Ousted Tyler bishop rallies outside values meeting

Ousted bishop rallies outside meeting as his peers reinforce valuesBALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. bishops inside a Baltimore hotel approved materials on how Catholics should vote in 2024 elections. Soon after, their recently ousted colleague and dozens of his supporters rallied outside the annual fall business meeting. Bishop Joseph Strickland is a conservative cleric who was recently removed by Pope Francis as head of the diocese of Tyler. His ouster followed his increasingly severe criticisms of the pontiff. Strickland prayed the rosary with dozens of supporters along the waterfront. Inside their conference room, the bishops approved a document about how Catholics should rely on the church’s teaching when making their ballot choices. The document restated many longstanding positions like opposition to abortion. Continue reading Ousted Tyler bishop rallies outside values meeting

Upshur County double murder suspect in custody

Upshur County double murder suspect in custodyUPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County officials said capital murder suspect Alvin Charles McKnight Jr. is in custody as of Wednesday night at 11:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb is expected to provide more information Thursday morning at the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Training Center. McKnight Jr. had been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List Tuesday. He was wanted after two sisters were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Nov. 4. McKnight’s sister was arrested for allegedly helping him flee Upshur County.

Rusk Rural Water Supply issues boil water notice

Rusk Rural Water Supply issues boil water noticeRUSK – Rusk Rural Water Supply (RRWS) has issued a boil water notice for some customers on Wednesday due to a main line leak. Our news partners at KETK report that some customers on Highway 84 who will be contacted by phone, and customers on FM 2962, CR 1316 and CR 1322 are all affected by the notice. According to officials, a notice will be sent out once the notice has been lifted. RRWS previously rescinded a boil water notice on November 13th.

Update on death of East Texas inmate

Updated report gives more information about death of East Texas inmateHOUSTON COUNTY – A custodial death report released last week revealed information on an inmate’s death in a Houston County prison according to our news colleagues at KETK. 41-year-old Clint Wilson died in TDCJ’s Wainwright Unit, located in Lovelady, on May 18. According to the report, there has been an evaluation by a medical examiner/coroner, but the manner of death in the report is listed as “could not be determined.” The report stated that Wilson was found unresponsive in his “restrictive housing cell” on May 18 around 6:24 a.m. and correctional staff attempted life-saving measures, but Wilson was pronounced dead at 7:15 a.m. Wilson was reportedly serving time for murder and had been in custody since 2013.

Two injured in Nacogdoches County shooting

Two injured in Nacogdoches County shootingNACOGDOCHES – A woman and juvenile were injured after a shooting last week in Nacogdoches according to our ews partners at KETK. Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call shortly before 6 a.m. on Nov. 7 saying that a woman was being treated at a local hospital for “numerous injuries” after an assault at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 59 N. A firearm was discharged during the altercation, injuring a juvenile. The juvenile’s wounds were non-life threatening and both the juvenile and adult victim were treated and released from the hospital the same day. Authorities are withholding the identities of the victims at this time, and as the investigation continues more details will be released. The NCSO thanked the Nacogdoches Police Department for their help with the case.

Jacksonville athletic trainer arrested for child sex assault

Jacksonville ISD athletic trainer arrested for child sex assaultJACKSONVILLE – An athletic trainer contracted by Jacksonville ISD was arrested on Nov. 8 for second-degree felony sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Kyle Kingrey was arrested by Cherokee County Sheriff’s officers after they were contacted by school district police about Kingrey having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Officials with Jacksonville ISD said that Kingrey was not employed directly by the district, but supplied to them by an outside source. Kingrey was booked into the Cherokee County Jail  with bond set at $100,000. The sheriff’s office said this is an ongoing investigation. Continue reading Jacksonville athletic trainer arrested for child sex assault

Local superintendent lone finalist for San Angelo schools

Local superintendent named lone finalist for San Angelo school districtWHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran was named the lone finalist for superintendent of San Angelo ISD on Monday by their board of trustees. According to San Angelo ISD and our news partner KETK, Moran will replace Dr. Carl Dethloff as superintendent, who plans to retire at the end of December 2023. The board of trustees is set to vote on Moran after a state-mandated 21-day waiting period. “It is a joy and honor to be named lone finalist of San Angelo ISD,” Moran said. “The Moran family is looking forward to joining a wonderful community in West Texas with strong values and a love for every student. We are committing our very best every day for the entire San Angelo community.” Moran is a 32-year veteran educator, and became superintendent of Whitehouse ISD in 2016. Whitehouse ISD said they are working with Moran to develop an interim plan until a new superintendent is hired. Continue reading Local superintendent lone finalist for San Angelo schools

