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LONGVIEW — Longview ISD has announced the names of two new principals who will serve at Longview High School and Foster Middle School in the upcoming school year, according to our news partner KETK. Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox named Shameika Allen as the interim principal of Longview High School and Mary Taylor as the principal of Foster Middle School, a Longview ISD press release said. Continue reading Longview ISD names principals of high school, middle school

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK the City of Lufkin is trying to identify the driver of an SUV that was involved in an Abney Avenue crash that left a bicyclist dead around 6:17 a.m. on Sunday. The bicyclist was riding his bicycle west in the 900 block of Abney Avenue when officials said a black SUV going at a high speed crossed all three lanes and hit the bicyclist. According to a press release the driver kept driving west on Abney after the crash. The bicyclist was taken to a local hospital by ambulance where officials said he was pronounced dead. Authorities are canvassing the area for security footage of the crash or vehicle and ask anyone in the area to check their footage around 6:05 to 6:25 a.m. The vehicle in question is believed to have damage to the driver’s side headlight, according to a City of Lufkin press release. Anyone with information or video is asked to call the Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin confirmed that Lance Phillips, the son of two Smith County officials, turned himself in to law enforcement on Saturday, according to our news partner KETK. Constable Joplin said that Phillips contacted him personally around 2 p.m. on Saturday to have him come pick him up to take him to jail. Phillips is the son of Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips and County Clerk Karen Phillips. He was wanted after allegedly running from officials after being held in contempt of court on Thursday. Phillips was booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with making a false report inducing an emergency response, evading arrest and contempt of court, jail records show. He’s being held on a total of $105,000 bond, according to jail records.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A deputy has been placed on administrative leave while Texas Rangers investigate an incident that took place on July 23 between him and an inmate at the Cherokee County Jail. Sheriff Brent Dickson contacted the Texas Rangers to investigate the incident after reviewing it himself. Pending the Texas Rangers investigation, Dickson said the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave and no further information can be released at this time, updates will posted as they become available.

GROVETON – According to our news partner KETK a wanted man is in custody and a deputy was hospitalized with a head injury following a tense five-hour standoff in Trinity County overnight. Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace identified the suspect as Keith “KD” Williams. Authorities received a crime stoppers tip that Williams, a convicted sex offender last registered in Polk County, was living in an RV in Groveton. When they went out to serve a felony warrant, he reportedly locked himself inside the RV, shouting at officers from inside. While Williams was barricaded, Wallace said he threw items like spears, arrows, wooden blocks, chemicals, water and propane tanks at law enforcement. The suspect hit one of our deputies in the head with a hammer,” Wallace said. Continue reading Sex offender arrested, deputy hospitalized after standoff

LONGVIEW – As part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Community Eligibility Provision allows qualifying schools that serve populations with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch. Ms. Phyllis Dozier, LISD Director of Child Nutrition, said the program has been in place at Longview ISD since 2019, and “will continue to benefit our students, our families, and the district.” Continue reading Longview ISD offers free breakfast, lunch for all students

GLADEWATER – A 73-year-old man is dead after his tractor fell on top of him on Wednesday afternoon according to our news partners at KETK. On Wednesday, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 900 block of Lake Deverina in reference to a man who had been crushed by a tractor. According to Justice of the Peace Tim Bryan, David Cates was on his tractor working in his yard when the tractor tipped over falling off of a four-foot retaining wall. Bryan said the tractor landed on Cates, causing blunt force trauma. At 3:15 p.m., Cates was pronounced dead on the scene by Bryan and the investigation led officials to believe Cates was killed instantly by the impact of the tractor landing on top of him.

HARRISON COUNTY — A suspect has been arrested in connection to a murder that took place on July 4 in Ore City. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the homicide case after responding to a shooting in the Ore City/Lazy Lakes area. Authorities said Jeremy Vick, 35, had died at a local hospital from a gunshot wound. Investigators issued a warrant for Kristopher Dylan Ratcliff, 36, for the charges of murder, aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Ratcliff was nabbed by the U.S. Marshal Services in Bangor, Maine and will be arraigned upon waiver of extradition, then transferred to the Harrison County Jail.

WINONA — Lance Phillips, the son of Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips and County Clerk Karen Phillips, is wanted after he allegedly ran from officials after being told he was in contempt of court on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, a pretrial hearing was held Thursday in Winona for Cody Voss, who was charged with failure to identify and arrested along with Derek Phillips following a traffic stop in March where Karen Phillips, Smith County Clerk, was also arrested for allegedly interfering with the traffic stop. According to Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin, Lance Phillips said he was going to speak on Voss’ behalf at the hearing, but he was told that he was not allowed to speak in the court because he is not an attorney. Continue reading Son of SC commissioner flees contempt charge

HAWKINS — Law enforcement in Hawkins is trying to gather information about a sexual assault that happened this week at a convenience store location. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say a women was getting gas early Wednesday morning July 26 when she was sexually assaulted at a closed convenience store. Anyone with information relating to this are asked to contact the Hawkins Police Department or the Wood County Sheriff’s Department.

COFFEE CITY – Police are looking for a person they say was carrying more than 900 grams of suspected meth in a backpack while fleeing from police.

At around 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Sgt. Welch with the Coffee City Police Department attempted to stop a blue 2005 Kawasaki 1300 motorcycle on State Highway 155. Police said the motorcycle fled north and crashed near the 22900 block of Lakeway Harbor Drive.

Officers reported finding roughly 952 grams of suspected methamphetamine in a backpack next to the wrecked motorcycle. Police describe the driver as having a medium build, possibly white or Hispanic, wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a black helmet and possibly armed with a handgun. Continue reading More than 900 grams of suspected meth found

RUSK COUNTY – The Texas Rangers are investigating an in-custody death that happened at the Rusk County Jail on Sunday afternoon. According to our news partners at KETK and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Johnny Bradley, 61, was found unresponsive in his bed by jail staff on Sunday afternoon. Officials said that staff immediately began CPR before Bradley was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Bradley’s family was notified and according to the sheriff’s office, his body is being taken to Tyler for an autopsy. The Texas Rangers are conducting an investigation into Bradley’s death as per standard procedure.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council recognized first responders for their combined, 175 years of service to the Rose City, at Wednesday morning’s city council meeting, our news partner KETK reports. “It’s amazing how quick 25 years has gone,” said Cordell Parker, Fire Battalion Chief. The City of Tyler recognized seven firemen who have served the city for 25 years. “We’re just here to serve them and what they need, you know they need something done, an emergency we’re here to take care of them,” said Parker. Mayor Don Warren presented honorary certificates to each first responder for their commitment over several years. Continue reading Several Tyler firefighters honored for 25 years of service

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are searching for a 14-year-old runaway. According to the sheriff’s office, Lincoln Legg ran away from his residence on July 10. He was subsequently located on July 24, although he ran away again after returning home. Lincoln is considered to be a chronic runaway and his welfare is of  high concern. Officials believe Lincoln to be in circumstances and situations that would be considered dangerous for a child. Lincoln is described as a white male, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5’06, 130 lbs. Lincoln is reported to have recently shaved his head. He has been located in the past, within the city limits of Tyler and is known to frequent the East Loop 323 corridor area. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office searching for runaway