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SMITH COUNTY — A Waco man was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Tuesday for charges related to the 2020 shooting death of a man in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Joshua Tibbits, 32, was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity in connection to the 2020 shooting death of a motorcyclist. Smith County officials at the time said 33-year-old Brandon Edwards was riding his motorcycle when he was shot and three men, including Tibbits, were arrested and identified as gang members. According to an arrest warrant, Edwards was wearing a jacket that depicted him as a member of the Cossacks Motorcycle Club and security footage showed a truck chasing Edwards near where he was killed. Tibbit’s trial began on Oct. 30, and he was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity on Tuesday. Later that same day, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying people who have repeatedly littered at the Lindale City Cemetery according to our news partners at KETK. Police said the first time they found “general trash” at the end of the driveway. The second time, police reportedly found two high backed bar chairs halfway down the driveway. Tuesday, police found a cabinet with two parts on top of a grave. “Illegal dumping is a big problem, but doing on graves is very disrespectful,” Lindale PD said in a statement. Lindale PD asks anyone who recognizes the items or who might have dumped it, to call them at 903-882-3313.

SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Friday, November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day. County offices will reopen on Monday, November 13, for normal business hours. The Commissioners Court on Tuesday adopted a resolution proclaiming Saturday, November 11, 2023, as Veterans Day in Smith County, thanking all County employees who are veterans, as well as all veterans in the community, who have selflessly and courageously served our country to protect our freedoms. Smith County has at least 80 employees who are veterans, serving the community through their positions in county. Thank you all for your service to our country and our county!

LONGVIEW — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced that a Longview man pleaded guilty to two felony charges brought after he attended the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. According to our news partner KETK, Ryan Taylor Nichols, 32, of Longview, plead guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, according to a press release. U.S. District Judge Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth has reportedly accepted the plea and Nichols has been remanded into custody of law enforcement. The plea agreement hearing took place Nov. 7. Nichols had rejected previous plea deal offers from government prosecutors. Continue reading Longview man pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

EAST TEXAS — The unofficial results from the November 7 election are in. More than a dozen proposed Texas constitutional amendments were on the ballot Tuesday, addressing laws on everything from property taxes and water projects to preventing what some call “wealth taxes.” Continue reading Election results for November 7

ANDERSON Co. – According to a preliminary investigation, a 2001 Ford F-150 Pickup operated by Terry McMillian, 49 of Seagoville, was traveling west on US 175 when he struck 67 year old Frankston native Russell Warrington. Warrington was stationary on a bicycle in the eastbound lane of US 175. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available. Warrington was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Gary Thomas. McMillian was not wearing a seat belt.

TYLER – The woman who died in a mobile home fire early Sunday has been identified as Jimmie Crossland Finn, 71 of Tyler. On Sunday November 5, 2023, at about 2:45 a.m., the Smith County Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a mobile home on fire in the 11100 Block of Spur 248, Tyler. Continue reading Woman who died in Sunday fire identified

HENDERSON — On Monday, the Eastex Telephone Cooperative was awarded $25,000,000 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand broadband in Cherokee county. According to our news partner KETK, the award is expected to connect more than 1,200 homes and around 200 farms. “Our mission is to make sure every rural American is served. That’s the place where our emphasis is,” said Andy Berke, administrator, USDA Rural Utilities Service. Under the federal reconnect program, Eastex will be able to install and provide fiber infrastructure. “You can sell the goods you’re making in Chicago or New York from East Texas. You can study wherever you want from East Texas, or go see a doctor from this. There’s so much opportunity open to you by this,” said Berke. The fiber network monthly cost will be kept low for anyone who qualifies. Continue reading USDA awards Cherokee County $25M towards broadband fiber

ATHENS — The Athens Police Department arrested a man after a money dispute reportedly led to the death of another man. According to our news partner KETK, on Nov. 3, APD officers were dispatched to a disturbance on the 900 block of East Lane Street where people were calling for help and pointing to an unconscious man laying on the ground. Officers then rendered CPR until the EMS arrived. Officers reportedly interviewed witnesses who described the disturbance that began when the suspect, Brayan Castro Castellanos, 28, walked over to a residence to collect money. Police said an argument began between the two men that led to a physical fight. The victim “was knocked off the porch onto his head, which was the unconscious male APD found upon arrival,” according to police. Continue reading Suspect charged with homicide following money dispute

SMITH COUNTY — The Justice Department announced Monday that Smith County was one of four Texas counties found to be in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, stating that their elections website is not accessible to people with certain disabilities. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County received a public letter dated Nov. 6, one day before Election Day, along with Colorado County, Runnels County and Upton County, detailing the DOJ’s findings. The DOJ said they found the websites “are not accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision, or who cannot grasp a mouse, and use screen readers, keyboards or other assistive technology.” The investigation was launched in response to a complaint about accessibility of the website. Continue reading Election website deemed ‘inaccessible’ for disabled

TYLER — ampV’s flagship building will now be known as the Campbell and Snow Veterans Resource Center following a ceremony on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the building was renamed in honor of Susan Campbell and Jim Snow, who co-founded CampV in 2017. In the past four years, CampV had more than 16,000 appointments aiming to help service members and their families. “It was Jim Snow and Susan Campbell that came together in a Starbucks parking lot, in a Starbucks of all places, and wrote down on a napkin a one-stop shop idea for veteran services here in East Texas,” said Jim Gladhill, CampV executive director. Campbell and Snow said there were a lot of resources for veterans to navigate but they wanted to be an organization that was easily accessible and online. “There are a lot of sources but it is hard for veterans to navigate all that goodwill online to be able to have a trusted resource and I think that’s what we are representing,” said Campbell. Their goal now is for CampV to serve more veterans and for their program to be redone across the state and nationwide. Click here for more details.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that a human skull was found at a home on Greenbriar Lake Road. Officials fielded a call Monday morning that a human skull was found at a home being remodeled. Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies met the new owners of the residence. They showed the deputies the skull, which was found in a closet near the dining area. So far no other remains have been found. Sheriff Larry Smith said in a press release , “The skull will be sent to the University of North Texas for forensic analysis.” Smith added this is an open investigation and more information will be given out when available.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said that one person was found dead after a mobile home in the 11100 block of Spur 248 caught fire on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officials said that a call reported the fire around 2:45 a.m. and the Chapel Hill VFD, Jackson Heights VFD, Whitehouse VFD, Smith County Emergency Services District 2, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene. Continue reading Tyler mobile home fire leaves 1 dead