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VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Jill Dutton won the runoff election for Texas House District 2 on Tuesday, according to unofficial results. According to our news partner KETK, the runoff election was a rematch between republicans Jill Dutton and Brent Money, who went head to head for the seat last November. In that election, Money came out with 31.7% of the vote and Dutton had 25.3% of the vote. In the Jan. 30 runoff, Dutton received a slight majority obtaining 50.4% of the vote, while Money got 49.6% of the vote. They were vying for the seat of former Rep. Bryan Slaton, who was expelled from the House after an internal investigation found evidence of sexual misconduct with an aide. Dutton received endorsements from former Gov. Rick Perry and local representatives like Lane Gooden, Jay Dean and Cody Harris, while Money received endorsements from political heavy hitters, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. Ted Cruz. Continue reading Jill Dutton wins House District 2 special run off

RUSK – Two people were taken to hospitals after a Tuesday morning crash involving a Rusk ISD school bus, according to our colleagues at KETK. According to DPS, troopers responded to the crash near the intersection of CR 2117 and CR 2116 around 7 a.m. involving a school bus and passenger. Officials said a preliminary report found the passenger car had failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign “and struck the school bus.” Authorities reported one passenger on the school bus was taken to a Jacksonville hospital for treatment and the driver of the passenger car was taken to a Tyler hospital.

LONGVIEW – Longview police said Tuesday they are looking for a missing 38-year-old man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is Xavier Dion Wilson. Wilson is 5’5″ and weighs about 120 pounds. He was seen last near the 1000 block of East Marshall Avenue. Police say they do not have a description of the what clothing Wilson was last seen wearing. Longview PD asks if you have information on the location of Xavier Wilson, contact them at 903-237-1170.

ANDERSON COUNTY – A 22-year-old woman has died and five other people have been injured in a crash Saturday in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that Mary Merlino of Mineola died at the scene. Her passengers, including a one-year-old child were taken to local hospitals. State Troopers initial reports say a vehicle was traveling south early Saturday evening on US 287 south of Elkhart. It rear-ended another vehicle, making it go into the northbound lane. There it collided head-on with 2007 Ford Taurus. The DPS investigation into the crash cause is continuing.

UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – An Upshur County explosion led to the discovery of a large indoor marijuana cultivation facility. According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and our news partners at KETK, a 911 call was made on Saturday at around 5:30 PM after a car was reported leaving the scene of an explosion at a high rate of speed. The respondents included the West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Gilmer Fire Department along with county sheriff’s deputies and Constable Tim Barnett. Continue reading Explosion leads to marijuana facility discovery

LONGVIEW – For the second time this month, a person from Longview strikes it rich. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who chose to stay anonymous, won a $2 million dollar Mega Millions prize Jan.2. They purchased their winning numbers at Murphy Express on E. Loop 281. Another Longview winner won $3 million with a scratch-off on Jan. 24 at the Fuel Depo Corner Mart on Gilmer Rd.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due Wednesday, January 31, and he is urging people to pay online. According to a news release, payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement, which will take you directly to the payment page on your account. Barber said for those who want to pay in-person at the Tax Office, expect long lines and wait times. The Tax Office mailed out 213,369 property tax statements in November, and Wednesday, January 31, 2024, is the deadline to pay them. Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail (it must be postmarked on or before January 31, to be accepted as an on-time payment through the mail). If you have not received a property tax statement, please call the Tax Office at 903-590-2920 or go online. Continue reading Smith County property taxes due Wednesday

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department said that Trenton Lee Staneart was found dead in a creek in the woods off of East Lacy Street just after 11 a.m. on Sunday. Detectives reportedly identified Staneart and Anderson County Precinct #3 Justice of the Peace James Todd ordered an autopsy after responding to the scene. Our news partner KETK spoke with Staneart’s girlfriend, Kylie Carroll and she said he was a great father to their children. “He is a really great dad to those kids, and I know that that’s the whole reason we’re out here doing this,” said Carroll. “My kids miss him, too, and they’re too little to know what’s going on.” Carroll said that that it was unlike Staneart to not call her or her know where he was. Continue reading Missing Palestine man found dead

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left a juvenile in critical condition. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, officers were called to a shooting on South Palmer Avenue around 10:00, where they found a juvenile male with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began medical treatment until EMS arrived and transported the victim to a hospital on Beckham. He is in critical condition at this time. Tyler PD officers, detectives and crime scene investigators are on scene. This is an ongoing investigation. Contact Tyler PD with any information: 903-531-1000.

JACKSONVILLE – According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) awarded $20.6 million to local parks and $735,590 of that has gone to three East Texas communities. In a release, TPWC said the grants are awarded to “to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.”

The Lincoln Park in Jacksonville was awarded a $150,000 grant. The Cherokee County park will undergo renovations, “project elements include a seven-foot-wide concrete trail, a playground, site amenities and exercise equipment with shade,” a TPWC press release said. The 10 acre park currently has a covered pavilion, basketball and tennis courts, restrooms and a playground, according to the City of Jacksonville. According to TPWC, local park grants are funded by sales tax on sporting goods. Continue reading East Texas parks awarded $700k in grants

UPSHUR COUNTY – Dalton Brewer has been located and is safe with his family. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone for their assistance. Additional details were not available.  (Previous story) – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Friday about Dalton Brewer, who has gone missing. According to the statement, Brewer is 26 and was last seen wearing blue jeans, boots, a black t-shirt with a white Polo logo and a zip-up black hoodie. The sheriff’s office said that Brewer lives in the Diana area.