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TYLER — In 2023, factors such as “unsafe speed”, “failure to drive in a single lane” and “alcohol-related DUI” contributed to 184 fatal crashes and 209 total deaths in the Tyler District. The TxDOT 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 2023: Continue reading TxDOT releases 2023 Tyler District fatal crash statistics

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department is doing away with the two free bulky item collection weeks each year. Starting March 4, residential customers who receive curbside collection services (excluding multi-family home communities and businesses) can request two bulky waste pick-ups each calendar year at no charge by using the online form found here. Customers will need to place their items on the curb before completing the online form.

Residents may request more than two bulky item collections within a calendar year, but the additional collections will be handled as a special collection request where a fee is charged based on the size and quantity of the items. Continue reading Tyler rolls out new bulky item program

TRINITY COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for a home invasion from 2021. Rojae Daejon Kizzee, 21, was found guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for entering an occupied home in an attempted robbery, Sheriff Woody Wallace said. Wallace said Kizzee fired a handgun at a woman caring for her 2-year-old in the home and demanded she hand over the family dog. A fight ensued over the gun after the woman caused Kizzee to drop it. Reportedly, Kizzee regained control of the gun and fired it again before escaping. “Kizzee was on the run for several days before being captured after a manhunt with multiple agencies involved,” Wallace said.

The 21-year-old was identified in a lineup and it was confirmed through DNA evidence on the scene. “After meeting with and discussing the details of the crime with the victim in this matter and discussing with her the potential outcomes of this matter I am satisfied with the court’s sentence,” District Attorney Bennie Schiro said.

PALESTINE – According to our news partner KETK, the Palestine Police Department has released the cause of death of Trenton Lee Staneart who was found dead on Jan. 28. According to the release, a final autopsy report shows that Staneart’s cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was accidental. Police said the toxicology results showed that he had used marijuana prior to his death. Police said there was no evidence of foul play.

Trenton Lee Staneart was last seen leaving the sheriff’s office at 4:44 p.m. on Jan. 20 and was found dead in a creek in the woods off of East Lacy Street just after 11 a.m. on Jan. 28. Detectives reportedly identified Staneart and Anderson County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace James Todd ordered an autopsy after responding to the scene.

TYLER – Tyler ISD announced on Monday that junior William Baker from Tyler Legacy High School has earned a perfect score on the the ACT. According to our news partner KETK, less than 0.18% of students who attempt the ACT get a perfect composite score of 36.

Tyler Legacy High School Dean of Instruction Kala Morrow said, “Will is an exceptional student who works hard and exemplifies the qualities of leadership that we want to see in all of our Red Raiders. He is extremely driven and focused on academic success, and we congratulate him on this amazing accomplishment. We are so proud of Will and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him.”

To be one of the 2,542 out of 1.8 million students who earned a perfect composite score on the ACT, Will had to get a perfect 36 on four tests over English, mathematics, reading and science.

CHEROKEE COUNTY– One person is dead and another is injured after a single vehicle accident Saturday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, an initial DPS report says the says a 2017 Toyota Corolla was eastbound on SH 21 near Alto Saturday afternoon. The report states the driver “failed to drive in a single lane, leaving the highway to the south, overcorrecting back to the left.” The overcorrection caused caused the vehicle to swerve into a north ditch where it struck a tree on the passenger side.
Continue reading One dead in Cherokee County car crash

TEXARKANA – Our news partner KETK is reporting that a 17-year-old boy is dead after a Sunday night shooting in Texarkana. Officials with Texarkana police said they were called to an apartment in the 1000 block of College Drive around 1:30 a.m. where they found the victim inside. A 16-year-old was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility, according to authorities. The incident remains under investigation, and officials said there are still a lot of questions about what happened.

“We believe that the two boys were friends,” officials said. “The gun that we recovered at the scene had previously been reported stolen in Hope, Arkansas. “However, regardless of the circumstances, the end result is both senseless and incredibly tragic,” officials said.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK a Tyler man was booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday based on child sex crime warrants issued from Harris County. According to his affidavit, Reginald Long, 27, is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a student while he was employed by a public and private secondary school. The affidavit said a report was initially made to the Houston Police Department after multiple students said he made inappropriate remarks to them on social media, mainly using Instagram. Arrest warrants were issued for Long on two charges of sexual assault of a child, improper relationship with a student and online solicitation of a minor. His bond has been set at $400,000.

The affidavit said that in an interview with authorities, Long reportedly confessed to having sex with one of his students and sending sexual messages through Instagram to several other students who also attended the school where he used to work.

TYLER – The City of Tyler announced the Traffic Department is working at Grande Boulevard and Old Noonday Road intersection in Tyler until 5p.m. Monday. There will be lane and road closures periodically throughout the day. Drivers will need to use caution in the area, obey traffic signs and watch out for road crews.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has added additional polling locations for Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Smith County registered voters can choose from any of the 38 locations throughout the county to cast their ballots. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Smith County has launched a new interactive map that shows all polling locations available. Users can input their address to see which voting precinct they are in and what will be on their ballot. The “Interactive Map of Smith County” link can be found here.

Continue reading Smith County Election Day information

WOODLAWN – Our colleagues at KETK report that Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department ESD#6 members Justin Blassingame and Mitchell Guffey are driving a trailer full of boxed food to help those in need in the Texas Panhandle. As Texas’s largest wildfire ever continues to burn, help is pouring in from across the state including here in East Texas. The Harrison County Fire Marshal’s Office thanked Blassingame, Guffey and several others for their work to get these supplies to where they’re needed. Continue reading Firefighters take food to Panhandle

MARSHALL – The City of Marshall said that a fire that happened at a home in the 800 block of Alvin Street on Friday has displaced a family of five. According to our colleagues at KETK, a large plume of black smoke was seen from the fire station and when firefighters arrived they saw fire coming out of the windows of the home. No injuries were reported and all five family members had safely left the home. However, the home was severely damaged by the fire and the Red Cross has been notified to help the displaced family.

TEXARKANA – The Texarkana Police Department said that they arrested a man on Saturday after he was reportedly seen at a local McDonald’s with a machete and a whip according to our news partners at KETK.

Around 10 a.m. on Saturday, Texarkana PD said they received a call about a suspicious person with a machete and a whip at a McDonald’s near New Boston Road.
Continue reading Texarkana officer hit in head with machete