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UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that a 16-year-old juvenile has been arrested in connection to the burning of Mt. Lebanon CME Church on Friday. Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the fire at Mt. Lebanon CME Church, located on Squirrel Road off of FM 2088, around 7:41 p.m. on Friday. The fire burned the church so badly that it was a near complete loss, according to the sheriff’s office and our colleagues at KETK. Continue reading Minor arrested, allegedly burned Upshur County church

MALAKOFF – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said that one of their patrol units was hit by a passing car while conducting a traffic stop near Malakoff on Saturday according to our news partners at KETK. “When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road please slow down and move over! It’s not only State law but it’s the right thing to do! We were extremely lucky this morning.” The patrol unit was hit from behind and officials said it was hit so hard it became airborne. According to HCSO, all of the vehicles involved were damaged but all the occupants were able to walk away uninjured.

TYLER – The Tyler Public Library (TPL) celebrates the freedom to read during Banned Books Week with a book giveaway! TPL will be giving out paperback copies of two famous banned pieces of literature from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6. The Library will be giving away 20 copies of Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, 20 copies of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and 50 copies of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the publication. Books will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited supply, the Library will limit one book per family, with each of the titles’ inventory spread throughout the week. This giveaway is possible thanks to monetary donations made by the public. Continue reading Tyler Library celebrates Banned Books Week

CROCKETT, Texas (KETK) – A man was arrested in Crockett on Sept. 23 for allegedly using stolen credit cards to buy gasoline on more than one occasion. Our news partners at KETK report a business on Loop 304 in Crockett reported a fuel theft worth about $1,111 on Aug. 28, according to the Crockett Police Department. “The investigation showed an unidentified individual pumping fuel at the business on several occasions, usually late at night or in the early morning hours when the business was closed,” according to Crockett PD. “Each time, the individual drove different vehicles and paid for the fuel using fraudulent credit cards.” Continue reading Man arrested for allegedly using stolen credit cards

TYLER – According to a release, the Tyler Public Library will be celebrating Banned Books Week by giving away pieces of literature beginning on Monday, Oct 2. through Friday, Oct. 6. There is limited supply and will be on a first come, first served basis. Some of the books being given away include Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, which is celebrating its 70th year in publication. Banned Books Week was first celebrated nationwide in 1982.

COFFEE CITY – On Thursday, the Mayor of Coffee City Jeff Blackstone gave an update in regards to citizens concerns over paying citations given by what they think were untrustworthy cops after the department was deactivated earlier this month. Blackstone told our news partner KETK that people still need to pay their citations and that many people haven’t had an issue getting that done as they can use a payment plan or take defensive driving. When it comes to tickets for going 10 or more mph over the speed limit, Blackstone said “people should do the right thing and pay.” Coffee City will be holding a city council meeting on Monday where Blackstone said they will clarify this information to all residents who are concerned about paying their citations. Continue reading Coffee City tickets are still valid

TYLER – The lobby of the Tyler Police Department on West Ferguson Street will be closed Friday. According to a press release from Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the lobby closure is because of electrical work. Detectives and staff will work from the Faulkner Park Station at West Cumberland Road. Property release and other functions attached to the lobby with be closed. Dispatch, 911 and patrol services will not interrupted. The lobby will be open again Monday at 8 a.m.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that one man was indicted by a federal grand jury and two more people were arrested after a search warrant found 145 grams of meth, marijuana and firearms. Malon McCaslin was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearms on Sept. 20. A search warrant was executed at McCaslin’s house on County Road 4106 and 145 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms were reportedly found there, according to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Arrests in Cherokee County, meth, firearms seized

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved the appointment of a new fire marshal Wednesday morning. Our news partners at KETK report that the council unanimously voted to approve Joey Hooton for the job, a man with nearly 20 years of experience. He has served on the Command Staff for the last six years and recently earned a master’s degree from UT Tyler in public administration, Tyler Fire Chief David Coble said. Continue reading Hooton named new Tyler Fire Marshal

LONGVIEW — One person was arrested for arson early Wednesday morning in Longview after their home caught fire. According to Longview Fire Department and our colleagues at KETK, they responded to the scene at 404 East Shofner around 3 a.m. for a reported structure fire. Crews reportedly found heavy fire and smoke conditions coming from two windows on the rear corner of the house. “The room of origin was determined to be in a back bedroom and the fire had spread into the attic,” officials said. “There were no reported injuries.” Officials said that crews were able to bring the fire under control in about 10 minutes, and the lone occupant of the home was questioned and later arrested for arson. Longview fire responded with three fire engines, two ladder trucks, an ambulance and four support vehicles for a total of 21 personnel.

TYLER – An arrest warrant affidavit provides new details in the death of a missing 18-year-old woman who was found Tuesday afternoon in a ravine behind the Hollytree Apartments in Tyler. Jamaurea Britton, 19, of Tyler, was arrested on Tuesday for murder, according to his arrest affidavit, after a body was recovered near his apartment and later confirmed to be Deja Hood. Hood was reported missing by her mother earlier that day after she had been out with friends and disappeared. Her mother told police she recalled her friend to be Britton, according to our news partners at KETK. Continue reading Tyler man admits to killing missing woman