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VAN – A former Van police officer was indicted after an investigation into allegations of official oppression. Santos Rodriguez was indicted on Friday for one count of official oppression. According to our news partner KETK, Van Police Chief Melissa Davis “received information regarding the conduct of an officer” on July 10. After gathering information on the incident, Davis confronted the officer about the allegation. “He immediately resigned from the Van Police Department, and although the complainant requested that the discipline be minimal, all information collected to that point was turned over to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office by Chief Davis,” according to Van The investigation is ongoing. Official oppression, a Class A Misdemeanor, carries a punishment range of a fine up to $4,000 and/or one year of jail for those found guilty.

SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 28-year-old woman was arrested after turning herself into authorities on Tuesday. The sheriff reported Sarah Ramon, of Joaquin, was arrested for indecency with a child, sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student after a lengthy investigation by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said no further information will be released at this time.

EAST TEXAS — Texas senators are ranked from most liberal to most conservative in a new study. The Texas Tribune bases the rankings on the 31 senators’ votes during this year’s regular session and four special sessions. Among the Republicans, Senator Bryan Hughes (pictured), of Mineola, is ranked as the most conservative. Senator Robert Nichols, of Jacksonville, is the most liberal Republican, but he’s still more conservative than the most conservative Democrat, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, of McAllen. Senator Sarah Eckhardt, of Austin, and Senator Roland Gutierrez, of San Antonio, who is running in the primary next year for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Ted Cruz, are the most liberal Democrats.

TYLER — Nicholas Pet Haven is raising money to buy a transport van that can take some of their animals in Tyler to their partner shelter in Chicago. According to our news partner and Nicholas Pet Haven, their partner shelter has agreed to accept some of their long timers and that will allow Nicholas Pet Haven to help Smith County Animal Control and Tyler AC by taking in some of their urgent pets while they also continue to manage their own strays. Illinois has a mandatory spay and neuter law so they don’t have as many strays as Texas, meaning their shelters sometimes have room to take other state’s dogs. Nicholas Pet Haven said that they’ll easily be able to send their partner all of their puppies and cats and they plan to send a van load of animals every other week once they get the van. Click here to visit Nicholas Pet Haven online.

TYLER – After having its sanctuary closed for nearly a year, Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler reopened their sanctuary Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, on Christmas Eve 2022, a busted water heater flooded the church and the church had to hold services elsewhere. For the Colonial Hills congregation, this has been in the church gymnasium while repairs were being done. Sunday, after 51 weeks, parishioners returned to worship in the cleaned-up and renovated sanctuary.
Continue reading Colonial Hills Baptist Church reopens its sanctuary

LONGVIEW — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a man and a woman were injured in shooting on Juanita Road in Longview on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that around 10:53 a.m. on Sunday, dispatchers got a call from a distraught woman who said she needed help on Juanita Road. During the call, the dispatcher reportedly heard a man’s voice say “no, no” before a struggle happened and the call ended. The dispatcher called back and determined the address where the phone was located. Later they called back a second time and reportedly spoke with an “emotionally distraught” man who stated that he wanted to kill himself before he hung up the call. Continue reading Two injured in Harrison County shooting

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK Tyler Police responded to a shooting in the 3200 block of Copeland Road around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to Tyler PD, a man was loading his car onto a trailer when someone on Tech Plaza shot at him. It’s unknown if anyone was injured in the shooting at this time. Tyler PD is continuing to investigate.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Harrison County Sheriff’s Office deputy and his family reportedly lost their house to a fire, according to our news partner KETK. “Tragedy struck the HCSO family this morning when Deputy Maguire woke up to his home on fire. Unfortunately, ESD crews did all they could but the structure and its contents were a total loss. We’re asking for your prayers during this family’s time of need,” said the sheriff’s office. The Texas Municipal Police Association shared a fundraiser that was made for the Maguire family. The association said the family of nine, lost everything including their Christmas gifts. “Your donations will help them rebuild and provide some comfort during the holiday season,” said the TMPA. Click here to donate.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler is spreading Christmas cheer to this year’s 2023 Angel Tree families. According to our news partner KETK, Angel Tree recipients began showing up on Friday morning for their appointments to get their gifts. “Thank God for the people that care enough to help people that are struggling,” said Gwen Smith, a Salvation Army Angel Tree recipient. Smith picked up gifts for her four grandchildren. “Oh my goodness it just means the world to me, you know it’s been very supportive for my family because I am struggling,” said Smith. Thanks to donations from big corporations, small businesses and community members, the organization is helping 2,500 children and senior angels this holiday season. “You know when people come up there to adopt an angel and you know there is even little kids that will come up adopt an angel,” said Dyane Garner, a Salvation Army volunteer. Garner has been volunteering for about 20 years. Continue reading Salvation Army distributes gifts to Tyler Angel Tree families

GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that that two people rescued from a house fire died on Friday after being injured in the fire. According to our news partner KETK Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Tool and Seven Points Fire Departments and Payne Springs Fire Rescue responded to the 400 block of Pleasureland Road at 2:56A.M. on Friday. Officials said the house was completely enveloped in flames when they arrived and firefighters immediately began to put out the flames. Two adults and a child were rescued from the home and taken to be treated for injuries. Two were taken by an ambulance to a local hospital and one was flown to a burn center in Dallas. According to Gun Barrel City Fire Department, one of the adult victims and the child later died because of their injuries from the fire. The Henderson County Fire Marshall Office and the Gun Barrel City Fire Marshall Office are working to determine the cause of the fire. Continue reading Adult, child dead after Gun Barrel City house fire

TYLER – Nathaniel Moran will be running for re-election uncontested, but in a release said he still plans on traveling across the district to meet with voters. According to a release, no other candidates have filed to run for election for Congressional District 1 on either party side for the upcoming primary election on March 5, 2024. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve East Texans in Washington, D.C., for another term,” Moran said. “Even though I don’t have an opponent, this is no time to rest. Continue reading Congressman Moran to run uncontested for re-election

TYLER – A Rusk County man was arrested after officials said he threatened workers at UT Health hospital in Tyler with a “dummy” grenade. According our news partner KETK and Tyler PD, John Lambeth, 60 of Henderson, was visiting his wife who was a patient at the hospital Thursday afternoon. Lambeth allegedly said he was upset he couldn’t take his wife out for a smoke break and pulled out a grenade. Officials say he then threatened the hospital workers with it. Officials said the grenade was later found to be not functional and did not contain explosives. Lambeth left the hospital and was later arrested for misdemeanor hoax bombs and booked into the Smith County Jail.