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VAN ZANDT COUNTY — An East Texas deputy is sentenced to 44 months in prison for hitting a handcuffed suspect in the face. Former Van Zandt County Chief Deputy Craig Shelton received 3 years and 8 months sentence in a Tyler Federal Court Wednesday. Shelton said he accepted full responsibility for violating the victim’s civil rights in the November 2021 incident. In addition to his prison sentence, Shelton will also receive drug and alcohol counseling. Also Wednesday, former Van Zandt County Deputy Blake Snell was sentenced to 1 year of probation for obstruction of justice in the incident involving Shelton.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a woman who was reported missing. Courtney Taylor Martin, 34, was reported missing by her family on May 24. Martin was last seen near County Road 42 and FM 724 on May 18. She is described as a white female, about 5’5″ and 250 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials said Martin is reported to have a mental illness and is not taking her medication for the illness. According to the sheriff’s office, she has been known to hang out in the area of “tent city” near the Super 1 Foods store on East Gentry Parkway. Anyone with information on Martin’s whereabouts is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW – Two people are dead and nine others are injured after a five-car crash in Longview on Monday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, a white Chevrolet Sonic with one passenger was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on South Eastman Road when the car “failed to stop and struck another vehicle.” Longview police responded around 5 p.m. to the scene in the 3100 block of North Eastman Road and Fourth Street. The driver of the Chevrolet Sonic, identified as Callie Bearden, 19 of Longview, was taken to a local hospital where she later died of her injuries. Shelby Partain, 32, a passenger of a separate car, was taken to a local hospital where she died of her injuries. Nine other people were taken to a local hospital for treatment, and police said they are continuing to investigate the crash.

TYLER — The debt ceiling and budget cuts package is heading toward a crucial U.S. House vote. East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran spoke with KTBB Wednesday morning about his thoughts on the overall Fiscal Responsibility Act package. Moran said, “As I read this bill over the past few day, I can tell you we’re in a much better place under this bill than we were 90 days ago, when the President would not negotiate on a debt ceiling increase.” Moran goes on to say, “We have a lot of spending reforms, a lot of regulatory and administrative reforms that have been needed for a while. It’s good. Whether or not it’s good enough to earn a ‘yes’ vote from me and a ‘yes’ vote from the First District of Texas…we’ll see.” Moran says, “We’re going to work through that process all the way up until the time of the vote today, and then we’ll cast the vote that best represents the interests of the people of the First District of Texas.” Continue reading East Texas Congressman weighs in on crucial debt ceiling budget vote

TYLER – A Tyler man was charged with manslaughter in connection to the April 2022 death of a 17-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, 27-year-old Billy Bernard Maddox, Jr. was indicted for manslaughter in the overdose death of Preston Hawley. In September 2022, Maddox was charged with tampering/fabricating with intent to impair evidence and bonded out the same day. He was later arrested on a manslaughter charge on May 26 in connection to the same case. According to an arrest warrant, Hawley used to live with Maddox. The warrant states that detectives were told Maddox was “a known drug dealer.” On the afternoon of April 23, 2022, Tyler police detectives were called to a hospital in response to a patient who died of an apparent overdose, identified as Hawley. Continue reading Tyler man indicted for manslaughter in connection to overdose death

TYLER – “Property taxes are suffocating Texans,” said Abbott. “We must fix that this session.” It’s been Governor Greg Abbott’s message from the very beginning. Even though the 88th legislative session is now over, lawmakers are still working around the clock to pass legislation according to our news partner KETK. This time they have two tasks: property tax relief and border security. Abbott called a special session Monday after republican leaders in the house and senate could not pass laws on his top priorities. Number one on the list in this special session is property tax relief for Texans. “Hard-working Texans produced the largest budget surplus in Texas history,” added Abbott. “That money belongs to the taxpayers. Continue reading Schaefer confident Abbott’s agenda gets done

