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SMITH COUNTY – Thursday was an auspicious day in Smith County. It is technically the day the county was born. Texas was annexed by the United States and became a state in 1845. The next year, the new state legislature created Smith County by an act passed on April 11, 1846. Most, but not all, historians say the county was named for General James Smith, a hero of the Texas Revolution, though the act itself makes no mention. That makes Smith County Texas 178 years old today.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, rescue teams in East Texas remain busy as they address issues including flooded roadways, downed power lines and even rescue crews due to recent weather conditions. In Cherokee County, on the 2500 block of FM Road 855, authorities worked to save a woman Tuesday night who got swept away in her car from flood waters. A day later, the road is shut down and the vehicle remains trapped in water with no word yet when officials plan to move it. Over in Smith County, two people had to be rescued Wednesday morning near Troup after being stuck for nearly two hours.

Downed trees on roads were also keeping crews busy. “We’ve worked on dozens of trees,” Moore said. “Road and bridge [crews] have cut up and cleaned up many.” Rusk County has experienced flooding and downed trees with many residents losing power in the process. “We had a couple of transformer explosions,” Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said. “Just a whole lotta mess.” Continue reading East Texas looks at aftermath following storms

SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrested four individuals suspected to be involved in a theft ring in Shelby County on Monday. Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham reported that on Monday at 8:30 a.m. investigators and deputies responded to a call in the 7000 block of Highway 7 West in Center, and upon arrival the investigators recognized the property as a “highly trafficked area for drugs and stolen property.”

The SCSO said that they spent more than 34 hours on the grounds and recovered over $150,000 of stolen property. Continue reading Four arrested after stolen items found

TEXARKANA — A 20-year-old man from Texarkana has been arrested for possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Facebook and Instagram discovered videos of suspected child pornography had been uploaded on their platforms. The social media companies then reported the illegal posts and messages to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Texarkana PD said they received those tips after the IP address of the computer from which they were posted showed to be in the Texarkana area. After several weeks of investigation, police identified the suspect as Angel Hernandez. He is currently held in the Bi-State Jail on a $100,000 bond for the charge of possession of more than or equal to 50 depictions of child pornography.

SMITH COUNTY – There will be gantry maintenance on Toll 49 Thursday night starting at 8 p.m. According to Daisy Nunez from NET RMA, the short one lane closure is between FM 2493, Old Jacksonville and SH 155.

TYLER – A Cherokee County man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills. According to our news partner KETK, 45-year-old Robert Martin of Alto, conspired with others to possess with the intention to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Officials say that Martin set up pill press on his property in order to press out hundreds of thousand of counterfeit pills with the intention a nationwide distribution. Martin also recruited mid-level distributors and wholesalers for his drug operation.

Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said that Martin’s arrest in July of 2023, was after a two-month-long investigation. Dickson added, “This action was the result of an ongoing investigation into an illicit pill manufacturing operation near Alto. This was a huge win for our community by removing these items and this individual from the streets of Cherokee County.”

Martin faces anywhere from 10 years in federal prison to life, but a sentencing date has not been set at this time.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report a Cherokee County man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday and is awaiting sentencing for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 45-year-old Robert Martin, of Alto, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Continue reading Man convicted in meth-laced pills conspiracy

TYLER – The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a $112,000 engineering contract on for the retiming of 15 intersection’s traffic signals as a part of their Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan. According to our news partner KETK, the contract with Kimely-Horn and Associates Inc. includes project management, data collection, development of timing plans, implementation and a final report on the retimed traffic signals.

City officials say this is an extension of projects from the past four years of upgrades to city traffic signals. Since 2019, 71 of Tyler’s 149 signalized intersections have been retimed as apart of the Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan.
Continue reading Tyler to retime 15 intersection traffic signals

TYLER – Dr. Barbara Hass, dean of UTT’s school of nursing, was appointed onto a state committee to address the nursing shortage. According to our news partner KETK, the purpose for this committee was to review and amend the definitions of the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program in the Texas Administrative Code, so that the program will be better equipped to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. UTT said that the committee is comprised of 19 representatives from community colleges, public health-related institutions, the hospital industry, public technical colleges, independent institutions and public universities. The United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast said in 2019 that a shortage of registered nurses was projected to increase throughout the country through the year 2030, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 193,000 openings for registered nurses each year through 2032 with retirements and workforce exits factored. Continue reading UT Tyler dean of nursing appointed to state committee

SMITH COUNTY — With a theme of “Breaking Ground,” Smith County leaders met Tuesday to address the ever-growing region at the annual State of the County, according to our news partner KETK. Nearly 500 people gathered at Green Acres Baptist Church for Smith County’s 2024 state of the county, highlighting construction plans and new partnerships like at the county jail.

