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TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 19, voted to unanimously appoint Smith County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Hogue to serve as Fire Marshal. After Commissioners Court, Hogue was sworn into the position by County Judge Neal Franklin.“Chad Hogue has proven his dedication and commitment to the Fire Marshal’s Office,” Franklin said. “In my mind’s eye, I believe he’s the man for the job for the future of our Fire Marshal’s Office.” Hogue said he was thankful for the opportunity. “I love Smith County and I love the Fire Marshal’s Office,” he said. Continue reading New Smith County Fire Marshall appointed

HENDERSON – USDA Rural Development State Director Lillian Salerno will visit Henderson Wednesday morning September 20 at 11 to highlight a historic investment to expand high-speed internet infrastructure for more than 1,200 rural locations in Cherokee and Anderson counties. Salerno will talk about $25 million in funding through the USDA’s ReConnect Program. The USDA feels the ReConnect Program will help close he digital divide in rural areas and further econmic prosperity. This event is free to attend at 3675 U.S. Highway 79 South in Henderson.

WILLS POINT – The Wills Point Police Department confirmed Edgewood Chief of Police David Hammonds died on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a Will Points PD spokesperson said that Hammonds had served in law enforcement and in Edgewood for several decades. They also said, “Tonight we ask for prayers for the Hammonds family and everyone with the City of Edgewood. Chief Hammonds was not only a great man with decades dedicated to law enforcement, he was also actively involved in the community!!! We will miss you sir.”
Continue reading The Edgewood Police Chief has died

MINEOLA – The Texas Department of Public Safety said that a man is dead and another man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash happened on US Highway 69 on Saturday. According to DPS, the crash happened three miles north of Mineola in Wood County around 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. Continue reading One dead, driver charged with intoxication manslaughter

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree felony injury to a child according to our news partners at KETK. Joshua Meekings, 27, was initially arrested in May 2022 after, according to his arrest affidavit, his 4-year-old stepson suffered third-degree burns in a bathtub while in his care. The affidavit said that despite Meekings claim that he left the child in the bathtub while he went into another room to play video games, it is believed that he held the child down in the bathtub causing the burns on up to 36% of the child’s body. Meekings was indicted on Aug. 11, 2022 and pleaded guilty to injury to a child on Monday before he was sentenced.

TITUS COUNTY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said they’re searching for a man considered dangerous after a chase on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Matthew Colvile allegedly led Lamar County law enforcement on a chase through Red River County and into northern Titus County before bailing out of a reportedly stolen vehicle at his residence on Titus County Road 1925, officials said. Colvile reportedly continued to flee and got into a dark colored side by side/UTV that he drove into the woods. TCSO said he rammed several police vehicles in Lamar County and is believed to be in possession of one firearm at least. As of 11:30 p.m. on Friday he was still at large and officials believe he’s still in the area of his residence.

WOODVILLE – The Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened after a Woodville Police Department officer was shot on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officer Troy Costello was shot while responding to a call about a man causing a disturbance in the 200 block of Shivers Drive around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday. Costello reportedly tried to make contact with the man driving a white pickup truck but the driver allegedly ignored him and drove away. Costello pursued him for several blocks on MLK Drive, radioed for assistance and kept pursuing him onto South Pecan Street.The pursuit reportedly stopped at the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Pecan Street, where Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the driver. Continue reading Woodville police officer shot, Hemphill man dead

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities has been notified of a man and woman who have been calling local hotels claiming they are representatives of the Tyler Water Business Office and requesting payment. The callers state the hotels have 60 gallons of water left to use and need to pay $7,500 by Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to keep their service on. They also claim their meters were changed out and to keep them, the hotel must make this payment. The caller then states they will give them a bank code to make the payment and then they will need to call back with a confirmation number. The female is using the name Amy Diaz. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities warns of scam callers

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD said that a juvenile has been taken into custody in connection to a recent social media post threatening Henderson Middle School. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that on Friday morning students reported the seeing the post which threatened to “shoot up” the school. Although administrators determined there was no imminent danger, an investigation was started by HISD and Henderson Police Department. With the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, officials discovered the person who made the threat to the school. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody for making terroristic threats and officials said there are no other threats at this time. “The safety of our students and staff remains Henderson ISD’s top priority and we are appreciative of both the students who quickly reported this threat to teachers and the Henderson Police Department for their efforts and ongoing commitment to protect the students and staff of HISD.”

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced on Thursday they now have flu vaccines available. According to our news partner KETK, they’re available at the main office located at 815 N. Broadway Avenue on the corner of North Broadway and Gentry Parkway. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the clinic is open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Those enrolled on Medicaid or CHIP insurance plans can get their vaccinations for free. Children in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program will be assessed a $10 administrative fee. The price for adults is $25 and Medicare Part B is accepted. The high dose influenza vaccine is free for those on Medicare who are aged 65 years and older. Those without Medicare must pay $70. For more information, people are asked to contact the NET Health Immunizations Department at 903-510-5604.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that the Texas 12th Court of Appeals upheld a life sentence for Jacolbe Rashad Kirby, who was was given the sentence for the death of Malcolm Hunter who was shot and killed in his Jacksonville home in 2018. Kirby was convicted in February 2022 after a three day trial, and filed his appeal a few months later.

LONGVIEW – Trevorris Rashomique Woodard, 35 of Longview, has a warrant our for his arrest by the Longview Police Department. Our news partner KETK reports that this is in connection with a 2023 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case. Woodard is listed as a 5’7″ black man who weighs about 185 pounds.

Anyone with information about Woodard is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Zacorian Deandre White, 30, will serve 7 years after a Monday sentance by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after marijuana and oxycodone were reportedly found in his vehicle in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, White was pulled over by a DPS trooper on Dec. 18, 2022 on US 175 in Henderson County. During the stop, the trooper could reportedly smell the sent of marijuana coming from the vehicle. White then handed the trooper a joint on an ashtray along with a bag containing marijuana cigarettes. After a search was conducted, a backpack with more marijuana, a bottle that contained over 15 grams of oxycodone, a digital scale and a metal grinder were found in White’s possession.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has arrested a man and two juveniles in connection to a murder that took place in Longview back in April but are still searching for woman that was allegedly involved as well. Our news partner KETK reports that police arrested 41-year-old Andrew Thomas and booked him into the Gregg County Jail on a $500,000 and detained two juveniles Tuesday. Authorities have obtained a murder warrant for Shalonda Johnson, 41, in connection to the same crime. Police identified Johnson as a “black female, 5’5” and 190 pounds.” “If you know the current and exact location of Shalonda Johnson, submit a tip anonymously at Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867), or visit greggcountycrimestoppers.org or contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.”