Local Headlines

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Tyler

TYLER– The Diocese of Tyler has announced that Pope Francis appointed Bishop Gregory Kelly, the current Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas, as the new Bishop of Tyler on Friday. According to our news partner KETK,  Kelly will be the fifth Bishop to ever be appointed to lead the Tyler Diocese since it was founded in 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II. Kelly’s appointment comes after Bishop Joseph Strickland was removed as Bishop of Tyler in November of 2023, following a months-long investigation by the Vatican.

Kelly was born in Le Mars, Iowa on Feb. 15 1956. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts in philosophy from the University of Dallas in 1978 while he was in the Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, according to the Diocese of Dallas.Later in 1982, he received his master’s degree in divinity from the University of Dallas and he was ordained as a priest in that same year. He was made Auxiliary Bishop for Dallas in 2016 and has served as a Vicar General and moderator for the Curia.

The Diocese of Tyler will have an announcement press conference at 10 a.m. on Friday in the St. Paul meeting room at the Diocesan Chancery, located at 1015 E. Southeast Loop 323.

Developers plan 60 acres for entertainment, retail stores

TYLER — Across the street from the Village at Cumberland in Tyler, the Genecov Group has purchased a 60-acre development site expected to bring a new form of entertainment for East Texans, according to our news partners at KETK. The company said they will bring sports, leisure and nightlife to Tyler in the ultimate recreation and cultural playground known as Parkside Development. It will include major retailer stores, restaurants, boutique hotel and pad sites. (more…)

Officer-involved shooting in Marshall

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) is investigating an officer-involved
shooting that occurred on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in the 100 block of Interstate 20. The incident
began around 1:20 p.m. when MPD officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance.
Upon arrival, MPD officers encountered an individual armed with a handgun. Marshall Police officers,
along with the MPD Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiation Team, were assisted by the
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SRT and deputies. They attempted to de-escalate the situation
through negotiations. Despite these efforts, the individual shot at officers with a handgun and an MPD
officer returned fire, striking the individual. (more…)

Rep. Moran supports new child abuse prevention bill

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that a proposed child abuse prevention law is on its way to the White House for review by President Biden. The Jenna Quinn Bill has been in the works for the past six years, named after abuse survivor, Jenna Quinn, the proposed bill will allow federal grants to fund training educators on sexual abuse recognition and prevention. Rep. Nathaniel Moran said 90% of the time abusers are typically somebody within family or close friendship, relationship, making this bill vital to train educators and adults that work with children. Already making an impact, data shows educators are reporting abuse four times more after being trained than without.

The East Texas congressman spoke in support of the bill before it passed with full bipartisan support on Dec. 17.

“We need to provide more opportunities for grant moneys that already exists to be used in a space that can save these kids from further abuse, stop the abuse and get them help as quickly as possible,” Moran said. (more…)

YouTuber helps Tyler PD arrest man for solicitation of minors

TYLER– The Tyler Police Department arrested a 27-year-old man for online solicitation of a minor on Tuesday after a call from a YouTuber.

According to court documents, Tyler PD officers responded to a call about a suspicious person near the Residence Inn on Heritage Drive in Tyler at around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that the caller was later identified as the owner of a YouTube channel used to catch sexual predators called “Predator Poacher.” The owner told Tyler PD officers about a man that the channel had reportedly been in contact with since June 11, 2023.

Officers were shown messages that were reportedly between someone posing as 11 and 13-year-old girls and 27-year-old Jordan Lee Burk. According to the arrest affidavit, Burk had sexual conversations with someone posing as an 11-year-old named “Emily” and a 13-year-old named “Maddi” about dating and pregnancy.

On Tuesday, Tyler PD officers contacted Burk at his workplace, BioLife Plasma, to discuss the alleged messages. After Burk was read his Miranda right and questioned, he allegedly admitted to contacting the 11-year-old. According to Smith County records, Burk was arrested on two charges of online solicitation of a minor and sexual conduct, and booked into the Smith County Jail before being released on Wednesday.

New Democratic candidate for Tyler City Council District 3 seat

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that a lifelong resident of Northwest Tyler has placed her bid for the Tyler City Council District 3 seat. Shonda Marsh, with 30 years of experience in healthcare and a deep commitment to community advocacy, claims to bring transformative leadership to the district. Marsh’s career included leadership roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)

East Texas representative faces backlash over speaker support

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a second state representative from East Texas is under intense pressure to switch his support as Texas House Republicans fight over who will be the next speaker. Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, won the endorsement from the House GOP caucus, but Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, claims to have a bipartisan majority. This battle, as Burrows seeks democratic support, has led Republicans who support Burrows to walk a fine line.

