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SMITH COUNTY — Jackson community residents’ concerns continue to grow after more than a decade of dealing with unclean water. According to our news partner KETK, the community held a meeting Thursday and said enough is enough.
“Well, we don’t really know how good the water is because we have so much raw sewage all over the place,” said Jackson resident Nola Chandler (pictured). Chandler has had her water tested by Jackson Water Supply because she has one of the oldest houses in the community. She said that previous tests have come back with excessive amounts of magnesium. Many residents use filtered water and bottled water. After her recent test earlier this year, the water supply company has not gotten back to her with the results. Continue reading Jackson community voices water concerns

KILGORE — Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton was honored Thursday by the East Texas Council of Governments when they named a conference room after her. Hampton has served on the ETCOG Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for a total of 19 years. She is retiring December 31 from her commissioner’s post, which she has held since 2003. A conference room in the ETCOG building in Kilgore was named the “JoAnn Hampton Conference and Awards Room.” “This is a great day for East Texas,” ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland said to a group of family, friends, and coworkers. “We’re recognizing excellence in service and applauding their dedicated service.” Continue reading Commissioner JoAnn Hampton honored by ETCOG

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department announced Thursday that they arrested Ceylan Bridges, 25, in the 2015 murder of Devyn Gibson. According to our news partner KETK, police said in September 2015 that Gibson was found dead in the street near Rothrock Dr. and Sibley St. from multiple gunshot wounds. According to the department, this was the eleventh homicide of the year. Authorities say they captured Bridges without incident and booked him into the Gregg County Jail on a warrant for murder.

RUSK – A Shreveport man was arrested Wednesday in Mesquite for the capital murder of two people in Cherokee County, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect, who officials identified as Devon Harris, turned himself into the Mesquite Police Department, according to our news partner KETK. Harris is accused in the murders of Jakari Hogan and Ronnie Pearson on Jan. 30 on Hwy. 79 East at the Cherokee/Rusk County line. The two men were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds after officials received a call about about two injured men found on the side of the highway. A warrant for Harris’s arrest was issued in February, and a multi-agency search for Harris was conducted in both Louisiana and Texas for his arrest, according to officials.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has received a $100,000 gift from the estate of Elizabeth “Bitsy” Wright. The gift will establish an endowed scholarship for students in the university’s sociology and psychology programs. “We are grateful for this gift that will continue to benefit students for many years,” said UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun, as quoted in a news release. A UT Tyler alum, Wright died in June. She served as a member of the UT Tyler Alumni Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Development Council. She worked at a Dallas art museum and was a designer for Dallas fashion manufacturers. It was her ambition to combine art with her sociology degree to help uplift children to thrive through difficult situations, according to the release.

SMITH COUNTY — Wesley Hicks was sworn in to office Thursday to serve as Interim Smith County Precinct 5 Constable. “I am honored to serve in this position as Precinct 5 Constable and look forward to serving the citizens of Smith County in this new role,” Hicks said. Family, friends and co-workers attended the swearing-in ceremony, conducted by Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran in the Commissioners Courtroom. Hicks has 13 years of experience in law enforcement and 16 years as an emergency medical technician, emergency medical dispatcher and supervisor. Hicks has worked as Deputy Constable for Precinct 5 for three years. Before that, he worked from 2013-2019, for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, as a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant and then Lieutenant. Continue reading Interim Precinct 5 Constable sworn in

TYLER — Gov. Greg Abbott met with local business leaders in Tyler on Wednesday as a part of his reelection campaign and discussed how his efforts as governor have impacted the Texas economy. According to our news partner KETK, as a part of the roundtable discussion, Abbott addressed how local businesses are tackling supply chain challenges and providing jobs. Abbott also said Texas leads America in oil and gas production and that its production is being threatened by his opponent in the gubernatorial race, Beto O’Rourke, with his support of the Green New Deal. “Beto’s solution would decrease oil and gas production,” Abbott said. Continue reading Gov. Abbott says he’s running for reelection to keep hard working jobs ‘alive and well’

TYLER — Officials say an assault on a Smith County sheriff’s deputy has led to a 95-year prison sentence for a 41-year-old repeat felon. According to a news release from the Smith County DA’s Office, on August 24, 2021, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a man wandering in the middle of State Hwy. 14 near County Road 310 pointing a gun at passing cars. Deputies arrived on scene and detained Christian Dewayne Smith while they investigated. Smith then assaulted one of the deputies by biting him on the wrist. A jury first found Smith guilty of assault on a public servant, then passed sentence after hearing evidence of Smith’s extensive criminal history — which includes 13 prior criminal convictions and multiple prison sentences. Smith was on parole for a 2016 felony drug conviction when he assaulted the deputy.

