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TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree felony injury to a child according to our news partners at KETK. Joshua Meekings, 27, was initially arrested in May 2022 after, according to his arrest affidavit, his 4-year-old stepson suffered third-degree burns in a bathtub while in his care. The affidavit said that despite Meekings claim that he left the child in the bathtub while he went into another room to play video games, it is believed that he held the child down in the bathtub causing the burns on up to 36% of the child’s body. Meekings was indicted on Aug. 11, 2022 and pleaded guilty to injury to a child on Monday before he was sentenced.

TITUS COUNTY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said they’re searching for a man considered dangerous after a chase on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Matthew Colvile allegedly led Lamar County law enforcement on a chase through Red River County and into northern Titus County before bailing out of a reportedly stolen vehicle at his residence on Titus County Road 1925, officials said. Colvile reportedly continued to flee and got into a dark colored side by side/UTV that he drove into the woods. TCSO said he rammed several police vehicles in Lamar County and is believed to be in possession of one firearm at least. As of 11:30 p.m. on Friday he was still at large and officials believe he’s still in the area of his residence.

WOODVILLE – The Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened after a Woodville Police Department officer was shot on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officer Troy Costello was shot while responding to a call about a man causing a disturbance in the 200 block of Shivers Drive around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday. Costello reportedly tried to make contact with the man driving a white pickup truck but the driver allegedly ignored him and drove away. Costello pursued him for several blocks on MLK Drive, radioed for assistance and kept pursuing him onto South Pecan Street.The pursuit reportedly stopped at the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Pecan Street, where Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the driver. Continue reading Woodville police officer shot, Hemphill man dead

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities has been notified of a man and woman who have been calling local hotels claiming they are representatives of the Tyler Water Business Office and requesting payment. The callers state the hotels have 60 gallons of water left to use and need to pay $7,500 by Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to keep their service on. They also claim their meters were changed out and to keep them, the hotel must make this payment. The caller then states they will give them a bank code to make the payment and then they will need to call back with a confirmation number. The female is using the name Amy Diaz. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities warns of scam callers

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD said that a juvenile has been taken into custody in connection to a recent social media post threatening Henderson Middle School. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that on Friday morning students reported the seeing the post which threatened to “shoot up” the school. Although administrators determined there was no imminent danger, an investigation was started by HISD and Henderson Police Department. With the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, officials discovered the person who made the threat to the school. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody for making terroristic threats and officials said there are no other threats at this time. “The safety of our students and staff remains Henderson ISD’s top priority and we are appreciative of both the students who quickly reported this threat to teachers and the Henderson Police Department for their efforts and ongoing commitment to protect the students and staff of HISD.”

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced on Thursday they now have flu vaccines available. According to our news partner KETK, they’re available at the main office located at 815 N. Broadway Avenue on the corner of North Broadway and Gentry Parkway. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the clinic is open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Those enrolled on Medicaid or CHIP insurance plans can get their vaccinations for free. Children in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program will be assessed a $10 administrative fee. The price for adults is $25 and Medicare Part B is accepted. The high dose influenza vaccine is free for those on Medicare who are aged 65 years and older. Those without Medicare must pay $70. For more information, people are asked to contact the NET Health Immunizations Department at 903-510-5604.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that the Texas 12th Court of Appeals upheld a life sentence for Jacolbe Rashad Kirby, who was was given the sentence for the death of Malcolm Hunter who was shot and killed in his Jacksonville home in 2018. Kirby was convicted in February 2022 after a three day trial, and filed his appeal a few months later.

LONGVIEW – Trevorris Rashomique Woodard, 35 of Longview, has a warrant our for his arrest by the Longview Police Department. Our news partner KETK reports that this is in connection with a 2023 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case. Woodard is listed as a 5’7″ black man who weighs about 185 pounds.

Anyone with information about Woodard is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Zacorian Deandre White, 30, will serve 7 years after a Monday sentance by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after marijuana and oxycodone were reportedly found in his vehicle in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, White was pulled over by a DPS trooper on Dec. 18, 2022 on US 175 in Henderson County. During the stop, the trooper could reportedly smell the sent of marijuana coming from the vehicle. White then handed the trooper a joint on an ashtray along with a bag containing marijuana cigarettes. After a search was conducted, a backpack with more marijuana, a bottle that contained over 15 grams of oxycodone, a digital scale and a metal grinder were found in White’s possession.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has arrested a man and two juveniles in connection to a murder that took place in Longview back in April but are still searching for woman that was allegedly involved as well. Our news partner KETK reports that police arrested 41-year-old Andrew Thomas and booked him into the Gregg County Jail on a $500,000 and detained two juveniles Tuesday. Authorities have obtained a murder warrant for Shalonda Johnson, 41, in connection to the same crime. Police identified Johnson as a “black female, 5’5” and 190 pounds.” “If you know the current and exact location of Shalonda Johnson, submit a tip anonymously at Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867), or visit greggcountycrimestoppers.org or contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.”

SMITH COUNTY — A 34-year-old Dallas man was sentenced Friday to 60 years in prison for continuous human trafficking of minors. A Smith County jury found Korwin Jones guilty after four days of testimony, including the testimony of two victims who Jones trafficked. Jones became the target of an inter-agency investigation into human trafficking after a sting in the Dallas area. The Texas Rangers and Plano PD conducted an undercover operation that led to ties in Smith County. They notified the East Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) of a trafficker known as “BMT” who was trafficking girls under the age of 18. Smith County District Attorney’s Office investigator Chris Miller identified “BMT” as Korwin Jones, a known felon and gang member. Continue reading Convicted human smuggler sentenced

SMITH COUNTY — With this week’s rainfall, the conditions in the county are finally beginning to trend in a more favorable direction. However, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds citizens that all outdoor burning activity in the county is still prohibited. The recent precipitation in the area has helped, but it is not yet enough to overcome the drought conditions in the county. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) decreased 13 points this morning to 753. The KBDI is a metric used to measure the effects of seasonal drought on fire potential. The actual numeric value ranges from 0 (no moisture depletion) to 800 (absolutely dry conditions). Historically, the County has implemented a burn ban when the KBDI reaches the mid-600 to 700 range. Continue reading Smith County burn ban continues

OVERTON – The Overton High School principal Jeffery Darryl Hogg has been arrested on an assault charge after paddling a student left “substantial bruising”, according to an affidavit and our news partner KETK. On Wednesday, Hogg was arrested for the charge of assault causing bodily injury after an investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The affidavit stated that the student’s mother made a report to authorities on Aug. 15, one day after the incident. According to the affidavit, the mother gave the school consent to the corporal punishment of three hits “on the butt” and was present for the punishment of her child. The student allegedly told the mother and Hogg after the second hit, she did not want the last one and Hogg told her “it would be a shame to have to go to ISS when [the student] only had one lick left,” the affidavit stated. Continue reading Overton principal arrested after paddling student

HARRISON COUNTY – Three people were arrested on Wednesday at a Waskom home during a search warrant execution after “a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.” According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and our news partners at KETK, the search was a part of the joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force along with the Harrison County Emergency Response Team, sheriff’s office, Waskom police and Marshall police. Continue reading 3 arrested in drug trafficking investigation