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FLINT — DPS says the driver of a truck that crashed into a house in Flint on Tuesday may have suffered a medical episode. According to our news partner KETK, Sgt. Adam Albritton said the driver submitted a blood sample to confirm a medical episode, but results are pending at this time. Officials say six people were injured after the truck crashed into a home on Walnut Hill and Oak Trail Drive after a two-vehicle collision. Officials said among the injured was a seven-month-old infant who was life-flighted to a Shreveport hospital. The mother and a 10-year-old child were also in the house and transported to a Tyler hospital for their injuries. Continue reading Officials: Driver may have suffered medical episode in Flint crash

EAST TEXAS — Local law enforcement agencies and prevention advocates are taking part in the semi-annual DEA Take Back event to be held Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations around East Texas. The Tyler Police Department event will be held in the parking lot at Brookshire’s on Rice Road, while the UT Tyler Police will host another at the UT Health Science Center on Highway 271. Other events will be held at Walmart in Kilgore, Walgreens in Marshall, First National Bank in Jefferson, and Brookshire’s in Pittsburg, with still others promoting their prescription drug disposal boxes that are available year-round. Continue reading DEA Take Back events set for Saturday

TYLER — A 14-year-old juvenile turned himself in to law enforcement Thursday on a charge of capital murder following a recent homicide. He was booked into the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. On October 22nd at around 2:47 p.m., officers responded to N. Broadway Ave. between 24th and 26th Streets. A victim was located on the sidewalk and transported to UT Health, where he died as a result of gunshot wounds. Witnesses said two suspects were seen running after the shooting. The victim has been identified as Cornelius Tims, 43, of Tyler. The other suspect is still sought. If you have any information on this case, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

EDGEWOOD – Authorities say a man was arrested Wednesday in East Texas and charged with murder, endangering a child, and evading arrest. According to our news partner KETK, Edgewood police say Braylon Diamente Hicks was booked into the Van Zandt County Jail. Hicks was accused of leading East Texas law enforcement on a pursuit from Edgewood to Forney in August. The chase went onto Interstate 20 and reached speeds of up to 120 mph. The Wills Point Police Department said the chase was related to a fatal shooting and kidnapping out of Edgewood. Law enforcement said they found Alyssa Beth Flores in Edgewood with several gunshot wounds, and she succumbed to her injuries. Continue reading Man arrested in murder of woman, kidnapping of baby

HENDERSON COUNTY – Officials with Henderson County said they are still searching for a missing man who was last seen on Sept. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Eugene Gates, 45, is 5’10” tall and weighs about 200 pounds. Officials said he is normally seen wearing a baseball cap but is known to shave his head. Law enforcement said Gates would usually travel to the Van Zandt or Smith County areas. “Still, as of today, we haven’t been able to locate him, his family hasn’t been able to locate him,” Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said on Wednesday. “This isn’t normal behavior for him.” Continue reading Officials still seek man missing since Sept. 8

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Harrison County man awaits extradition from Texas to Louisiana after Shreveport police investigated a tip that said he attempted to orchestrate a murder-for-hire-plot. That’s according to our news partner KETK and its sister stations KTAL and KMSS. Police say a citizen contacted them on Oct. 12 claiming that 41-year-old Jarred Johnson offered money in exchange for his estranged wife’s murder. Investigators determined there was enough credible evidence to pursue an arrest and a warrant was secured. On Oct. 21, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office arrested Johnson on outstanding warrants at his home without incident. Johnson is in the Harrison County Jail awaiting extradition to Caddo Parish, where he will be charged with one count of solicitation for murder. Officials say this is an ongoing investigation.

TYLER — Gantry maintenance is postponed on Toll 49 for the rest of this week and most of next week. The work from SH 64 to I-20, originally set for Thursday and Friday of this week, is now set to get underway Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m., and wrap up at 5 a.m. Friday, November 4. Toll 49 will be closed in the affected area during the maintenance times.

TYLER — Tyler was among the stops Governor Abbott made Wednesday on the campaign trail, along with Addison and Denison. During his tour, Abbott urged supporters to text their friends, saying, “I know that all of you on average have at least 100 contacts in your phone.” He also took a swipe at Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke, telling onlookers, “When Beto was on city council, he raised property taxes three different times. We cannot trust him in the governor’s office.” Abbott says Texas has a $27 billion surplus and he would use half that to cut property taxes. O’Rourke made stops in Waco and Round Rock Wednesday. He says Abbott has refused to close loopholes that let corporations manipulate the process and shift the tax burden on the rest of us.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teenager was arrested for allegedly making a threat toward a school campus. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Michael Crosby, 17, was arrested around 3:10 p.m. and charged with exhibition, use or threat of exhibition or use of firearms regarding the LEAD Academy High School Campus. Longview police learned about the threat from the FBI and said a threatening text message toward the campus was sent through a social media platform. Crosby was arrested at the school and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Continue reading Teen arrested for allegedly making threat against high school

LONGVIEW — An employee with the City of Longview was terminated after self-reporting misuse of a city credit card for personal reasons, city officials confirmed. According to our news partner KETK, Public Information Officer Richard Yeakley says the employee was terminated on Oct. 17. The city said that the employee reported misusing the city credit card for about 18 months. The person was employed by the City of Longview in Dec. 2019, Yeakley said. The Longview Police Department has initiated a criminal investigation, and the city will work with a third-party independent auditor to review all financial dealings that the employee was involved with.

