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Women ostracized from child birth complications find hope in Mercy Ships

SMITH COUNTY, TX (KLTV)-      A global organization that calls East Texas their home, is working to improve the lives of women impacted by obstetric fistulas.

An obstetric fistula occurs after child birth complications leave an internal hole in a woman's body. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 50-100,000 new cases of obstetric fistula each year.

     It's not so much of a problem in the United States because of our advanced medical care, but in Africa, East Texas based Mercy Ships has preformed 2,800 obstetric fistula related procedures on women with the condition.

In the U.S., about 1 in 7,500 women die in child birth each year. In West Africa, that statistic is 1 in 12.

Of the women who live, many have their bodies destroyed by obstetric fistulas.

Community Sponsors

Traditional Karate with a Modern KICK!

As one viewer said, 'We could all use a little more of this'

As one viewer said, 'We could all use a little more of this'

What a great thing for a business to put on their sign! Nice job, Time-It Lube in Whitehouse!

Thanks to Stacy Williams for sharing her photo with us.

Don't miss this: 'Bernie' onscreen at Liberty, key players in attendance

Don't miss this: 'Bernie' onscreen at Liberty, key players in attendance

From Liberty Hall:

This Thursday, May 23 we will show the Richard Linklater directed film, “Bernie” starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey. The movie is based on a true story that occurred in our own Carthage, Texas. Local mortician, Bernie Tiede (Black), strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow (MacLaine).

The twist comes when Bernie kills her and then goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she's still alive. The film has cameos by many people who experienced the events first hand. We will have special guests speak before the show, Danny Buck Davidson the Panola County District Attorney, played in the film by McConaughey and Ms. Kay Baby Epperson who had several cameos in the film.

Smith Co. man charged with murder in Tuesday shooting

SMITH COUNTY, TX (KLTV)- The Smith County Sheriff's office has charged 23-year-old Alex Jones with first-degree murder following a confrontation Tuesday that resulted in a shooting that killed another man.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting just after 10 A.M. Tuesday on the 100 block of Patton Lane, just west of Tyler.

Investigators said there was some sort of confrontation in the front yard, ending with Jones shooting and killing the other man.

Jones is being held on a $750,000 bond in the Smith County Jail.

Authorities are not releasing the name of the deceased victim, pending notification of kin.

Copyright 2013 KLTV. All rights reserved.

Tyler house fire possibly sparked by power outage

TYLER, TX (KLTV)- A Tyler home was damaged by fire early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters believe a power outage may have been the spark that caused the house fire.

Firefighters got the call around 2:45 a.m., in the 800 block of West 26th Street. Firefighters say the home lost power sometime last night during the storms. When it was returned, they believe sparks from somewhere in the home's bedroom may have started the blaze, but have not confirmed it as the absolute cause.

The family was not home at the time of the fire, and no injuries have been reported.

Copyright 2013 KLTV. All rights reserved.

One man dead, another in custody following Smith Co. shooting

SMITH COUNTY, TX (KLTV)-

A shooting in Smith County Tuesday morning left one man dead and another in custody.

The shooting happened just after 10:00 a.m. on the 100 block of Patton Lane and Highway 64 West.

Bill could eliminate toll road fees for some veterans

TYLER, TX (KLTV)-  More veterans could soon be driving on more Texas toll roads for free. A bill that passed through the Texas House of Representatives was added to the senate's voting calendar Tuesday morning.

Dominic Sciarrini spent 30 years in the United States Navy. He received his Purple Hearts in Vietnam

"I wasn't seriously wounded, but I was hospitalized both times," he says.

The plates on his car afford him a free ride on TxDot toll roads. If passed, a new bill could expand that to all toll roads in the state. Legislators are looking to change the wording from "toll project entities 'may' establish a discount program" to "toll entities 'shall.'"