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RUSK COUNTY — The remains of a woman missing from Rusk County for over three years have been found. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez says the remains of Kim Flint were found in the woods by a man on a side-by-side on Jan. 19 near Reklaw. Officials came out and stayed overnight until they could get a search warrant. Valdez, RCSO investigators, the Texas Rangers, and members of a forensics team all responded to the location. The remains were taken to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for DNA testing and dental recognition. Preliminary dental records came in Jan. 27 and identified the body as Flint. Her family has been notified. Valdez said foul play is not suspected. Continue reading Remains of missing Rusk County woman found in woods

TYLER — The NET Health survey area remains in the substantial spread category on the latest COVID dashboard, but NET Health CEO George Roberts continues to see encouraging signs. Roberts says he hopes the area has plateaued on the number of cases and hopes some downward trends are on the horizon. But he notes that COVID-19 is still very much with us, and his advice hasn’t changed: get vaccinated and stay home when you’re sick. Roberts says information remains scarce on the latest omicron sub-variant, but he says omicron remains the primary variant at the moment. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

LONGVIEW — Longview City Manager Keith Bonds has named Assistant Police Chief Anthony Boone as acting police chief effective Feb. 1. Chief Mike Bishop recently announced his retirement after 32 years of service to the department, including six years as chief. Boone has worked with the Longview Police Department since 2001, and he has served as the assistant police chief since 2015. His experience includes many aspects of the department, including support services, criminal investigations, special operations, SWAT, and patrol. In the coming months, newly appointed City Manager Rolin McPhee will work with the City Council to determine a process and timeline for permanently filling the police chief position, according to a news release. Click here to learn more.

TYLER (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Friday reported net income of $28.7 million in its fourth quarter. The Tyler-based bank said it had earnings of 88 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $66.8 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $64.9 million, exceeding Street forecasts. For the year, the company reported profit of $113.4 million, or $3.47 per share. Revenue was reported as $251.9 million.

TYLER — The punishment phase is underway after 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo was found guilty of murder following just 40 minutes of jury deliberations. According to our news partner KETK, court staff expects the punishment phase to last until this coming Wednesday. The trial began Tuesday morning in a 2018 shooting at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. Police believed Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related. Law enforcement claimed at the time that Perdomo was suspected of being the gunman in five fatal shootings in less than two weeks. However, more than three years later, he still has only been charged with one count of murder.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man pleaded guilty to an election fraud charge in Gregg County on Thursday. In Gregg County’s 124th District Court, Charlie Burns, Jr. pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of engaging in election fraud, which ultimately granted him probation. According to our news partner KETK, Burns was granted one year of probation as part of a plea bargain agreement and if he breaks this probation, he will have to go to jail. Burns is one of the four people in Gregg County that were charged with election fraud during the 2018 Democratic primary election. Last week, Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown and his wife Marlena Jackson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election fraud charges. They have been granted one year of probation as well.

TYLER — The intersection of Broadway and Grande in Tyler is now clear following a traffic accident that reduced Broadway traffic to one lane. Police directed traffic in the roadway while the issue was resolved.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities said a man under arrest for a church burglary broke the interior partition of a patrol vehicle and used it to flee from them before being found. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to Grange Hall Church in reference to a burglary in progress. Deputies arrived and found Joshua Braley of Henderson and arrested him for burglary of a building. Authorities handcuffed and secured Braley in a patrol unit while they went to speak with the complainant and gather evidence. According to the sheriff’s office, Braley then broke the interior partition in the vehicle (the caged area) and got into the driver’s seat, gaining access to multiple firearms as he fled the location in the patrol vehicle. Continue reading Man arrested for church burglary allegedly steals patrol car, flees from authorities

LONGVIEW — 28-year-old Dominique Sheffield is held for murder in a Longview shooting after being located by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and jailed in Tyler. Longview police say the incident late Monday night on South 12th Street saw two people sustain multiple wounds. 32-year-old Cedric Evers died in the hospital; the other victim was listed in stable condition. Police say Sheffield’s bond is $2 million bond and also covers numerous unrelated charges. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview police at 903-237-1110.

TYLER — The TSA Pre✓ mobile enrollment center will be at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in the commercial terminal building from Feb. 14 through Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested travelers can now schedule their in-person appointment to complete the background check and fingerprinting at the mobile enrollment center. Before applying, be sure to visit this link for full details. TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience, according to a news release. For participating travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear, or belts. Today, TSA Pre✓ has more than 450 lanes at over 200 U.S. airports, including Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Click here for more information.

