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WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Longview man federally charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is set to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement in November. Ryan Nichols, 32, has rejected previous plea deal offers from government prosecutors, and is accused of several crimes stemming from the riot ranging from civil disorder to assaulting federal officers. In a motion filed by the defense, it said “Mr. Nichols is set to plead guilty in this Court sometime around the trial date.” A plea agreement hearing has been set for Nov. 7. The government said in a previous court filing they had planned to present evidence in a trial focusing on “the defendant’s own words.” Continue reading Longview man ‘set to plead guilty’ to federal charges in Capitol riot case

SMITH COUNTY — One person was arrested in Smith County for illegal dumping after materials were found along a bridge and creek on private property. The Texas Game Wardens announced on Tuesday that a Smith County Game Warden received a call from a landowner about the dumped materials. The materials included sheetrock, housing trim and various plastic items. “Among the litter, the warden found a box with a bar code,” Texas Game Wardens said. “He used it to track down a local store where the supplies were purchased and traced it to a credit card.” Officials said the warden interviewed the owner of the card who recently did a home remodel for his family. He reportedly told the warden he paid someone familiar to the family to haul their materials and trash. “Unfortunately, the suspect kept the money and dumped the trash onto private property,” officials said. According to the Texas Game Wardens, the suspect was arrested for commercial dumping over 200 pounds, and their truck contained more building materials and trash.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank will host their 12th annual Charlie Brown Thanksgiving event at the Bergfeld park on Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, children will be handed snack bags with jelly beans, juice, pretzels and popcorn. The snack selection symbolizes those depicted in the Thanksgiving meal of the Charlie Brown classic holiday special. The cartoon special will be shown at the amphitheater and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs or seat cushions. “The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a great way for families to kick-off the holiday season,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “This event reminds East Texans about the true spirit of the Thanksgiving season and the needs of so many families impacted by hunger in our area. We are asking for donations of plastic jars of peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in protein and just one regular size jar can make 16 sandwiches for a hungry family.” Snoopy will be present and children are welcome to take photos after the movie. Children can also enter a drawing contest to win prizes.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County announced on Monday they have completed a Road Bond Project for County Roads 1125, 1140 and 1141, west of Tyler, according to our news partner KETK. The reconstruction included widening, stabilization and asphalt of overlay of almost 5 miles of road. The projects cost $1,757,194. According to county engineer Frank Davis, one section of road had needed to have increased asphalt thickness because of heavy truck traffic. These projects were a part of Phase 2 of the Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Project. Phase 1 of County Road 1125 included the reconstruction of 1.7 miles of the road from Highway 155 to Lake Placid Road completed in 2021. Phase 1 improvements to CR 1125 also included the replacement of a concrete bridge at Butler Creek.

KILGORE — On Monday, Kilgore College held a groundbreaking ceremony for the CDL Driver Training Track, classroom facility and construction of the warehouse training building. According to our news partner KETK, this will aid efforts to the major expansion to the Kilgore College Transportation Institute. The college’s partnership with the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation secured the land the track will be on and will allow for future expansion. Their goal is to become a fully equipped transportation training institute. Kilgore College also worked with the City of Kilgore in the design and approval of the project that will be constructed by RLM General Contractors.

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK Smith County has completed a Road Bond Project for County Roads 1125, 1140 and 1141, west of Tyler. This reconstruction of the roads included widening, stabilization and asphalt of overlay of almost 5 miles of road. The projects were contracted out to Texana Land & Asphalt Inc. and cost $1,757,194. According to county engineer Frank Davis, one section of road had needed to have increased asphalt thickness because of heavy truck traffic. These projects were a part of Phase 2 of the Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Project. Phase 1 of County Road 1125 included the reconstruction of 1.7 miles of the road from Highway 155 to Lake Placid Road completed in 2021. Phase 1 improvements to CR 1125 also included the replacement of a concrete bridge at Butler Creek by Stateline Construction LLC.

KILGORE – The City of Kilgore has announced that they will temporarily be switching from chloramine to free chlorine as their water disinfectant. Our news partner KETK reports that public water system customers may notice a change in the taste and smell of their water after the switch happens on Nov. 1. The change will only last for 45 to 60 days, according to a press release. This change is being made because over time “prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system,” the city said. To learn more about the Chlorine conversion visit the City of Kilgore online. Continue reading Kilgore switching to free Chlorine in water

TEXARKANA — Three teenagers were arrested early Monday morning in Texarkana for burglary and evading arrest. According to our news partner KETK Demarkes Tucker, 17, and two 15-year-olds were arrested after a business was broken into. Officials said they responded to a call in the 4700 block of Texas Boulevard from a store owner who reported he was looking at a live feed video from the store and could see three males breaking into the business. While officers were on their way to the location, the store owner informed dispatch that the three had left. A sergeant responded to the area and patrolled the street on foot where officials said he encountered three people dressed in dark clothing at the intersection of 46th Street and Walnut Street. Continue reading Teens charged with burglary, evading arrest

SMITH COUNTY – Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. There are 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for everyone in Smith County. The Cities of Whitehouse and Overton, and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts are each holding special elections. Click here for a list of voting locations in Smith County. Click here to view a sample ballot.

TYLER – Joseph Brewer of Tyler, is a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at The University of Texas at Tyler. Brewer has also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is now receiving $5,000 as a 2023 “Help A Hero” Scholar. The scholarship comes from VFW Carl Webb Post 1799 in Tyler and Sports Clips. Brewer is a research assistant in the Enhancing Lives and Experiences of Veterans Affected by Traumatic Events or ELEVATE Research Lab at UT Tyler said, “I appreciate Sport Clips and the VFW for selecting me for the Help A Hero scholarship. It made a huge difference in my life. Everyone who donated money has helped keep my educational goals alive, and for that I am deeply appreciative of all who played a part in it.”
Continue reading VFW names UT Tyler student Help A Hero Scholar

TYLER — An employee of East Texas Lighthouse in Tyler recently won the 2023 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award from the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). According to our news partner KETK, Craig Ellis, had a 12-year career in management and owned a flooring business but in 2009 he became blind due to macular degeneration. Ellis struggled to find employment but, according to a press release, he impressed leaders at East Texas Lighthouse who created a job for him as an inventory planner. East Texas Lighthouse is a non-profit whose mission is to empower the blind. They have two divisions, a manufacturing operation and a community rehabilitation facility. According to a press release, they’re the largest employer of the blind across East Texas. Continue reading East Texas Lighthouse employee wins national award

UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb has announced that he is running for re-election in 2024. Our news partners at KETK report that he’s looking to win a third term as sheriff. Webb stated that the county jail has been made much safer due to policy changes and upgrades. He continued by saying the sheriff’s department has implemented more training, more equipment and community safety initiatives. To find polling places across East Texas, click here.