Two East Texans Dead

HARLETON, Tx. - A one vehicle accident in East Texas has left two people dead and another person injured. Department of Public Safety reports the driver of the car, 20 year old Andrew Philip Foster of Longview was traveling on highway 154 near Harleton in Harrison County when he swerved to avoid hitting an animal. Foster lost control of his vehicle and crossed lanes striking a culvert and then a hit a tree. Foster and one of his passengers , 15 year old Jason Daniel Yaws of Harleton were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger , 15 year old Aaron Foster of Longview is hospitalized at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview.

Man Hit by Car on Gentry Parkway

TYLER - Tyler Police are looking for the driver of a car who struck a 47-year-old man and then fled the scene. Police say Larry King is hospitalized in critical condition after he was hit by the car while attempting to cross Gentry Parkway at N. Bois D’ Arc Avenue. Witnesses said the suspect vehicle is described as a blue or possible greenish car with front end damage, possibly a Chevy Cavalier or similar body style. The hit-and-run occurred about 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

Capital Murder Trial in Lufkin Begins

LUFKIN - Jury selection in a Lufkin capital murder trial begins today. Kimberly Saenz , a former dialysis nurse, is accused of killing five patients by injecting them with bleach. Saenz's lawyer says she’s being blamed for other people's mistakes. Jury selection could take several weeks.

More Bodies Recovered from Cruise Ship

GIGLIO, Italy – The death toll from the capsized cruise ship off the Tuscan coast is now at 15. Two more bodies were pulled from the wreckage today. 17 people are still missing according to a national civil protection agency official. The Costa Concordia rammed a reef and split open the ship’s hull January 13^th.

Two Dead in Southeast Storms

CLAY, Ala. – A deadly line of storms has moved through the South and Midwest .Two people are dead and hundreds injured after the storm produced a tornado that moved across Birmingham, Alabama early this morning. Authorities say the victims are a 16 year old girl and an 82 year old man.

Congresswoman to Resign

TUCSON, AZ -- U. S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is expected to announce her resignation this week. The Arizona Congresswoman says she wants to focus on her recovery from last year's shooting that wounded her and left six people dead and 12 wounded. Arizona will hold a special election to find someone to finish out Giffords’ term.

Patriots, Giants Set for Super Bowl

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots will meet the New York Giants in this year's Super Bowl XLVI, a rematch between the two teams who faced each other in the 2008 game. The Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. The New York Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime to clinch the NFC title. The Super Bowl is set for Sunday, Feb. 5.

Vigil Held for Joe Paterno

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - A vigil was held Sunday night for Joe Paterno. Thousands of people gathered outside Penn State’s administration building to remember and mourn the loss of the longtime football coach. Paterno, who was 85, died of lung cancer just two months after he was fired amid a child sex abuse scandal.

Information used from The Associated Press and Dave Goldman.