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TYLER – A Tyler man, who was formerly on the DPS 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List, has been sentenced to 50 years in jail for a 2021 murder. According to our news partner KETK, Dakevian Scroggins, 29, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering Christopher Frank Eiglebiger. Scroggins was apprehended in June after being on the run for two months. One of his associates, 26-year-old Zaccheus Dunn, was arrested two days after the shooting. Dunn was then found guilty and we sentenced to 44 years in prison in connection to Eiglebiger’s murder.

TYLER – On Thursday, April 4, Tyler Animal Services was notified by the Texas Department of State Health Services that one skunk submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies.  The skunk was found near the 3000 block of Salado Creek Drive. Those people and animals found to have been exposed to the skunk was been identified.

Tyler Animal Services say its very important for people not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. And, If a person is bitten by an animal, the incident must be reported to them. Tyler Animal Services advises all pet owners to make sure their dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies. Preventative immunization for rabies is the only effective defense against this fatal disease.

City of Tyler and Smith County Ordinance requires regular rabies shots for all dogs and cats. Failing to do so, is a Class C misdemeanor. If you have questions about rabies control, click on Tyler Animal Services website.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The SPCA of Texas has removed 17 dogs from a Van Zandt County home, all were neglected and a man has been charged in the case. According to our news partner KETK, arrested was Kory Wayne Kimble who was charged with cruelty of non-livestock animals. The SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit removed 16 Cocker Spaniel dogs and a Boxer dog from a house, all that were “allegedly cruelly confined to deplorable living conditions.” The unit reportedly found the house to be covered in feces and urine.
Continue reading Van Zandt County authorities rescue 17 dogs from home

TYLER – Brookshire’s Grocery Company presented a check worth more than $184,000 on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the check is to be split between several non-profits that was raised during their Fresh 15 race. “We’re beyond proud of this achievement and grateful to everyone who made it possible,” Fresh 15 organizers said. “Together, over the past 11 years, we’ve donated over $1.7 million to many deserving charities in East Texas.” According to the grocery company, they donation of $184,500 is the largest amount they have ever raised. The money will be split between 30 organizations. Fresh 15 Race Director Ashleigh Endicot said, organizations apply every year to become recipients and they choose non-profits that best align with the promotion of the race. “We are a team that comes together and able to impact our community directly, you know over the 11 years we’ve given back $1.7 million right here, so it’s not like is going somewhere else it’s coming directly into the community that we live,” Endicot said.

GROVETON – The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking your help in finding a missing 72-year-old man.
According to our news partner KETK, W.J. Wallace was seen around midnight Monday March 25 on West First Street in Groveton. The DPS describes Mr. Wallace as an African American elderly man with brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red long sleeve shirt, brown pants, white shoes and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information on the location of W.J. Wallace is asked to contact the Onalaska Police Department at 936-646-5676.

UPSHUR COUNTY – A Diana man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering a longtime friend with an ax. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Jeffrey David Swanner of Diana was convicted in the murder of 60 year-old Kenneth Burcalow, also of Diana.

The Upshur County DA said in release, that in April of 2021, the two men were in a violent argunent influenced by alcohol and meth. Swanner hit Burcalow with an ax, causing him to bleed to death. Swanner told authorities at the time of the murder, he hit Burcalow with the ax after seeing “demons,” and believing Burcalow was attacking him.

Swanner left the murder scene, but was later found. He was sent to a state hospital after he was found to be incompetent. Swanner was later sent back back to Upshur County after authorities found him “being restored to competency.”

TYLER – Patrick Mahomes Sr. was indicted last week for driving while intoxicated a third time or more, a third-degree felony. According to our news partner KETK, the 53-year-old Mahomes Sr. was arrested in Tyler Feb. 3. At that time, a Tyler Police officer stopped Mahomes on West Gentry Park for driving slowly. The officer then discovered an open can of beer in the vehicles center console.

A driving while intoxicated third or more offense is classified as a third-degree felony, as opposed to the first two which are classified as misdemeanors. A conviction for a third DWI results in a prison sentence of no less than two years, no more than 10 years and up to $10,000 in fines.
The indictment was filed on March 28.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A Van Zandt County Judge issued a disaster declaration before the total solar eclipse coming up on April 8. According to our news partner KETK, the disaster was declared from April 5-April 9. Officials with the county say the declaration will give the county more options during that time. Van Zandt County will be in the path of totality for up to four minutes on April 8 around 12:24 p.m. The county expects a drastic increase in population and a strain on their resources.

County Judge Andy Reese said in the disaster declaration, “We are expecting a large influx of people, overcrowding of our roads and parking lots, possible fuel and food shortages and possible limited cell phone service. We would encourage Van Zandt County residents to stay home and avoid driving if possible on April 8, expect travel delays and know alternate routes, fuel up vehicles, purchase groceries and supplies and refill prescriptions prior to the event.”

Judge Reese also submitted a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, asking for a state-issued declaration of disaster as well.

JACKSONVILLE – One person is dead and another is in critical condition after a Monday night shooting in Jacksonville. According to our news partner KETK, a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder. Because he’s a juvenile, his name will not be released. The victims in the shooting have been identified as a pair of brothers from Bullard. The The 15-year-old was killed, while the 17-year-old remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Jacksonville Police said in a release, they were alerted to the shooting on South Jackson Street around 10:22 p.m. Monday. When law enforcement arrived, they found the two brothers with gunshot wounds. They were taken to seperate hospitals where one brother died and the other is in critical condition. Jacksonville PD with the help of the Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation into the case. They ask if you have information, to call them at 903-586-2546.

LONGVIEW – Officials for the annual 2024 Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview have announced the entertainment card for the event. According to our news partner KETK, this years headliner is country singer Mark Wills. The 50-year-old Georgia native had a number six hit nationally in 1996 with ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. Wills followed that up with ‘I Do (Cherish You)’, which was number two on the country charts.

On Friday Night June 14, Jenn Ford and the Wide Eyed Devils along with The Hollow Decks will be taking the stage. On Saturday night, Texas native and country singer Danielle Bradberry, who also won Season 4 of NBC’s The Voice will open the night. With Mark Wills headlining the evening.

The Great Texas Balloon Race begins June 12 with a competition flight over Longview. To buy tickets and to get more information on the Great Texas Balloon Race, click here.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that Lance Phillips, 40, has been arrested on multiple charges including the assault of a public servant. He was held in contempt at a meeting where he signed up to give public comment on three agenda items. A video shows Phillips saying he is with God and reciting scripture from Ephesians. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin can be heard shortly after reminding Phillips to speak only on the agenda items. He was then seen leaving the court escorted by officers while shouting his arrest goes against his First Amendment rights. Lance was booked into the Smith County Jail for contempt, resisting arrest, hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct and assault of a public servant. His bonds total $200,000.

LUFKIN – A 2-year-old is dead after he was found unresponsive in a pond at a family gathering on Sunday in Lufkin according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Lufkin Police Department, officials responded to a family gathering at around 7 p.m. on Sunday after a 2-year-old of the family was found unresponsive in a pond. According to a statement from police, the family immediately began life-saving measures, which were continued by officials upon their arrival. According to the Lufkin PD, paramedics took the child to a local hospital where he later died. Continue reading Toddler dead after falling into pond