TYLER – The district attorney’s office elected to seek the death penalty for one of three men charged with capital murder in the June 2021 death of a Tyler 17-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Andres Urrutia, 21 of Tyler and his two co-defendants were indicted for capital murder by terroristic threat in September 2021 after Jesse McNeely, 17, was found shot at his home on Omega Drive. Two of the men charged in this case, Urrutia and his co-defendant Lorenzo Martinez, 22 of Tyler, were arrested days after the shooting in Galveston County before being transported back to Tyler and booked into the Smith County Jail. Continue reading Death penalty sought for capital murder of Tyler teen

TYLER– The East Texas Food Bank announced on Tuesday CEO Dennis Cullinane will retire at the end of their fiscal year on June 30. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the CEO of such an incredible organization since 2010,” Cullinane said. According to our news partner KETK, the food banks board of directors formed a search committee and hired a firm to help recruit candidates for the CEO position. Chair of the ETFB board, Jeff Johnson, said the new CEO will start in June in order to train with Cullinane before his depature. “The ETFB board is very thankful for the 13 years of service Dennis has provided,” Johnson said. “During his tenure, ETFB doubled its meal distribution where today we are providing 27 million meals to 117,300 households in 26 counties in East Texas. He led us through the pandemic where ETFB saw tremendous need with long lines of people seeking food assistance, some for the first time.”

NACOGDOCHES — Governor Abbott has signed a bill officially making Stephen F. Austin a member of the University of Texas System. The Nacogdoches University becomes the 14th affiliate of the UT System. State Representative Travis Clardy says SFA will receive about $125million in funding over the next four years as a result of becoming a UT System member. SFA will have access to the permanent university fund, the largest high-education endowment in the U.S SFA will retain its colors, culture, and name. Students and tenured faculty are guaranteed to retain their status in the university.

TYLER — Polling ahead of a major senate showdown seems to point to a big shakeup. A new UT Tyler poll, conducted between May 10th and 21st shows Senator Cruz with a single digit lead over Democrat Collin Allred, which looks eerily similar to early polling in his race against Beto O’Rourke in 2018. Cruz went on to win that race by less than three points, in spite of the seemingly photo finish results. Analysts say it might not be all that accurate. A separate poll for the same race released last week by Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation show Cruz with a more comfortable 7 point lead.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partner KETK reports that a local bowling alley and activity center in Mount Pleasant caught fire early Monday morning. According to Mount Pleasant Deputy Fire Chief Brad Eubanks, the call came in around 5:56 a.m. and they responded to a fire at the MP bowling alley. State investigators are at the scene as of 10 a.m., looking into the fire and the cause of the fire is not known at this time. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

EAST TEXAS –Hundreds of East Texans gathered at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home to honor fallen members of the United States Armed Forces on Memorial Day. Several speakers and performers were there to pay tribute, including Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and the Marine Corps League who gave a 21-gun salute. “We gather here today once again on this hallowed ground, to honor those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving out country,” Sheriff Larry smith said. Musical performances included the National Anthem by the East Texas Men in Harmony and Taps by Tyler Police officer John Weaver. Continue reading East Texas honors fallen troops

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — One person is dead after a Sunday afternoon motorcycle crash on Highway 80 near Fruitvale. Our news partner KETK reports that according to a preliminary DPS report, a 2008 Harley Davidson was traveling west on the highway around 2:30 p.m. “at an unsafe speed to negotiate a curve,” and left the road striking a guardrail. The driver, identified as Tommy Stites, 55 of Baytown, was pronounced dead on the scene, and DPS reported he had not been wearing a helmet. The investigation is ongoing.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD’s Summer Child Nutrition Program will start giving out free breakfast and lunch for students on June 6. According to our news partner KETK, the food will be available at J.L Everhart Elementary School, Hudson PEP Elementary School, Ware Elementary School, Forest Park Middle School and Longview High School. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch is served from 12 p.m. to 12:30p.m., except for at the high school where lunch will be served until 2 p.m. There are no requirements students need to meet to be fed by the program. Continue reading Longview ISD starting up Summer food program

TYLER – A child was hit and injured by a vehicle driving on West Morris Street in Tyler around 6:46 p.m. on Sunday. Tyler Police Department confirmed that it appears as if the child step out into the road before being hit. They were then taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital. Officials said that the child was awake and alert. According to our news partner KETK, the vehicle driver stayed on the scene after the child was hit and no criminal charges are being pursued at this time.