Thrive Longview participating in East Texas Giving Day

Thrive Longview participating in East Texas Giving DayGREGG COUNTY – Thrive Longview is one of more than 40 nonprofit organizations from Gregg County that are participating in East Texas Giving Day this year. According to our news partner KETK, the even it put on by the East Texas Communities Foundation and this year’s online donation event will be April 25. Thrive Longview works with middle schoolers to teach principles of community, stewardship and mentorship. They provide after-school programming from Monday through Thursday during the school year, an eight-week summer camp and leadership development programming on middle school campuses.

Man charged with human smuggling following traffic stop

Man charged with human smuggling following traffic stopHARRISON COUNTY — A man has been arrested in Harrison County for allegedly smuggling five individuals. According to our news partner KETK, around 1:10 p.m. Sunday, a Harrison County deputy conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation on Interstate 20 eastbound at the 619 mile marker. When speaking with the driver of the vehicle, the deputy said the driver’s behavior indicated that criminal activity was taking place.  During the deputy’s investigation of the vehicle, the driver was identified as Benjamin Rios-Perez, 32, and officials said that he was participating in human smuggling by transferring five individuals for $700 per person which led to the vehicle and $3,701 being seized. Continue reading Man charged with human smuggling following traffic stop

TJC to stage mock emergency drill near Rose Stadium on Tuesday

TJC to stage mock emergency drill near Rose Stadium on TuesdayTYLER — Tyler Junior College will hold a mock emergency exercise on Tuesday, in collaboration with the TJC fire and law enforcement academies, emergency medical services professions, communications and theatre departments. The event will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, in the parking lot between Mike Carter Field and Rose Stadium, located on Fair Park Drive in Tyler. According to a TJC news release, by simulating a multi-vehicle accident involving an intoxicated driver, this scenario will allow students to experience various challenges, such as extinguishing a fire, rescuing passengers, providing medical attention, securing the scene and addressing legal/media interaction best practices. Continue reading TJC to stage mock emergency drill near Rose Stadium on Tuesday

Hope Awards presented by East Texas Crisis Center

Hope Awards presented by East Texas Crisis CenterTYLER – In recognition of members of the community above and beyond for survivors of sexual violence, the East Texas Crisis Center handed Hope Award to those being recongized. Those from Smith County receiving the Hope Award were Angela Faulkner with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Sgt Joseph Durr with the Office of the Attorney General and Bethany Morgan with the Counseling Nook for Trauma and Disassociation. East Texas Crisis Center Volunteer. Tyler Mayor Don Warren noted that the Center provided services in 2022 to 327 survivors of sexual violence. April is sexual assault awareness month and East Texas Crisis Center will be hosting survivor support events during the month.

Panola County Sheriff’s arrest fellow employee

Panola County Sheriff’s arrest fellow employeeCARTHAGE –An employee in the Panola County Sheriff’s Department was arrested for theft and abuse of official capacity. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Cutter Clinton said that county employee Torey McLemore of Carthage resigned his position just prior to being booked. Clinton also said that his office became aware of possible violations in March and launched an internal investigation with the Texas Rangers assisting. The charges against McLemore are Class C misdemeanors.

Thursday is the deadline to register to vote in May 6 election

Deadline to Register to Vote in May 6 ElectionSMITH COUNTY — The deadline to register to vote or make a change of address to be able to vote in the upcoming election is Thursday, April 6. If you are not sure if you are registered, you can find out here. You can also find an application at this website to fill out, print and return to the Smith County Elections Office. You can also visit the Smith County Elections Office, at 302 E. Ferguson Street in Tyler, to fill it out in person. Continue reading Thursday is the deadline to register to vote in May 6 election

Mineola ISD reports two threats allegedly made by students

Mineola ISD reports 2 threats allegedly made by students, 1 student detainedMINEOLA — Police are investigating two separate threats allegedly made by students toward Mineola ISD on Thursday and Friday, the district said. One student was searched and no harmful objects were found, another student was detained, the district said. Our news partner KETK reports, on Thursday a report was made to the middle school administration office about a broad threat made on a church van the evening before concerning possible harm to the middle school campus. “As required by law, a Behavioral Threat Assessment was conducted to investigate the student and these comments,” the district said. Continue reading Mineola ISD reports two threats allegedly made by students

Pets Fur People faced with parvo outbreak

Pets Fur People faced with parvo outbreakTYLER — A canine virus is making its way through Pets Fur People in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Gayle Helms with Pets Fur People says the rescue had 27 dogs dumped at the facility at the end of February and that’s where the sickness began.“We have had the worst outbreak of parvo that we have ever had in the history of pets fur people,” said Gayle Helms, executive director, Pets Fur People. “We’ve had 15 cases of parvo and we have lost 8 puppies,” said Helms. Continue reading Pets Fur People faced with parvo outbreak

Former Rose Heights Church pastor Doug Anderson dies

Rose Heights Church pastor Doug Anderson diesTYLER —  Former Rose Heights Church pastor Doug Anderson passed away on Saturday afternoon, according to a post from the church. Anderson had recently retired from the church in January of 2023. Anderson spent 37 years of his life preaching and leading at Rose Heights Church. Congressman Nathaniel Moran honored Anderson at his retirement ceremony in January. “In recognition of their persevering efforts to follow the teachings and admonitions of Jesus Christ, I present to you this flag and certificate. Congratulations Doug and Gina,” Moran said. Continue reading Former Rose Heights Church pastor Doug Anderson dies

Longview man arrested after search finds guns, cocaine, meth and more at home

Longview man arrested after search finds guns, cocaine, meth and more at homeLONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested on Wednesday, March 29 after a search conducted at his home found a variety of drugs, money and guns, according to officials. According to our news partner KETK, Devarious Ramone Craig, 39 of Longview, was arrested for 11 different possession charges, a money laundering charge and a theft of a firearm charge. The Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force searched his residence after starting an investigation into drugs allegedly being shipped there. Officials obtained a search warrant and HCSO Patrol, MPD Crime Scene and Texas DPS CID officers assisted in the search. Continue reading Longview man arrested after search finds guns, cocaine, meth and more at home

Two people wanted in connection to abuse of corpse

Two people wanted in connection to abuse of corpseRUSK COUNTY — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two individuals that they believe were involved in the abuse of a corpse. According to our news partner KETK, on Thursday, Rusk County investigators responded to a death investigation on County Road 169D. During the investigation, officials said they were led to believe that the body in the case had died at an alternate location and had been transported to Rusk County Road 169D in an attempt to “conceal the cause and location of the death.” A follow up investigation resulted in a evidentiary search warrant on Layton Street in Kilgore. The during the search, officials said they seized suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl and other items believed to be of evidentiary value in the death investigation. Continue reading Two people wanted in connection to abuse of corpse

Tyler ISD Announces New Principal for Hubbard Middle School

Tyler ISD Announces New Principal for Hubbard Middle SchoolTYLER — John Smiley, principal of Rice Elementary School, has been named the new principal at Hubbard Middle School. He replaces Todd Dreifort, who was recently named the Director of the Career and Technology Center. “Coming in with experiences at the elementary and high school level, along with having a middle school child of my own, I am extremely excited to join the Hubbard Huskies team as principal,” Smiley said. “With Rice feeding into Hubbard, I’m excited that I’ll see some familiar faces this fall with this year’s 5th-grade class moving with me and last year’s class already there.” Continue reading Tyler ISD Announces New Principal for Hubbard Middle School