AUSTIN – The University of Texas System Board of Regents named 14 educators at UT institutions, including one from UT Tyler, among its 2022 Outstanding Teachers. Ashley Dalby, M.S., a lecturer in health and kinesiology at UT Tyler, is among the honorees. Recipients will each receive a medallion and a check for $25,000 in recognition of their contributions to student success and learning, according to a news release. They will be formally recognized by the Board of Regents at the upcoming board meeting in November.

TYLER – DPS reports a 19-year-old Tyler man was arrested Tuesday for intoxicated manslaughter and other charges in connection to a fatal wreck on Highway 110. According to our news partner KETK, a DPS report from the Sunday crash says Nicholas Agustin was driving south when he lost control of his Ford Crown Victoria, entered the northbound lanes, and collided with a Honda Civic. The passenger of the Civic, David Lewandowski, 51, of Hewitt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Agustin, who DPS said was not wearing a seatbelt, was taken to a local hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. The driver of the Civic was transported to a separate hospital with incapacitating injuries. Continue reading Teen arrested on multiple charges in fatal weekend wreck

GILMER – Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman (pictured) is now in charge of prosecution and charging decisions relating to the case of an East Texas judge. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Judge Dean Fowler, who presides over the 115th District Court in Upshur County, was charged with driving while intoxicated following an arrest in early September. Four days after his arrest, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd filed a motion asking to be recused from prosecution and charging decisions in the case. Judge Alfonso Charles agreed and assigned Putman the case. Continue reading Upshur County DA recuses himself from prosecuting district judge, tags Putman

TYLER – The East Texas State Fair is celebrating another successful year, including some record-breaking activity, after wrapping up Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, fair President John Sykes said despite families being impacted by inflation, the attractions still saw a bigger turnout than ever. “Our entries this year in all of our contests– in some areas, they even quadrupled the number of people participating in our Floral Cup, our horticulture, arts and crafts and even our livestock show,” explained Sykes. The Fair saw more than 250,000 visitors this year, which was about the same as last year. Continue reading East Texas State Fair celebrates another big year

LONGVIEW — Longview police say a Pine Tree High School student was apprehended Monday for allegedly making threats of violence toward the campus. According to our news partner KETK, a Longview police school resource officer responded to the threat around 1:25 Monday afternoon. Detectives got a “directive to apprehend” signed by a judge on the charge of exhibition, use, or threat of exhibition or use of firearms, regarding the threat towards students on campus, according to police. Officials said the student was apprehended off school grounds and taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. This is at least the fourth threat of violence reportedly made by a student to a Longview campus since the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Continue reading Pine Tree student apprehended for alleged threats

TYLER — Governor Abbott will host a roundtable and press conference with local business leaders in Tyler Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the conference will start at 2:00 and will have a Q&A at the conclusion of the discussion. The gathering will be held at Preferred On-Site Fleet Services of Texas, 9965 State Hwy 31 E, Tyler. Abbott’s challenger, Beto O’ Rourke was at Stephen F. Austin State University Tuesday to speak to students about his future plans if he wins the race. As the election date approaches, many voters say they are worried about record migration on the Texas-Mexico border and are looking for solutions from both candidates. The latest poll shows Gov. Abbott with a seven-point lead over O’Rourke with 53%. O’Rourke currently sits at 46%. Election day is Nov. 8 and the last day to register to vote is Oct. 11.

LONGVIEW — Police arrested a suspect Tuesday wanted in connection to a Nacogdoches homicide investigation, according to our news partner KETK. James Edward Harris, 60, was arrested in Longview and will be taken to the Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Center. Officials said the suspect was the victim’s boyfriend. Police were called to a residence on Elizabeth Street Oct. 3 “in reference to callers advising a family member was found deceased in the residence.” Officers said they arrived at the scene to find Rose Catherine Garner, 60, from Nacogdoches, dead from injuries believed to have been caused by a stab wound. The Justice of the Peace ordered an autopsy.