“We continue to work with entities, we’re working with the city of Tyler and then the other cities within the county so I think this unity that we’re seeing now is going to be nothing but movement forward, and it’s really going to be exciting,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. Continue reading Leaders talk new courthouse, jail improvements

TYLER – East Texas schools are announcing school closures and delays for Wednesday morning due to complications of weather, power outages and flooding. The full list can be found on our news partner KETK’s website.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said a woman has been rescued from a vehicle after getting stuck in high water on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK the the woman was helped out of her car on FM 855 by a passerby and first responders are working on getting her vehicle out of the water. The Cherokee County Sheriff Dickson said the woman is safe. The Smith County Water Rescue was reportedly at the scene.

KETK has been following flooding and fallen trees obstructing roadways as storms pass through East Texas on Tuesday and expected to continue through Wednesday. People can find a full list here.

 
SMITH COUNTY – Because of heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents The ramps are closed until further notice. TWU anticipates reopening the ramps once the lake levels recede.

TYLER — A Tuesday morning house fire near Caldwell Zoo, led to the death of a 68-year-old woman and a dog according to our news partners at KETK. According to a release, Mynetta Gilstrap, 68, died after being transported to a local hospital. Tyler FD was dispatched to a house fire at 1713 W Mims Street near the Caldwell Zoo at 9:51 a.m. The initial call reportedly indicated that flames could be seen from the front of the house. Firefighters arrived to the house were they began containing the fire and began a search, locating Gilstrap and a deceased dog. The fire was suppressed at 10:28 a.m. and officials continue to investigate the cause.

SMITH COUNTY – Authorities across East Texas are urging drivers to use caution before getting on the roads. Storms began appearing Monday night and will continue into late Wednesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, these are the counties and roads affected.

Smith County: Officials with Smith County said that CR 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under I-20, and 370 have water over the roadways. Reports have that SH-31 to Longview has several spots where the road is covered with water. Tyler Water Utilities had temporarily closed all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.
Continue reading East Texas road closings due to flooding

HENDERSON – CHRISTUS announced that they are moving forward with the development of a new emergency center in Henderson. According to our news partner KETK, CHRISTUS will be holding a groundbreaking celebration on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at a seven acre site south of Wylie Elementary School on Highway 259. The new facility will feature around the clock emergency services with 17 beds, 13 exam rooms, four triage rooms, state-of-the-art full service imaging and onsite laboratory services. The project is scheduled to start construction in late spring and is projected to be completed in the second half of 2025. “We are passionate about increasing access to health care for patients across East Texas,” Chris Glenney, senior vice president for group operations of CHRISTUS Northeast Texas said. “Henderson is a key area for growth in East Texas, and we know there is a need for patients to access the exceptional health care we provide.” Continue reading CHRISTUS announces a new facility in Henderson

TYLER – With severe weather and storms continuing to move through East Texas, about 23,700 customers are without power as of 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK had a list of counties with power outages noted from ONCOR, SWEPCO and other electric co-ops. You can find that list here.

SMITH COUNTY — Sections of Smith County Road 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under Interstate 20, and CR 370 have water over the roadways, according to county officials. Smith County Road and Bridge crews are out clearing downed trees, but none have been reported blocking the entire road to cause a closure. Drivers are reminded to not drive through high water crossings.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said a man was arrested for an active warrant and drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax were found after a search. According to our news partner KETK, Derek Elam, 49, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in conjunction with the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, Longview Police Special Investigation Apprehension and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Longview PD said a search of the motel room at Knights Inn uncovered 422 grams of counterfeit Adderall, 108 grams of methamphetamines, 43 grams of Xanax, 8 grams of cocaine, 7 grams of ecstasy, 7 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of hydrocodone.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a female inmate died Sunday morning. In a release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the inmate, Tanya Williams experienced a medical emergency that morning around 6 a.m. Williams was taken to a local hospital where she later died. The sheriff’s office said Texas Rangers were notified, and will conduct an investigation, which is standard procedure. An autopsy was also ordered. The release also stated Williams was arrested Thursday on drug charges.

