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MOUNT PLEASANT – According to our news partner KETK, Mount Pleasant city manager Kimberly Meek has resigned from her position, citing unexpected family matters out of the state.

“After considerable reflection and due to unexpected personal family matters out of state, I write this letter to notify you that I am resigning my position as City Manager of Mount Pleasant, effective immediately,” Meek said to the Mount Pleasant City Council on Friday.

Meek has only served as the city manager for just two months but she said she values all the relationships she’s made in Mount Pleasant. Continue reading Mount Pleasant city manager resigns from office after two months

UPDATE: Officials with Smith County Emergency Services District 2 have confirmed that the body of a 14-year-old juvenile reported missing on Friday night has been recovered from Hideaway Lake according to our news partner KETK. ESD2 said divers were searching the lake for the juvenile’s body but have since stopped their search after his body was found, hours after he was reported missing while swimming in the lake. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is investigating the 14-year-old’s death.

HIDEAWAY LAKE – Law enforcement is currently looking for a 14-year-old juvenile who went missing at Hideaway Lake on Friday night.
Longview man located by Gregg County officials

The juvenile was swimming with friends in Hideaway Lake when he got separated from his friends, according to Smith County Emergency Services District 2. Teams are currently on the water and diving in the lake looking for the juvenile, ESD2 officials said.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Cherino man following a crime spree early Friday morning, according to our news partner KETK.

Shortly after 5 a.m., deputies were called to a residence in the 16800 block of Farm-to-Market Road 95 S. in reference to a busted window which triggered an alarm.

About 30 minutes later, officials were called to reports of a vehicle on fire on County Road 486. The shed where the car was parked was also on fire. During the investigation, deputies observed suspicious vehicle marks in the yard along with a buttstock to a weapon that did not belong to the homeowner.

Less than 10 minutes later deputies were called to Cherino ISD, where a witness reported the police vehicle that is parked at the district was on fire. The witness was also able to give a description of the vehicle they said left the scene, which was a black Honda CRV. Continue reading Man arrested after early morning crime spree

GREGG COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who was last seen on Wednesday at his home in Longview.

According to the sheriff’s office, Morgan Brady Smith was last seen wearing jeans, a white -sleeved, collared button-up shirt, and skater shoes. Smith’s vehicle is a black 2007 Honda Coupe with the the front bumper missing, Texas license plate: SFX3672

If anyone has information about Morgan’s whereabouts or have seen the car described, they are asked to contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-236-8400 or call 911.

TYLER – Starting on Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th, the Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program). With increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the Memorial Day weekend, these officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. They want everyone to enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Our news partner KETK reports that the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 16-year-old girl who was last seen at work on Thursday in Sulphur Springs.

According to the sheriff’s office, 16-year-old Evelyn Vazquez was last seen working at the McDonald’s in Sulphur Springs.

Officials said Vazquez could be with 25-year-old Angel Daniel Garduno, who has a 2010 tan Chevy Malibu.

TYLER — Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-TX, said “House Republicans delivered on the promises we made to the American people” in a statement on Thursday after the Texas House passed President Donald Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’.

The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ is a fiscal package bill from Trump with the goal of cutting $1.5 trillion from the the government’s budget in an effort to establish different tax laws, overtime pay and more. According to our news partner KETK, Moran released this message in statement following the bill’s passage in the Texas House.

“With today’s passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, House Republicans delivered on the promises we made to the American people,” Moran said. “This legislation puts working families, small businesses, and rural communities back at the center of our economic future—right where they belong.” Continue reading Rep. Moran reacts to passing ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

TYLER– Texas Civil Rights activists said in Thursday press conference that they demand the resignation of the police chief, the termination of the officers involved in the incident and others in the department. According to our news partner KETK, Civil Rights activists Quanell X and Candice Matthews were deeply disturbed watching the video of Brianna Erwin’s arrest on Mother’s Day.

X and Matthews called for Chief Jimmy Toler’s resignation, the termination of the officers involved and Toler’s leadership team.

Chief Toler stated he supports the actions of his officers. He added that his officers are trained to increase restraint when a suspect increases their resistance.

Tyler PD said during the struggle, Erwin managed to fire a gun shot from the holster of the officer. Toler said to deescalate the situation the officer was seen giving Erwin a “closed hand strike.” Continue reading Civil Rights activists call for Tyler Police resignations

TYLER – It was a packed house Thursday at the W T Brookshire Conference Center, as Mayor Don Warren addressed the 900 attendees about Tyler today, and it’s future. Warren said, “One of the best decisions I ever made was coming back home to Tyler. This city raised me, and I’ve spent the last 11 years on Council and as Mayor working to ensure that every part of Tyler has the chance to thrive.”

He explained that the city is creating a foundation for long-term success. He gave examples of park upgrades to fixing city streets. Also, a new downtown parking garage is complete. A new courthouse is under construction and construction will soon begin on a complete streetscape redesign. The redesign, includes wider sidewalks, roundabouts, restored two-way traffic, and more room for outdoor dining. The City is also working closely with the Valencia Hotel Group on a proposed 144-room full-service hotel.
Continue reading Mayor Warren gives state of Tyler address

LONGVIEW – A 19-year-old has been arrested in Longview after allegedly robbing a business on Tuesday evening, according to our news partner KETK.

Officers from the Longview Police Department arrived at the 1500 block of Pine Tree Road after receiving reports of a robbery. Officers learned that the suspect had demanded cash from the clerk. The suspect was believed armed with a deadly weapon, according to officials.

The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Bryson Lewis from Longview, who was subsequently arrested on Wednesday. Lewis was charged with aggravated robbery and is being held on a $90,000 bond.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A Van Zandt County inmate has died after experiencing a medical emergency while working with a road repair crew on May 12.

According to our news partner KETK and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Andrew Mark “Tubby” Harris of Grand Saline had a medical emergency and was immediately given CPR before dying at a hospital soon after. Harris was a “trustee” inmate working with Van Zandt County’s Precinct 3 Road repair crew while under supervision.

An investigation is underway and the cause of death has not been announced.

UPDATE: Tyler PD arrested 34-year-old Joshua Isiah Malina on Tuesday for the murder of 28-year-old Karsen Lynn Stewart. Malina is being held at the Smith County Jail on a $2 million bond.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is seeking answers following the murder of a 28-year-old woman on Saturday.

According to our news partner KETK, officers arrived on the scene in the 400 block of S. Confederate Ave in Tyler after receiving calls regarding a homicide. According to officials, the victim was Karsen Lynn Stewart from Mineola and her family has been notified. Tyler PD said Stewart had multiple stab wounds and was found in the roadway near her car.

The case remains under investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

CHANDLER – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a man was hospitalized after being hit by a train on Tuesday in Chandler.

Chandler Police Department Chief Kalon Rollins said the man driving a truck was attempting to cross the tracks into a private driveway area when he was hit by the train. Rollins said the man got out of his truck with minor injuries before being taken to a local hospital. The incident remains under investigation.