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LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking information in regards to a vehicle crash and man who was shot Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officers answered a call on Everett Street. When they arrived they found that a man with a gunshot wound in the front yard shot and a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. The man had serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Longview Police is continuing their investigation. They ask if anyone has information to call them at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers 903-236-7876. Any tips received will stay anonymous.

SMITH COUNTY — A man was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday morning after officials said he barricaded himself in a County Road 165 residence on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they got a call on an open line where they could hear a distraught woman around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday night. Deputies responded to the 16500 block of County Road 165 and were able to get the woman out so she could be treated for her injuries. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the woman said a man in the house was armed. Trent Bright, 54, Tyler, was allegedly barricaded in the residence for hours. Officials said that Smith County Swat and negotiators arrived at the scene and by Sunday morning Bright had come out of the residence to turn himself in after hours of negotiation. Bright was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

COFFEE CITY – Chris L. Moore, who served as Chief of the Coffee City Fire Department,has died. According to our news partner KETK, Moore died Saturday Jan. 6. CCFD said that Chief Moore had been the Coffee City Fire Chief since 2008. He had previously served with the Southlake Fire Department and the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department. The Coffee City Fire Department also said, “Chief Moore mentored and inspired many firefighters in his career and will greatly be missed. Rest easy Chief we have the watch from here.”

COFFEE CITY — Former Coffee City police officer Lonnie Hicks was arrested on four counts of tampering with government records on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Hicks’s arrest comes after the former Coffee City Mayor, Police Chief and other officers were also recently arrested for tampering with government records. According to Henderson County Jail records, Hicks was released on Friday after posting a total $400,000 bond. Coffee City Police Department was deactivated back in September of 2023 and now the town is being covered by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. In December, following the arrest of former Mayor Frank Serrato, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that anyone with concerns can contact them. “We will continue to cover the city,” Hillhouse said. “If they have any concerns or anything the sheriff’s office is always here, and we will always be here. Just a phone call away.”

TYLER – Tyler Police say six people, a woman and five juveniles were hurt in a car accident Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occured at Broadway Avenue and Front Street. The adult woman and two juveniles were treated at a local hospital, while the other three minors were transported to Dallas for treatment. Authorities also say that 27-year-old Kylee Johns of Arp was charged with intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily harm. Johns is in the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

MARSHALL – A boil water notice is in effect for areas of Marshall near Loop 390. According to our news partner KETK, the notice was put into effect due to water pressure loss and the subsequent repair on Saturday. The parts of the city with the boil water notice are; Loop 390 and Highway 59 South to Carolann Street and west to Washington Avenue, Loop 390 Highway 80 East to Warren Drive and South from Warren Drive to Airport Road. Marshall city officials say the notice will be posted until further notice. Those in the affected areas will need to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes before using it. The city Sunday on its Facebook page that water samples will be taken to the lab, and results are expected Tuesday.

KILGORE – The City of Kilgore said the city’s water system is experiencing low pressure after an “extreme water loss” that happened on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, city workers have found and isolated a large water main break under a creek near Highway 31. Officials say water pressure should be returning to normal levels and are asking residents to conserve water until that time.

GREGG COUNTY — A medical technician is in the Gregg County Jail after investigators found discrepancies in documents of an inmate’s death. According to our news partner KETK, Sonja Sheree Jones was arrested for tampering with government records. This is in regards to the death of 64-year-old John Edward Anderson, an inmate at the Gregg County Jail. Anderson was found unconscious Dec. 12 of last year. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Officials initial autopsy report “showed Anderson to have hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, pulmonary emphysema with no evidence of significant acute mortem trauma.” The exact cause of death of is still to be determined.
Continue reading Gregg County med tech arrested for record tampering

CANTON – During a visit Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz made to East Texas on Friday morning, the senator shed light on big issues facing our state and the nation. He said the biggest concern once again this year is the southern border. The stop by Senator Ted Cruz comes just two days after House Republicans took a trip to Eagle Pass and witnessed the overwhelming situation at checkpoints, processing centers for migrants, and for small Texas border towns. Cruz told those assembled, “We are so badly off track nationally. I’ll tell you in Washington the Democrats have lost their minds. This is modern day human slavery, this is leg irons. You look at the southern border, what is happening there. I promise you as bad as you may think it is, it’s worse. Every day Texas farmers and ranchers are finding dead bodies on their properties.”
Continue reading Ted Cruz talks with East Texans on border crisis

LONGVIEW – The World Series Champion Texas Rangers winter caravan will be stopping in Longview on Friday Jan. 12 . According to our news partner KETK, Reliever Josh Sborz, who pitched the World Series final outs and Rangers radio voice Matt Hicks will appear at the Kroger grocery store on West Marshall Avenue in Longview from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On display will be the Commissioner’s Trophy. The Commissioner’s Trophy is presented to the World Series winner. To see the full schedule of the Texas Rangers winter caravan, click here.

WHITEHOUSE – One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting Friday afternoon in Whitehouse. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened at the Pecan Woods Apartments on W. Main Street in Whitehouse around 12:15 p.m. as police answered a call about a disturbance. Officials say the shooting involved a Whitehouse Police Officer and a suspect in that disturbance.
Continue reading Officer-involved shooting in Whitehouse claims one life

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival held an event on Thursday where they announced the 2024 theme, queen and royal court for the annual event, according to our news partner KETK. The theme for the 2024 Texas Rose Festival is Fanfare of Festivals. “We decided to celebrate a fanfare of festivals and so that’s going to be all over the world, the state of Texas and most of all the rich history of the Texas Rose Festival,” said coronation co-chair Chelsea Cooper. Inspiration will come from festivals all around the world, some coming from East Texas including the Tomato Fest and Syrup Festival. They also announced Frances Olivia Faulconer as the 91st annual queen, daughter of Galen and Renee Faulconer. “Being chosen as the Queen of the Texas Rose Festival is not just a distinction for me, it’s a testament to the pride and joy it brings to my entire family,” said Faulconer. Continue reading 91st Rose Festival Queen named