SHELBY COUNTY – A Shelby County man is pending trial after being charged with livestock theft and exploiting an elderly man according to our news partner KETK. According to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Danny Matthew Wright was arrested after he reportedly stole cattle from his employer, an elderly Shelby County resident. “With assistance from Shelby County Constables, Josh Tipton and Taylor Fanguy, the team discovered the identification of a stolen cow through a brand registered to the victim,” TSCRA said. Wright was indicted by a grand jury on the charges, and was arrested on Jan. 5 before he was released a few days later. Wright is currently pending trial.

MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Fire Department said in a post that crews were working a fire at the Pleasant Oaks landfill early on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, crews from Mount Pleasant and Titus County Fire Departments worked the fire and eventually cleared the scene. Mount Pleasant FD said that landfill workers are still at the scene digging the fire out to extinguish it further and monitoring the landfill as the day goes on.

TYLER – Tyler man has been indicted with capital murder for the death of an 18-year-old woman who was found in a ravine behind a Tyler apartment. According to our news partner KETK, 19-year-old Jamaurea Britton was charged with capital murder in the death of Dejah hood. After speaking to authorities for over an hour, Britton confessed to the murder. Continue reading Tyler man charged with capital murder

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrested a woman following the investigation of a dog that was abandoned near Lake Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Animal Control responded to a report on March 13 of an abandoned dog in the 17600 block of Southpoint Road near Lake Tyler. Upon their arrival they contacted the caller who said they found the puppy abandoned at Hill Creek Park on Lake Tyler.

Officials said the dog, a black and white Pit Bull mix, was taken to the Smith County Animal Shelter and listed for adoption. The sheriff’s office said that a Facebook comment had tagged an individual identified as Megan Baldree, 36 of Tyler, as being the owner of the puppy. Continue reading Woman arrested after abandoning dog near Lake Tyler

TYLER – On April 8, the sun and moon will align and parts of East Texas will experience totality during the 2024 solar eclipse. Following are events in Tyler. Check our news partner KETK’s site for more locations and events.

Texas African American Museum: The Empowerment Community Development Corporation will hold a Total Solar Eclipse Black Out Festival. They are expecting one minute and 49 seconds of totality.
Caldwell Zoo: The zoo will be holding A Wild Solar Eclipse event with commemorative treats and gifts available. Eclipse viewing glasses will be given out until the supply runs out.
Discovery Science Place: They will hold special activities and act as a viewing location.
Tyler Parks and Recreation: Lindsey Park and Faulkner Park will be viewing locations and the Goodman-LeGrand Museum will have a lunch on the lawn event.
Broadway Square Mall: From 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., families are invited to a solar eclipse watch party at the JCPenney parking lot.

TYLER – A once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse will hit the skies Monday and our news partner KETK is reporting that the TJC Earth and Space Science Center has been working to educate East Texans on what to expect. With the chance of severe weather in the forecast, backup plans are being put in place, but if it does rain on the day of the eclipse TJC will be canceling events. Hartweg added that if it’s just cloudy, don’t worry, because you still have a chance to view the spectacular sight. East Texans will also get the chance for an extra surprise in the sky during totality. “There is a comet that may be potentially visible and for people to kind of be on the lookout for it will be near Jupiter,” said Hartweg.

“We’re doing our best to make sure people understand that to get the full experience, you need to be in what we call the path of totality, that’s a spot that’s 100% total eclipse,” said Beau Hartweg, the director of the Tyler Junior College Earth and Space Science Center. “We’ll have some solar telescopes out and different ways for people to view the eclipse,” said Hartweg. Continue reading Tyler Junior College gears up for Monday’s Eclipse