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TYLER – A Lindale man was sentenced on Monday to six months in state jail for arson after pleading guilty to setting clothes on fire inside a Tyler Walmart. According to an arrest warrant, Tyler police and the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene at the Walmart on Highway 64 on Dec. 9, 2020 where it was reported a young man had set clothes on fire and left the store. Tiko Porter, 25 of Lindale, was later identified as the person seen in surveillance footage and the warrant said he was seen near the rack of clothes and moments later “smoke and fire can be seen rising up from the clothes and the rack.” Continue reading Man sentenced to 6 months in state jail for 2020 arson at Tyler Walmart

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court ratified a resolution Tuesday, proclaiming April 13, 2023, as “John Sims Day” in Smith County, in honor of the veteran radio newsman who was laid to rest last Thursday. “This community was his family,” KTBB Account Executive Lonnie Johnson said in Commissioners Court. “It was always obvious but upon his death, it became even more obvious.” Since 1998, Sims served as news anchor and editor at KTBB radio. His career in radio spanned 46 years, with 43 of those in East Texas. He died March 31, 2023, after he was struck by a vehicle while walking near his home. His memorial service was held April 13, at First Christian Church. Continue reading Commissioners Court approves “John Sims Day” in Smith County

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department arrested a 24-year-old man in connection to a 2022 murder case. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Longview detectives served a murder warrant on Preston Wade Graham, of Gladewater. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a murder charge. Bond has not yet been set. On Oct. 10, officials responded to a call in the area of Baxley Lane regarding an assault. Arriving officers found an injured victim inside a residence. The victim was taken to a local hospital and died the following day. According to online records, Graham’s criminal history includes, evading arrest, theft of property and DWI.

TYLER — Elizabeth Gomez, assistant principal of Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, has been named the new principal at Bonner Elementary School. “It means so much to me to continue to grow here at home in Tyler ISD,” Gomez said. “I have had the pleasure to meet many wonderful mentors on my journey from student to educator and administrator, and those experiences will guide me to create a positive impact at Bonner Elementary.” Gomez joined Tyler ISD in 2015 as a classroom teacher at Bell Elementary School. In 2019, she moved into an administrative role at the district, serving as a Bilingual/ESL Instructional Specialist. Gomez became assistant principal at Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School in 2020. Continue reading Tyler ISD names new elementary school principal

BULLARD — A new principal for Bullard High School has been named. Chad Bentley was approved by the Bullard ISD Board of Trustees during the April regular monthly board meeting Monday evening, April 17. According to a news release from the district, Mr. Bentley comes to Bullard from Canyon Lake High School in Comal ISD, where he has served as assistant principal and interim academic dean since 2020. Before his administrative role in Comal ISD, he served in Malakoff ISD as fine arts coordinator from 2013 to 2020 and head band director from 2012 to 2016. He has also served as head band director at Cayuga High School and assistant band director at Eustace High School. Continue reading Bullard ISD announces new high school principal

TYLER – A Grand Prairie man charged in the death of Smith County deputy Lorenzo Bustos has requested a change of venue to Cherokee County. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Nyabuto, 21 of Grand Prairie, asked for the change of venue after being indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer on Oct. 13, 2022. Nyabuto’s request for change of venue to a Cherokee County court has not been granted and the earliest the decision could come is at the next hearing on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The state prosecutors are currently waiting on more info from DPS and they’ve made no offers to Nyabuto yet.

CHANDLER – After several reports of parked cars getting their windows bashed in, Chandler Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the culprits. According to our news partner KETK, on the north side of Highway 31, police said that during the night or early morning hours several neighbors had their windows broken on cars parked “at several locations.” In addition to those incidents, CPD report isolated issues involving juveniles committing offenses during the night across the city. Police ask that anyone with video cameras check their footage to see if they can catch anyone walking through the area. “Chandler officers will be diligently working neighborhoods and speaking to anyone out walking after dark,” police said.

TYLER – Keep Tyler Beautiful is inviting artists to submit artwork for their 100th Beauty and the Box. The Beauty and the Box program began in 2016 to transform utilitarian traffic boxes into works of art by local artists. According to our news partner KETK, the programs pilot began with only 10 boxes located in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District but has now grown to 95 vinyl-wrapped traffic cabinets across the City of Tyler. Keep Tyler Beautiful is asking artists to submit artwork for the 100th box with the theme centered around “all things Keep Tyler Beautiful.” The winning artist of this century-mark box will earn a $250 stipend from Keep Tyler Beautiful.

TYLER — The City of Tyler reopened Noble E. Young park on Saturday after making some upgrades. The grand opening was held on Saturday; visitors and the city celebrated the improvements. Changes include new restrooms, art murals, a new walking trail, outdoor gym, bike park, new picnic tables, benches and pavilions, according to our news partner KETK. “This is one of the things I wanted to do and I promised my constituents that when I got elected that this was one of the parks that I wanted to see renovated and I’m glad to see it finally come to fruition,” said Broderick McGee, City of Tyler councilman. The community development block grant program provided funding for the new park upgrades.

TYLER – Tyler Police and Fire departments met at Tyler Park for their fifth annual Battle of the Badges softball game on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler PD’s crimes against children unit detective Ryan Caldwell created the program five years ago following his 4-year-old nephew’s type one diabetes diagnosis. “So the winner has bragging rights for the year and everything we make through raffle sales or anything, all the proceeds go to Tyler Type One Diabetes Foundation,” Caldwell said. Caldwell said the game is always a good time.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches woman was booked in to Nacogdoches County Jail on Friday on the charge of capital murder of a person under 10 years old. According to our news partner KETK, Hanna Ruth Moses, 33 of Nacogdoches, was arrested and booked on Friday, March 15. Moses is awaiting trial and has not had a bond amount set yet. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

TRINITY COUNTY – Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace shared on Facebook that he was bit by an alligator on Friday night. Wallace said the alligator grabbed into his flesh and went into a death roll while he was attempting to capture it. Wallace was apparently able to subdue the creature but not before he and another Trinity County resident suffered several cuts. According to our news partner KETK, Wallace says the alligator was relocated safely into a pond after its capture. Continue reading Trinity County Sheriff attacked by alligator

SMITH COUNTY — Congressman Nathaniel Moran gave an East Texas welcome to the group of 60 Christians from the Mayflower Church out of China Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the welcome event was held at the South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler. Pastor Chris Legg opened the event with a prayer before welcoming Moran to the stage. “It is a blessing to be here today and this is the most important thing I think we’re going to see happen in East Texas today, this week, possibly this month and year,” Moran said. After sharing scripture from the Bible, Moran wanted to leave the attendees of the event with three thoughts. Continue reading Welcome event for Chinese Christian asylum seekers in Smith County