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SMITH COUNTY — 17 men were arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on Wednesday and Thursday on charges of solicitation of prostitution, according to Sgt. Adam Albritton, Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division, Rains County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Attorney General’s Office assisted with the operation. Continue reading 17 men arrested in Smith County prostitution sting

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that an East Texas man was sentenced to serve 199 life sentences and two 20-year sentences on Wednesday for felony sexual offenses against children.
Clayton Paul Williams, 36 of Garrison, was indicted in August 2022 for aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. The district attorney’s office said in a release that the abuse spanned more than two years. “Although there were likely additional offenses committed, the defendant has had to answer for and has been held accountable for what we believe is a significant majority of the acts he perpetrated against the child and as such, it is unlikely that he will ever be able to harm another child,” the district attorney’s office said. “It is only through the quick action of the victim’s family member, the immediate response of law enforcement, the assistance of Harold’s House and the unwavering cooperation and support of the victim’s family that this significant prosecution was possible.” Continue reading East Texas man to serve 199 life sentences for sex assault of child

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds citizens that all outdoor burning activity in the county is still prohibited. This includes the burning of trash, debris, and yard waste. Over the past three weeks, our county has experienced over 100 grass and brush fires, with almost 50 calls for illegal burning. The Smith County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday, August 1, to issue a burn ban for the County. The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early. Citations are now being issued as violations are discovered, punishable by a fine up to $500. To date, 33 citations have been issued by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for violations of the burn ban and illegal burning. Continue reading Fire officials urge caution as county enters fourth week of burn ban

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) is encouraging customers to water or irrigate their landscaped areas at certain times to help with the city’s low water pressure issues. According to our news partner KETK, TWU said their water treatment plants see the highest demand for water between 3 p.m. and 9 a.m. so they are asking customers to voluntarily water their lawns and green spaces at night between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. to “help reduce the demand and stress on the water system.” Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities issues voluntary conservation notice

LONGVIEW – An employee at the Longview Fire Department resigned after reportedly sharing private patient information earlier this month. According to a notice from the Longview Fire Department, they “received information that an employee had potentially shared private patient information in violation of department policy and potentially state and federal laws” on Aug. 3 and immediately opened an investigation. Our news partners at KETK report the department prepared to put the employee on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as state law mandates an investigation before any punitive disciplinary action of public safety personnel. Continue reading Longview Fire employee accused of sharing private patient information resigns

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that conservative small business owner and rancher J. Scott Herod announced on Thursday he was filed to run for Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3, which is currently represented by Commissioner Terry Phillips, in the 2024 election. “Living and ranching in Precinct 3, I know the needs of my community ranging from land and utilities to its commerce. I welcome the opportunity to serve the great people who live and work in this area,” Herod said in a release. “As our county population continues to grow, I want to make sure effective and productive planning as well as conservative governing stays at the forefront of decision making and leadership.” Continue reading Rancher running for Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3

TYLER – ERCOT issued a notice on Thursday asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.according to our news partners at KETK. “ERCOT is not experiencing emergency conditions at this time, but forecasts are showing a high potential to enter emergency operations this evening because of expected low wind-power generation and high demand,” officials with ERCOT said in a release. “Help from Texans to conserve electricity use will assist grid reliability.” Continue reading ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity use

LONGVIEW — One person was arrested for arson after a Tuesday house fire in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, crews responded to the scene on Alpine Road and reported when they arrived to have found heavy smoke and fire conditions with the possibility of someone still inside. “Once the person who was thought to be in the structure was located in a detached garage a defensive attack was initiated due to the instability of the structure, which later suffered a partial roof collapse,” officials said. One firefighter was treated on scene for a burn injury. Robert Haats, 32, was later arrested for arson and taken to the Gregg County Jail. Bond was set at $20,000.

LONGVIEW — A former Longview police officer pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to entice a child for sexual activity. According to our news partner KETK, Seth Estes Vanover, 51, of Diana, faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. Vanover was arrested at the Longview Police Department in October 2022 where he was employed as a law enforcement officer at the time. He was caught through an undercover operation by an FBI agent who was working to “identify adults seeking to make online contact with and engage in sexual activity with children.” The agent posed as the parent of an 11-year-old child and posted a notice in a public chat room, which Vanover reportedly answered with a private message. Continue reading Former police officer pleads guilty to attempting to entice child

SMITH COUNTY — Former Smith County deputy constable Derrick Pernell Holman of Jacksonville has been found not guilty of theft by a Smith County jury. In 2021, Holman was originally charged with theft, abuse of official capacity and official oppression along with Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris and Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks who were all accused of stealing cash, electronics, jewelry and more from a property while at work. Another charge of official oppression is considered to be an unadjudicated pending trial, according to the 241st District Court. According to judicial records, Holman was also arrested on Friday, June 3, 2022 for a bond violation and released the same day after posting a $60,000 combined bond.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Precinct 2 Commissioner Steven Norton pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, following his arrest in August 2022. According to our news partner KETK, Norton was sentenced to 365 days in jail probated for 12 months, a $2,500 fine which includes reimbursement for DPS and ambulance fees, 20 hours of community service, a DWI class and a breathalyzer ignition lock, Cherokee County Attorney Dana Young said. He was arrested on Aug. 12, 2022, and charged with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest after allegedly becoming aggressive with a DPS state trooper and refusing a blood alcohol test, documents said. The arrest happened after a Chick-Fil-A employee reported that they were concerned for a customer in the drive-thru and said they could smell alcohol on him. Continue reading Commissioner pleads guilty to DWI

HARRISON COUNTY – A man was arrested after authorities said he was illegally smuggling individuals across the country. According to our news partners at KETK, on Wednesday morning, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for several traffic violations. When the deputy approached, he reportedly saw seven people in the vehicle. After further investigation, authorities said it was discovered that the driver, Christopher Vasquez, was “illegally smuggling individuals across country.” Vasquez was arrested for six charges of smuggling of persons, monetary gain charges, no driver’s license, following too closely, obstructed view, no insurance and obstructed license plate. The other occupants of the vehicle were arrested for not wearing a seatbelt.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – About 110 kilos of liquid methamphetamine were seized on Tuesday 500 feet from a school in Rusk according to our news partner KETK. The sheriff’s office said the seizure was a part of a joint investigation with Jacksonville police and Homeland Security Investigations. The meth carries a street value of about $500,000 and was found by investigators in a storage building on Eagle Drive in an investigation into a drug trafficking organization. The DEA and Lone Star Hazmat were contacted by the sheriff’s office to assist in the seizure and decontamination of the items. “This investigation is still ongoing at this time, and more information will be released on a later date,” Sheriff Brent Dickson said in a release.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Troup man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a shooting Tuesday. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on CR 4625, where they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter, Dylan Bright, 26, was still at the scene and was detained. The victim was flown to a Tyler hospital and is said to be stable. Deputies determined that Bright shot the victim twice. He was booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Additional details were not available.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter will host a Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, August 26. Clear the Shelters is an annual nationwide pet adoption campaign. To celebrate, Smith County Animal Control is offering free dog adoptions for the entire month of August, in exchange for a donation of white washcloths, white towels or blankets. Adoptions will also come with a voucher for a rabies vaccination and spay/neuter. Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Coordinator Amber Greene said they are planning a family fun day at the shelter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 26, which will include food trucks, Kona Ice and dozens of vendors. The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson Street in downtown Tyler. For more information, call 903-266-4303 or click here. To view the dogs currently available at the shelter, click here.