LONGVIEW â CHRISTUS Good Shepherd has earned the Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology. According to our news partner KETK, its the first time the hospital has achieved this honor and one of only 262 hospitals to be recognized in the United States. The Chief of Cardiology, Dr. Chris McClish said, âThis is a tremendous honor and achievement for the community and patients of the Longview region. To be recognized by the American College of Cardiology highlights the tremendous effort by our associates and demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality, comprehensive cardiac care.â
Continue reading CHRISTUS Good Shepherd earns nationwide award
Meth seized after man attempts to flee traffic stop
KILGORE – During a traffic stop, a man with several warrants was arrested after allegedly attempting to run from police while being in possession of methamphetamines. According to our news partner KETK, on Aug. 12, an officer with the Kilgore Police Department said he saw Tucker Thedford as a passenger in a vehicle and recognized him as a suspect that had several warrants for his arrest including a parole warrant. After Thedford resisted, an officer was able to place him in handcuffs but police said he attempted to run away from the officer before shortly being caught. Thedford was reportedly found to be in possession of approximately 8.1 grams of meth and was taken to the Gregg County Jail on the warrant charges along with resisting arrest, search or transport and possession of a controlled substance.
2 arrested for Cherokee County drug trafficking
CHEROKEE COUNTY â Two people were arrested in connection to a drug trafficking organization in Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Sheriffâs Office and the Jacksonville Police Department conducted a three-month investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization at a residence on County Road 4303 in Jacksonville. As a result of that investigation, authorities issued arrest warrants for Drew Clark Sr. and Latona Durrett for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Continue reading 2 arrested for Cherokee County drug trafficking
1 hospitalized after rollover wreck
LONGVIEW â A driver was hospitalized after a two-vehicle wreck rollover wreck in Longview according to our news partners at KETK. On Tuesday around 3 p.m., the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department (WHVFD) responded to reports of a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of FM 449 and Will Smith Road. The wreck involved a truck that rolled over off the side of the road. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital by Christus EMS. A WHVFD rescue vehicle, one CAFS truck, two DPS units and five personnel responded to the scene to assist.
Smith County jury parking to move during construction
TYLER — Smith County residents summoned to appear for Smith County Jury Duty are being asked to change where they park during construction of the Countyâs parking garage. For many years, jurors have parked in the large lot on East Ferguson Street but now, those reporting for duty are being asked to park in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208. S. College Avenue. The walking distance from the parking garage to the Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Broadway Avenue, is 733 feet, while the parking lot on Ferguson Street is 852 feet from the Courthouse. It is free to park in the Fair Plaza Garage on all four floors, except for the reserved spaces. Jurors are asked to park on the third and fourth floors. Continue reading Smith County jury parking to move during construction
Kilgore street to close for bridge construction
KILGORE — Henderson Boulevard will be closed Thursday for the construction of the Kilgore College bridge. According to our news partner KETK, the road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a detour route using Houston Street, S. Commerce Street and Harris Street. On Saturday, there will be a closure from 4 a.m. until noon, and drivers can use that same detour. After that, Henderson Boulevard will be a two-lane two-way roadway for several weeks while construction is completed.