TYLER – Bond has been reduced from $750,000 to $500,000 for a Grand Prairie man indicted for intoxicated manslaughter in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, the parents of 21-year-old Daniel Nyabuto said their son has no money to post bond. Despite disagreements, the prosecution and defense agreed the bond should be reasonable and non-oppressive. Deputy Lorenzo Bustos, 29, was killed in July after the back of his patrol unit was rear-ended on Highway 155 near CR 1237 at a moderate speed while he was standing at the back of the car. Nyabuto, initially arrested for intoxication assault, has remained in jail since the day of the crash. The charge was upgraded to intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer after Bustos died in the hospital.

TYLER – Due to possible inclement weather on Friday, October 28, and agreed upon by all schools involved, the following Tyler ISD varsity football games have been moved to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27: Longview vs. Tyler High at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium and Tyler Legacy vs. North Forney at Forney City Bank Stadium. Tyler ISD sub-varsity games were rescheduled for Wednesday, October 26. Meantime, the Athens at Chapel Hill, Brownsboro at Rusk, and Bullard at Center varsity games are now set for Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

 

MARSHALL — Marshall police have arrested a shooting suspect but continue to investigate the case. Demon Bray, 38, of Marshall is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On Oct. 25 at 2:23 p.m., offficers were called to a location on East End Blvd. North. According to a news release, witnesses reported that a man in a white pickup truck had fired shots at a gold Buick LaSabre. The gunshot victim was able to drive himself to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he was interviewed by Marshall police. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Bray, who police say was captured without incident. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council was presented Wednesday with national and statewide awards recognizing various city programs. The city earned two 2022 Municipal Excellence Awards from the Texas Municipal League recognizing the city’s management innovation and public safety programs for cities with populations over 25,000, according to a news release. One award recognized the city for its Infants at Work pilot program, which allows parents to bring their babies to work until they are six months old. The city was also honored for the addition of a Homeless Coordinator position for the Tyler Police Department. And Smith County Champions for Children gave the city its 2022 Corporate Champion Award for the city’s effort in supporting employees with newborn children through the Infants at Work program. Continue reading City of Tyler wins national and statewide excellence awards

GRAND SALINE — A teenager was arrested in East Texas on Tuesday for a capital murder charge, according to our news partner KETK. Julio David Falcon, 17, was located on North Waldrip Street in Grand Saline around 5:30 p.m. He was wanted by the Dallas Police Department. The Grand Saline Police Department and the United States Marshals Service arrested the teenager. Falcon was booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Officials said they are still investigating the incident. “This was a great example of law enforcement agencies working together to keep our communities safe,” said the Grand Saline Police Department.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The FAA and NTSB are investigating after a pilot was killed in a plane crash on the south shore of Lake Palestine Friday afternoon. The single-engine Vans RV12 crashed after taking off from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, with only the pilot on board, according to the FAA. The name of the person killed in the crash was not immediately released. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide additional updates.

TYLER – A U.S. district judge filed an order on Monday effectively denying Brownsboro ISD’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges the high school baseball team has a “long-standing hazing tradition.” That’s according to our news partner KETK. The case, which alleges upper classmen on the baseball team openly discussed hazing and sexually assaulted a freshman student on the bus in the presence of the head baseball coach during the 2019-2020 school year, is set to move forward. Claims that the district created a heightened risk for students to be sexually assaulted were denied by the judge. Continue reading Lawsuit alleging sexual harassment in Brownsboro ISD will move forward

TYLER – A Tyler woman who was sentenced to eight years in prison for child abandonment died on Sunday, Oct. 23. According to our news partner KETK, Kelsey Frazier, 28, was at the Marlin Unit in Marlin, Texas, near Waco. She died from cardiac arrest at a hospital in Marlin, said the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Frazier was sentenced in March of 2021 after she pleaded guilty to leaving an 11-month-old girl in her bathroom closet for three hours. The case was prosecuted in the 241st District Court in Smith County.

TYLER — Tyler police seek your help finding 17-year-old Evie Camacho, who has been missing since January 8, 2020. Police say Evie’s height and weight from 2020 were 5’4” and 120 lbs. According to authorities, Evie is possibly in the company of her biological mother and may still be in the Tyler area, but this has not been verified. They add that her family has not been cooperative. If you have information related to this case, contact Detective Holland at 903-531-1098.