In recent days, the GOP has threatened to campaign against anyone who supports Burrows, such as Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, who has already faced backlash over his choice. Yet Hefner remains adamant in backing Burrows for the seat.

The Texas GOP has also threatened to censure any Republican who does not vote for Cook and has sent text messages to lawmakers like East Texas Rep. Cody Harris threatening to campaign against them. (more…)

SPCA assists in the removal of neglected animals

KAUFMAN COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, Kaufman County officials serving a warrant at a property discovered animals in wire cages, living without shelter and limited access to clean water. The SPCA team said the dogs and roosters were found in individual pens throughout the property with the area thick in mud and standing water. Officials also found evidence that the animals may have been used for fighting leading to the start of an investigation. Their owner relinquished custody of the animals at the scene, and the SPCA has since taken ownership, who are now working with the animals for possible rehabilitation.

“That resulted in the SPCA of Texas taking custody of 50 roosters, 43 hens, 34 adult dogs, and 10 puppies,” SPCA of Texas Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Maura Davies said.

According to officials, the owner of the animals could also face felony charges once the investigation is over. (more…)

UPDATE: City of Lindale rescinds boil water notice

LINDALE – UPDATE: The city of Lindale has now rescinded the boil water notice.

The City of Lindale announced Thursday morning that a boil water notice is in effect. This impacts those using Lindale public water on CR 4191 from 15860 CR 4191 to 15606 CR 4191. Also included in the notice area are residents in Beechwood Circle and Redwood Circle. The boil water notice means those affected need to boil water before consuming. Water should be brought to a rolling boil, then boiled for an additional two minutes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, city officials will rescind the boil water notice. In the meantime, if you have questions, you may contact City of Lindale Water Utilities at (903) 882-4948 or after hours number (903)882-3313.

East Texas man sentenced after meth found in hotel room

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Nichalos Allen Hunt was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of a controlled substance and four years for bail jumping and failure to appear in court. Our news partners at KETK report that Hunt allegedly admitted the baggie and a glass pipe were his and it was later determined the baggie contained 2.22 grams of methamphetamine. A Henderson County deputy received information on an individual with an outstanding parole warrant located in a hotel room in Gun Barrel City. Deputies on the scene reported seeing plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance was reportedly sitting in plain sight on the nightstand next to Hunt.

Run Tyler 5K gets colorful in 2025

TYLER – The Run Tyler 5K is back with a color run edition on Saturday, Jan. 11! The entry fee is $20 per runner, and the registration closes on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Check-in will be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr. Afterward, a post-race party will be held, where participants can receive their medals, enjoy refreshments and take photos. The 5K benefits the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department in its efforts to provide events and programming for the community. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/RunTyler5k, the Tyler Parks and Rec Facebook page, or call Parks Administration at (903) 531-1370.

Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony

PALESTINE – A Texas House Committee was left without its key witness on Friday after Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion late Thursday barring death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying at the Capitol.The bipartisan House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence had planned to hear directly from Roberson on Friday at noon about his failed efforts to overturn his capital murder conviction using the state’s junk science law, which grants new trials in cases that relied on scientific evidence that is later discredited.

But Paxton’s motion, which argued that the panel’s subpoena to Roberson was “procedurally deficient and overly burdensome,” excused the state prison system from complying with the committee’s subpoena and allowing Roberson to testify in person. That left the future of Roberson’s testimony unclear.

Lawmakers have tried for weeks to bring him to Austin after the Texas Supreme Court noted in November that state officials should be able to produce Roberson for testimony in compliance with a subpoena that does not interfere with a scheduled execution. After the committee’s first subpoena expired, it served him with another one this week.

Roberson was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, who was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome. He has argued that new scientific evidence discredits Nikki’s diagnosis and shows she died of natural and accidental causes. (more…)

Tyler Police increasing traffic enforcement during the holidays

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is increasing traffic enforcement during the New Year’s holiday which will continue through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement in high traffic crash areas throughout the City. Officers will be focusing their targeted enforcement efforts to deter speeding, seatbelt violations, running red lights, texting, and driving while intoxicated throughout the City. “We will have additional officers on the road during the holidays specifically to enforce traffic laws,” said Chief Jimmy Toler. “The safety of everyone remains a priority as they enjoy holiday events and festivities. We will work to deter drinking and driving, speeding, and distracted driving.” (more…)