Henderson News

At a press conference Tuesday in Mount Enterprise, the leader of the New Black Panther Party, an African-American activist from Houston named Quanell X, announced there will be a march and a rally in Henderson on December 22 in response to the death of Gerald Johnson, 31, of Mount Enterprise.

By LORRI LITTLE Henderson Daily News

Rev. Jerry Williams was at the end of a funeral procession Friday when a Ford F-150 pickup driven by Hernandez Juan Gonzalez crashed into the passenger side of his extended cab truck and narrowly missed a Henderson Police Department officer who was blocking traffic.

Gonzalez, 55, of Henderson, who has been charged with driving while intoxicated and intoxicated assault, entered the intersection at Texas Highway 64 West and Van Buren Street around 11:15 a.m. Friday and came within feet of hitting the officer assisting in the funeral procession.

“This guy came through and hit Williams in the side,” said HPD Criminal Investigator Lt. Craig Sweeney. “With the force of the impact, if he had been carrying a passenger, I think there would be another funeral. It was hit that bad.”

By MATTHEW PROSSER Henderson Daily News

Causes leading to the mid-October death of a Rusk County Jail inmate will be the focus of a news conference scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Mount Enterprise Community Center.

Gerald Donnel Johnson, 31, was pronounced dead at ETMC Henderson by Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Bob Richardson after being found lying unresponsive on the floor of the housing unit of the jail on that Friday night.

Quanell X, leader of the Texas-based New Black Panther Party, will be speaking on behalf of the family to discuss allegations that Johnson was murdered while in custody.

According to a statement released Monday, “The family believes that this is an attempt to cover-up a murder of an African-American male in their custody.”

By BETTY WATERS Staff Writer HENDERSON -- During Bobby Brown's tenure as superintendent, Henderson Independent School District achieved "Recognized" status in the state accountability program and opened the new Wylie primary school and elementary school.

Victims and Survivors Against Violent Crimes will host the Tree of Angels at 6:30 p.m. Dec.

By BETTY WATERS Staff Writer HENDERSON -- After U.S. Highway 64 narrows from four to two lanes in this town, motorists encounter a traffic light and -- a short distance farther -- a railroad crossing and then another traffic light as three side streets intersect with that stretch of the major highway before it widens back out.

A local prison ministry is resuming shuttle service to visit loved ones who are incarcerated.

A Rusk County jury indicted a 20-year-old Henderson man this past week on a charge of making three bomb threats to Henderson High School.

The East Texas Trekkers Walking Club will host a 1-5K walk, 3.1 miles and a 10K walk, 6.2 miles in length Saturday during the Henderson Syrup Festival.

The city council voted the same on Tuesday as it did two weeks ago on whether to lift a ban on alcohol, only the latest vote came after an outpouring of comments from citizens for or opposed to the proposal.

She was arrested Tuesday in the 1600 block of Lilly Street. - Terry Lynn Findley, 62, of Tatum was released from jail Wednesday on $5,000 bond, charged with felony driving while intoxicated.

Tony Fejzaj recently brought high-end cuisine to Henderson in the form of Donatella.

Alcoholic beverages will be allowed at the city's community center and new civic center.

FirstPerson: As part of msnbc.com's coverage of the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's collapse, readers share their photos.

By BETTY WATERS Staff Writer HENDERSON -- A Rusk County Grand Jury indicted a defendant in three bombing threats at Henderson High School and also handed up 47 other indictments this week, including some for gambling.

A Gregg County Grand jury indicted 15 people this week, including two men charged with murder.

A major wreck involving two trucks Wednesday left one man trapped in his vehicle and needing medical treatment.

Marie Martin wants nothing more than to bury her half brother next to family. However, eight years after his disappearance, officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are still trying to find his body.

Maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to begin several days of seal coat operations on U.S. 259 in Longview, between Loop 281 and FM 1844, according to a Texas Department of Transportation news release.

By KENNETH DEAN Staff Writer HENDERSON - A woman who police say used her vehicle as a weapon to run another vehicle off the road last year has been sentenced after entering a guilty plea.