TYLER — Congressman and Texas attorney general hopeful Louie Gohmert slams incumbent Ken Paxton, accusing him of falsehoods — and drawing attention to Paxton’s brushes with the law. Gohmert told KTBB Paxton is also wrong in saying Gohmert is not conservative enough. The congressman says, “There are rating agencies…groups…conservatives like ‘Mark Levin’s Conservative Review.’ They analyze every vote — and they say I’m one of the most conservative people in the country.” Gohmert says Paxton has been attacking him because he knows Gohmert is a viable contender. The Tyler Republican says it’s a two-person race between Paxton and himself — that former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and state Land Commissioner George P. Bush don’t have much traction, even though Guzman led the fundraising tally at last report. Continue reading Gohmert slams Paxton, weighs in on AG race

AUSTIN — A Mabank resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game $1,000,000 Ultimate. The ticket was purchased at QuikTrip #993 in Terrell. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. According to a news release, this was the first of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. $1,000,000 Ultimate offers more than $233.3 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.62, including break-even prizes, according to the release.

LONGVIEW — Voters head to the polls May 7 for elections in Longview City Council Districts 5 and 6, and three candidates have now thrown thrown their hats in the ring. District 6 Council member Steve Pirtle has filed for another term in office. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot through February 18. 46-year-old Jose Sanchez and 27-year-old Michelle Gamboa are in the running in District 5. You can click here for more information.

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Police Department has made a “safe exchange” spot for purchases made on online platforms and to conduct child custody exchanges. According to our news partner KETK, the Whitehouse Police Department said that with the growth of items being sold on online platforms, criminals have begun to take advantage of this. The safe spot is a location that has 24-hour recorded video surveillance from several angles. It allows people from anywhere, not just Whitehouse, to have a safe spot to meet and exchange purchases of items online and child custody exchanges. Continue reading Whitehouse Police Department creates ‘safe exchange’ spot

MONROE COUNTY, Florida — An East Texas man was sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 20, for the murder of a Gilmer woman in Florida. According to our news partner KETK, Billy Baker, 52, was charged and found guilty for the second-degree murder of his girlfriend. On Aug. 2, 2017, Baker pulled Candice Cooper’s body from the water on Smather’s Beach in Florida. He told police that he was swimming at a distance from Cooper when he noticed she was floating and unresponsive. The pair was in Florida on a vacation. An arrest warrant was served for Baker on Feb. 18, 2018. Baker pleaded not guilty on March 27, 2018 according to court documents.

TYLER – Tyler ISD trustees held a first reading of the proposed 2022-2023 school calendar during their January regular meeting. Community members can view the proposed calendar at this link and provide input by completing the calendar survey by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9. “Each year, the calendar committee seeks input and feedback from administrators, teachers, parents, business representatives, and community members. The committee also focuses on the best interests of students, staff, and parents,” Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said as quoted in a news release. “Your welcomed feedback is the most valuable tool we have, and it is greatly appreciated.” Continue reading Tyler ISD requests community input on 2022-2023 calendar

LONGVIEW — Crews are completing work on the installation of temporary lights at the intersection of McCann and George Richey Roads in Longview. Officials say once complete, the lights will flash for about a week and then become fully operational. During that week, traffic on McCann Road will see a blinking red light signaling to stop. Meanwhile, traffic on George Richey Road will see a blinking yellow light signaling to continue with caution. Permanent light poles will take several months to arrive and be installed, according to a news release.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a contract with Halff Associates Inc. to prepare design plans for the renovation of Noble E. Young Park in the amount of $77,000. According to a news release, the city parks department plans to replace the deteriorating pavilion and restrooms, install new playground equipment, and add a walking trail and sidewalks, as well as an outdoor exercise area with some ADA-accessible equipment. Continue reading Council approves contract for Noble E. Young Park design plans

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is increasing the long-term parking rate and lost ticket fee. The Tyler City Council approved the increases during the Wednesday, Jan. 26 meeting. The long-term parking rate will go from $0.75 to $1 per hour with the maximum of $7 a day rate remaining unchanged. This slight increase in the long-term hourly rate is to help prolong the life of the equipment by removing coins from the operation and reducing the potential for equipment malfunction. Continue reading City Council approves increased parking fees at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport 

SMITH COUNTY — A trial date was set for a former Smith County elections administrator that is accused of tricking two employees into drinking colon cleanser in April of 2021. According to our news partner KETK, the trial date for Denise Hernandez is set for March 9, 2022. Hernandez was charged with two counts of assault causing bodily injury for allegedly giving the employees colon cleanser and claiming it was a “Spark” energy drink, said the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Hernandez was the supervisor of two female victims that she allegedly gave colon cleanser to in a cup. The women said they were given a cup with a pink liquid by Hernandez, and the two women consumed the drink. Continue reading Trial date set for former elections administrator

