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SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s office has identified a man wanted in a manhunt Friday afternoon near Interstate 20. According to our news partner KETK, captured was 21-year-old Devoria Hardy of Fort Worth. Hardy was driving eastbound on I-20 when a Smith County Deputy attempted to stop him. His vehicle crossed lanes and was stuck in a ditch. This is when Hardy fled on foot. At this point, Smith County SO, DPS Troopers, Lindale Police Department and Precinct 5 Constable’s Office configured a search parameter near Hardy’s vehicle. Hardy was found a short time later in a wooded area off Interstate 20. The vehicle in question contained two handguns, 50 rounds of ammo, several thousand dollars and THC products. Hardy and his passenger 21-year-old Cordre Tolliver of Shreveport were arrested of a controlled substance, evading arrest and having outstanding warrants. Both men are now in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER – There was no winner in Friday night’s record Mega Millions jackpot. But, according to our news partner KETK, an East Texan has a Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million. This lucky pick was sold at 2030 W Gentry Parkway, which is the home of the Super Food Mart. Currently the Mega Millions jackpot has an estimated worth of $1.55 billion dollars, which would make it the largest in the game’s nearly 30-year history. For planning purposes, that estimated $1.55 billion, has a cash option of $757.2 million.

LONGVIEW – Longview school districts received a nice boost Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 148 teachers in LISD have received about $2 million in incentive pay. This is all part of what’s called TIA or Teacher Incentive Allotment. Melanie Pondan, the principal at Judson STEAM Academy said, “It is huge, it’s, first of all, it’s a lot of money, it’s life-changing money. It is great for retention, they’re not staying here just for the money, they stay here for the students and because of this district.” Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox added it is an honor to be able to celebrate the people making an impact in students’ lives.

SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Police Department said that they are assisting the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in a manhunt near the area of Toll 49, Interstate 20 and County Road 411 on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials said that there is a heavy law enforcement presence searching for a suspect described as a Black male with dreadlocks, a white shirt and shorts. Lindale Police have asked the public to lock doors, and report any information about the suspect to law enforcement.

TYLER – With the heat not going away soon. Some are wondering what fall and winter weather will bring. According to our news partner KETK, the Farmers’ Almanac predicts the winter forecast that Texas will see will be unseasonably cold and stormy winter for the upcoming winter.
Continue reading The Farmers’ Almanac winter prediction for Texas

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Authorities identified the man killed in the Cherokee County homicide case first reported earlier this week.

56-year-old David Sartain of Mount Selman was found dead on Wednesday near County Road 3429, the sheriff’s office said.

They identified the person of interest as 22-year-old Brandon Dale Fagan, whom they later said they located. No arrests have been made as of Friday.

The Texas Rangers have been called in to help with the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.

LINDEN – A Cass County jury has found former East Texas coach Aaron Michael Marshall guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child by contact.

Marshall was arrested back in Feb. 2022 after an investigation by the Linden Police Department was opened due to accusations of sexual abuse of a child from 2016 through 2020. He was initially charged with:

6 counts of indecency with a child by contact
3 counts of sexual assault of a child
1 count of continuous sexual assault of a child Continue reading Former East Texas coach sentenced to 100 years in prison for sexual abuse of child

TYLER — Officials are seeking information related to a February murder in Tyler. Warren Edward Rogers, 61, was found dead with a gunshot wound in a residence in the 1600 block of West Mims Street on Feb. 6, our news partner KETK reports. Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers is offering up a $1,000 reward for information, and the family and friends of Rogers are providing a supplemental reward of $1,000. “Rogers was a U.S. Army Veteran and loved by many friends and family,” Crimestoppers said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tyler Police Department or to remain anonymous, contact Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833. Only tips submitted directly to Crimestoppers are eligible are eligible for the cash reward.

TYLER — TxDOT is getting ready to begin a major project on Old Jacksonville Highway and they’re already in the process of clearing trees along portions of the roadway. According to our news partner KETK, it’s all to expand the road to accommodate busy traffic, improve safety and mobility. “Section from FM 346 in Flint stretching south toward Bullard and U.S. 69 will extend that roadway from a two-lane into four lanes, it will have a continuous left turning lane,” said Jeff Williford, Tyler TxDOT district public information officer. Continue reading TxDOT working to expand Old Jacksonville Highway

HARRISON COUNTY – A man was arrested after half a pound of marijuana was allegedly seized during a traffic stop in Harrison County, according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, on Wednesday a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. Authorities said the deputy had probable cause to conduct a narcotics search on the vehicle. The driver was identified as 39-year-old Shayne Thomas and during the search, the deputy reportedly found “about half a pound of marijuana.” Continue reading Half pound of marijuana seized during traffic stop in East Texas

TYLER — A dedication ceremony for a memorial called the “Hope Monument” was held in Tyler on Wednesday morning, our news partner KETK reports. The monument serves as a memorial to children who were lost due to miscarriage, accident or other circumstances. Dr. Lourell Sutliff and his wife Lynda donated the funds for the purchase of the memorial. “The loss of a child is such a sad situation that the physical depiction of a mother talking to Jesus while he’s comforting her child just sends a powerful message that there is hope, even in a sad and tragic situation,” said Dr. Lourell Sutliff. Dr. Sutliff said that it is a blessing for him and his wife to be an integral part of the monument. The monument is on display at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler at 800 East Dawson Street.

MARSHALL — Three adults and two juveniles were arrested in connection to the shooting death of a 16-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, on June 7, just after 1:30 a.m., officials were notified of a person lying in the roadway on Alexander Street. Upon arrival, officers found a young black male dead as the result of a single gunshot wound to the chest. An investigation found that the teen was lying in the road for more than an hour and a half before the police were called. Individuals reportedly drove around the body and took photos and video recordings of the body in the road. Two juveniles were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for robbery. Continue reading Five arrested in connection to teen’s shooting death

JACKSONVILLE — A woman is dead after being hit by a train in Jacksonville. According to our news partner KETK, on Wednesday around 1 p.m., Jacksonville police and fire departments responded to an accident in reference to a train hitting a pedestrian west of US 69 on the Union Pacific rail Line. The pedestrian was identified as 65-year-old Guillmerina Vera Perez of Jacksonville. Continue reading Police identify Jacksonville woman killed after being hit by train

LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD named a longtime police officer as their new chief of police for the school district. According to our news partner KETK, David Garza formerly with Lufkin PD and Diboll ISD, replaces Jay Jost who retires after 37 years with the school district. Garza received his criminal justice degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and Kilgore College Police Academy. Has been a Master Peace Office for 26 years working with the Lufkin Police Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. During his time with the TABC, Garza was a member of their special investigations unit and was also part of an FBI Human Trafficking Task Force. Continue reading Lufkin school district names new police chief

GREGG COUNTY – A man is dead after reportedly getting hit by a car half a mile south of Longview, according to our news partner KETK. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, a 2016 Nissan Altima was going northbound on FM 2087 on Monday around 9:53 p.m. DPS said that 46-year-old Shon C. Bell of Longview was walking south on the fog line when he was hit by the front right side of the Altima. Bell died at the scene and no injuries were reported by either person in the vehicle.