60,000 bottles of water donated to Tyler ISD bus drivers
TYLER — Tyler ISD bus drivers will soon have cases of water on hand for their routes. According to our news partner KETK, Churches Serving Schools and the Brookshire Grocery Company partnered to supply more than 60,000 bottles of water to Tyler ISD bus drivers. âWe are beyond grateful for this donation for our Tyler ISD bus drivers,â Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said. âThey are the first person thousands of our students see every school day and the last person they see when the school day ends. Our drivers travel more than 7,500 miles daily, covering Tyler ISDâs 193-square-mile school district. This incredible gesture means so much to each and every one of them.â Continue reading 60,000 bottles of water donated to Tyler ISD bus drivers
Palestine Police announce death of K9 officer
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department lost a K9 officer this week. The department announced that K9 Hera died on Aug. 14 from a recent illness, according to our news partner KETK. The department said she will be remembered as a hard-working member of the Palestine Police Department and a public servant to the community. âOur condolences go to her family during this difficult time,â Palestine PD said. âRest easy, Hera. We have the watch from here.â
Former Tyler bus station being renovated into Greyhound Inn
TYLER — Work is underway to renovate Tylerâs former Greyhound bus station into a new boutique inn that will serve downtown Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the Greyhound Inn will feature nine rooms, five original upstairs apartments, two first floor units and two new rooms that will divide the buildingâs Art Moderne addition. Originally the buildingâs rooms were used for overnight Greyhound bus drivers, so many of them were fully equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes and will be again once the renovation is complete. âI believe these will be the most unique hospitality rooms in all of East Texas, when finished. Itâs hard to explain how cool these rooms are until you see them for yourself,â said Andy Bergfeld with Bergfeld Realty Company. Continue reading Former Tyler bus station being renovated into Greyhound Inn
Feds indict 3 for having 3 pounds of meth
CHEROKEE COUNTY â A federal grand jury July 19 returned indictments on three persons on several drug charges. According to our news partner KETK, indicted were Joshua Lindsey, Amanda Lindsey and Jacob Lacey. They were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.
Continue reading Feds indict 3 for having 3 pounds of meth
Longview ISD proposing $359 million bond
LONGVIEW â Longview ISD is proposing a tax rate cut for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and a bond election for Nov. 7. According to our news partners at KETK, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved a proposed property tax rate decrease from $1.3276 per $100 valuation to $1.1422 per $100 valuation. This proposed rate includes $0.6692 for Maintenance and Operations and $0.4730 for Interest and Sinking. They also are projecting a budget of $100,715,705 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, up from last yearâs budget total of $94,214,401. Continue reading Longview ISD proposing $359 million bond
Man gets life for child sexual assault
MOUNT PLEASANT â The Mount Pleasant Police Department said a man was sentenced to life in prison for continuous sexual assault of child on Monday. Cornelio Macedo-Medrano, 58, was arrested in 2021 after he was accused of sexually assaulting a child between 3 and 5-years-old. âIt took enormous courage on behalf of the victim to come forward and speak with the MPPD. Thanks to the Titus County District Attorneyâs Office, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, investigators from the MPPD, and the brave victim, today Macedo-Medrano was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.â –Â Mount Pleasant Texas Police Department
People hospitalized after 18-wheeler wreck
LONGVIEW â Occupants of two vehicles were hospitalized after a wreck involving an 18-wheeler on Monday morning according to our news partners at KETK. Around 8:40 a.m., the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle wreck with a possible entrapment. When crews arrived, they reportedly found a car, truck and 18-wheeler were involved in the accident. The fire department said that occupants from both vehicles were taken to a local hospital. âThe department responded with 1 rescue truck, 1 tanker for traffic control and 7 personnel,â said the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department. No further information is available at this time.
Daniel Alders to run for Texas House
TYLER â Tyler businessman Daniel Alders announced Tuesday he will run for the Texas House District 6 seat, currently held by Representative Matt Schaefer. Schaefer announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. According to our news partner KETK, Alders is the President of Drake Management Services, which is a Tyler-based commercial property management company. Prior to that he was the East Texas Regional Director to Senator Ted Cruz. In that job, Drake was the primary liaison from the Senators office to a 35 county region.
At the time of the announcement Alders said, âI am grateful for the encouragement I have received from leaders across Smith County, and especially for Representative Schaeferâs endorsement. I look forward to continuing his legacy of conservative leadership in Austin.â
Smith County residents warned about scam calls
SMITH COUNTY — Another scam is finding its way to cell phones of East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriffâs Office is warning residents about a scam where victims get a call from someone claiming to be Chief Deputy John Garrison with the SCSO, telling the recipient that they missed a grand jury subpoena. âThe proposed victim immediately recognized this as a scam and did not let the suspect get far enough to explain the payment method,â said SCSO Sgt. Larry Christian. âTypically, these scammers will demand immediate payment for nonexistent fines and/or warrants for missed jury service.â Christian said he talked with the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, John Garrison. Continue reading Smith County residents warned about scam calls