FLINT — Officials say six people are injured after a truck crashed into a Flint home on Walnut Hill and Oak Trail Drive after a two-vehicle collision. According to our news partner KETK, officials said among the injured was a seven-month-old infant who was life-flighted to a Shreveport hospital. The mother and a 10-year-old child were also in the house and transported to a Tyler hospital for their injuries. Three other injuries were reported from a truck and SUV involved in the crash. The call came in around 7 a.m. when fire officials were dispatched to the scene. When they arrived, officials with the Flint-Gresham Fire Department said a truck was inside the house with an SUV attached to it.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler is offering scholarships for incoming and current students at the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Incoming pharmacy students who meet GPA requirements may qualify for a 100% reduction of tuition and fees for their first year in the curriculum. Current pharmacy students who meet program requirements may also qualify for the reduction. The scholarship is available for an annual merit-based renewal. “There is an urgent need for highly skilled healthcare professionals in East Texas,” UT Tyler Executive Vice President of Health Affairs Dr. Julie Philley (pictured) said in a prepared statement. “Through this new tuition program in our Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, UT Tyler is investing in preparing future pharmacists for rewarding careers that provide vital care for our region.” Continue reading UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy launches free tuition program

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve policy changes for the Animal Control and Shelter. Members of the Commissioners Court expressed concerns that the changes could increase the number of dogs taken in by the shelter and urged dog owners to take responsibility to spay and neuter their pets. Policy changes include extended hours, including staying open during the lunch hour, closing at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and opening on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The changes were outlined by Amber Greene (pictured), the county’s animal control and shelter supervisor. Continue reading Smith County Animal Control policy changes

LONGVIEW — A Joyce Crane employee is dead after an incident at Eastman Chemical Company in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, Harrison County Sheriff B.J. Fletcher says a preliminary investigation concluded that Monday’s death was a “horrible accident.” Eastman Chemical employs around 1,500 East Texans. officials say the person who died was not an Eastman employee. In a prepared statement, the company said in part, “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

TYLER (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Tuesday reported net income of $27 million in its third quarter. The bank said it had earnings of 84 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $77.1 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $69.5 million, exceeding Street forecasts.

TYLER — A pedestrian was fatally struck on a Tyler roadway. According to Tyler police, it happened just after midnight Tuesday. Officers responded to the 3700 block of Troup Hwy following a report of a pedestrian in the roadway. Witnesses said the pedestrian was in the roadway on Troup Hwy, not at an intersection or designated crosswalk, when he was struck by a vehicle that was northbound on Troup Hwy. The pedestrian was identified as Caleb Roach, 46, from Tyler. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — Police in Tyler seek your help solving a weekend homicide. On October 22nd at around 2:47 p.m., officers responded to N. Broadway Ave. between 24th and 26th Streets. A victim was located on the sidewalk and transported to UT Health, where he died as a result of gunshot wounds. Witnesses said two suspects were seen running after the shooting. The victim has been identified as Cornelius Tims, 43, of Tyler. If you have any information on this case, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

OVERTON – No injuries were reported, but the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in downtown Overton has been classified as a complete loss after firefighters from across the region responded to a fire there Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials said wind caused the fire to reignite throughout the night before it was finally contained at 9 a.m. Monday. The Rusk County Fire Marshal said authorities are still working to complete their full investigation, but there are no suspicions of foul play at this time.

TYLER – A Tyler man was indicted for murder and aggravated assault and is accused of shooting two men at a family gathering on Moore Street in Tyler June 25. According to our news partner KETK, court documents say the family had gathered to celebrate the birthday of a deceased family member who witnesses said shares twins with Larry Taylor. Taylor, 40, was initially arrested at the time of the incident after officials said he went to the gathering to try to get the twins to leave with him when a family member intervened. Documents state Taylor left with one child and returned to the gathering about 30 to 45 minutes later. Taylor told officials at the time he left the child at his girlfriend’s house and went to purchase a gun from a friend before returning. Continue reading Tyler man indicted for murder in shooting of two at family gathering

LONGVIEW — Gregg County cleared their jury docket for all trials the week of October 24. Our news partner KETK reports anyone with a jury summons for this week is no longer required to show up for their scheduled jury duty. District Clerk Trey Hattaway says he appreciates the county’s citizens and their willingness to serve.

TYLER — The Smith County Tax Office is mailing out 187,000 property tax statements. Payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement; it will take you directly to the payment page on your account. If you live in the Whitehouse Independent School District, your property tax statements will not be mailed until after the November 8 General Election, Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the deadline for paying property taxes. Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box outside of the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. Click here for all the details.