Catholic bishops meet; leaders call for unity amid internal strife

Catholic bishops meet; leaders call for unity amid internal strifeBALTIMORE (AP) — Catholic leaders called for peace in a war-torn world and unity amid strife within their own clerical ranks on Tuesday, as U.S. bishops gathered in Baltimore for their annual fall meeting. The meeting came soon after two actions by Pope Francis that illustrated the divisive challenges facing the Catholic Church – removing one of his harshest conservative critics from his role as bishop of Tyler, Texas, and releasing a document conveying a more welcoming stance to transgender people than the official positions of the U.S. bishops. In his opening address Tuesday, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed empathy for those in conflict zones, from Myanmar to the Middle East. “We recognize and defend the right of Israel to exist and to enjoy a place among the nations,” said Broglio, who heads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.” At the same time, we know that the Palestinians … have a right to a land that is their own. The Holy See has long advocated for that right.” Continue reading Catholic bishops meet; leaders call for unity amid internal strife

Tyler Legacy names field-house after former coach

Tyler Legacy HS names field-house after former coachTYLER – In a released Tyler ISD announced that Tyler Legacy High School’s athletic field-house will go under a new name. Monday night, the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the Field House at Tyler Legacy High School after former coach Mike Owens. It will now be called the Coach Mike Owens Field House. Coach Owens led the former Robert E. Lee High School (REL) to the 2004 Class 5A Division I State Football Championship. He retired after the 2010 season in 2011.

Double homicide suspect on Texas Most Wanted List

Upshur County double murder suspect in custodyUPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that a double homicide suspect from Upshur County has been added to the Texas Most Wanted List. It was announced on Tuesday by DPS that Alvin “Pookie” McKnight Jr., 41, of Gilmer, was added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List and Texas Crime Stoppers. A cash reward of up to $7,500 is being offered in exchange for information leading to his arrest. Upshur County Crime Stoppers are also offering a reward for any anonymous tips leading to McKnight Jr.’s arrest. That reward is $10,000. He is wanted after two sisters were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Nov. 4, and McKnight’s sister has since been arrested for allegedly helping him flee Upshur County.

U.S. Marshals arrest 2 federal fugitives in Panola County

U.S. Marshals Service arrest 2 federal fugitives in Panola CountyPANOLA COUNTY – Two fugitives were arrested Monday in Panola County due to the efforts of the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. According to our news partner KETK, 42-year-old Timothy Earl Brown was arrested for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements, which is a federal probation violation. Also arrested was 29-year-old Angel Uscanga-Baldovinos of Carthage, for a federal probation violation. A spokesperson with the Panola County Sheriff’s Office said “We value our partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Marshals which assist us in accomplishing our mission of keeping our community safe.”

Tyler Police investigate fatal hit and run

Tyler Police investigate fatal hit and runTYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a fatal hit and run accident involving a pedestrian. It happened just before 10:00 Monday night at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Haynie Avenue. Arriving officers said the victim was severely injured and transported to a local hospital where he later died. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family. The vehicle that struck the victim left the scene. It’s described as a maroon or burgundy Yukon or Tahoe that will likely have front end damage. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Chamberlain at 903-531-1058.

Woman arrested for intoxication manslaughter

Woman arrested for intoxication manslaughterLONGVIEW — A woman was arrested in Longview Friday night in connection to a pedestrian crash left one person dead. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police are investigating the crash that happened on Pine Tree Road around 11:45 p.m. Officials said Candice Gearhart, 50, of Longview, was driving north in the outer lane and struck someone on a motorized scooter. The victim was taken to a local hospital and later died from injuries. Police said Gearhart was arrested for intoxication manslaughter. She was booked into the Gregg County Jail where she was later released after posting a $25,000 bond. Anyone who witnessed or has information about the crash is asked to contact the Longview Police Department Traffic Division at 903-237-1188.