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to the family of a man who died while in custody at the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, 32-year-old Teddy Parker was booked on a public intoxication charge on May 14, 2017. About half an hour after he was booked, he was carried out unconscious on a stretcher. He died two days later. The city of Tyler has since paid $300,000 to settle its portion of the lawsuit. Now, Smith County will pay $500,000 “for the purpose of terminating and preventing involvement in litigation based on the incident of May 14, 2017.” The settlements are not an admission of guilt. Continue reading Smith County agrees to pay $500,000 settlement to family of man who died in jail

TYLER — A Tyler man accused in a crash that killed a Tyler Legacy High School senior told police he had six cocktails at a local bar before the collision, according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. After first facing a lesser charge, Jason Charles, 24, is now charged with intoxication manslaughter. Victim Lilly Thornburgh was taken off life support three days after the January 14 wreck. Charles was initially uncooperative with paramedics at the scene and when one asked him to tell the truth, he replied, “No,” according to the documents. The warrant says an officer on the scene said Charles was “unsteady on his feet, had an altered mental state, made rambling statements that did not make sense, had slurred speech, and was very emotional.” It also says the officer smelled alcohol on Charles’s breath.

TYLER — As COVID numbers remain high in East Texas, the call from health officials to get vaccinated remains strong — with some new data as reported by NET Health CEO George Roberts. He says according to studies out within the last few days, people who have had their first two shots “plus their booster have had a much less severe impact of COVID than those who are unvaccinated.” Roberts also continues to urge staying home when you’re sick. January has already set a new monthly record for total cases in Smith County, but Roberts still believes there are good signs the area omicron surge will be abating in the next week or so. However, he points out that area hospital patient numbers continue to rise, noting that they’re “a lagging indicator… of infection.” Hospitals in the NET Health survey region are now treating 265 COVID patients as of the most recent report. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER – In 2021, factors such as “failing to drive in a single lane” and “unsafe speed” contributed to 176 fatal crashes and 196 total deaths in TxDOT’s Tyler District, an increase from 152 fatal crashes and 168 deaths in 2020. That’s according to information released Tuesday by TxDOT. The Tyler District, which includes Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood Counties, released preliminary numbers revealing the top five contributing factors of fatal crashes in 2021. They are as follows: failed to drive in a single lane – 34%; unsafe speed – 22%; pedestrian failed to yield right of way to vehicle – 18%; wrong side – not passing – 13%; and failed to control speed – 12%. Continue reading Several contributing factors cited in near-record Tyler District fatalities

TYLER — The trial began Tuesday morning for a Tyler man charged with murder in a 2018 shooting at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center, and who police believed was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related. Law enforcement claimed at the time that Perdomo was suspected of being the gunman in five fatal shootings in less than two weeks. However, more than three years later, he still has only been charged with one count of murder.

LONGVIEW — Voters head to the polls May 7 for elections in Longview City Council Districts 5 and 6, and two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring so far. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot through February 18. 46-year-old Jose Sanchez and 27-year-old Michelle Gamboa are in the running in District 5, with no filings thus far in District 6. You can click this lnk for more information.

KILGORE — A man was arrested on Friday after the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and reportedly found various illegal substances, as well as an illegally owned alligator. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, along with Texas Game Wardens, obtained the warrant for a home on Leach St. A follow-up investigation had been conducted based on a Crime Stoppers Tip alleging controlled substance distribution and the illegal possession of an alligator. 44-year-old Jason Best of Kilgore was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with four controlled substance felony offenses, landing him with a bond that totaled $118,500. Continue reading Kilgore man charged with illegal possession of alligator, various drugs

TYLER — A Chandler man charged with intoxication manslaughter in a fiery December crash near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 39-year-old Daniel Juarez was arrested Thursday afternoon. A preliminary report says 54-year-old Dennis Criner, a Tyler native, was heading east as Juarez approached in the opposite direction. Troopers said Juarez lost control of his car on the wet road, crossed over the center line, and hit Criner. Both men went to the hospital, where Criner was pronounced dead and Juarez was initially listed in serious condition. If convicted, Juarez faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER — Lindsey Harrison announced Monday she is seeking election to the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees for District 6. Harrison was appointed in June to fill the unexpired term of Fritz Hager, who is now seeking a spot on the Smith County Commissioners Court. Before joining the school board, Harrison served as the 2020-2021 past president of the Junior League of Tyler and is a current member of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County Board of Directors. She received the W. C. Windsor Award for outstanding community service in 2018 from the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Harrison has no announced opposition thus far.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy has been involved in a fatal accident. According to information from DPS and the sheriff’s office, 31-year-old Juan Munoz Pinales of Rusk was headed south on FM 346 about eight miles west of Bullard just before midnight Sunday when he struck 43-year-old Tony Boswell of Bullard. Authorities say Boswell was walking on the roadway’s edge with his back to traffic. Officials say EMS was immediately called and deputies attempted life-saving measures but Boswell was later pronounced dead in an area hospital. Pinales was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, but authorities say no foul play is suspected at this time.