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TYLER – The Tyler Area Senior Citizen Association (TASCA), a nonprofit organization started 30 years ago to help seniors enjoy their retirement, is celebrating its 30th anniversary during September with special speakers and activities. According to a news release, all seniors are invited to come visit TASCA facilities and see firsthand the variety of activities available: assorted games such as bridge, mahjongg, or 42, country western dances, bingo, speakers of interest, and special events all designed to make it possible for seniors to remain engaged in the community. Continue reading Tyler Area Senior Citizen Association celebrates 30 years

HARRISON COUNTY — A Louisiana man was arrested in East Texas Monday night for multiple charges after a pursuit. According to our news partner KETK, a deputy initiated a traffic stop, when the driver of the car, who was identified as Willie Johnson, “decided he did not want to stop.” Johnson attempted to evade the deputy starting a pursuit, according to officials, until he lost control of the car. After losing control, Johnson was taken into custody. He was arrested for evading arrest with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a firearm, failure to identify by giving false information, no drivers license and possession of marijuana.

MARSHALL – A man was arrested on Monday in connection to a Harrison County homicide. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Edward Reddock, 31, of Avinger was found dead on the side of Hershel McCoy Road on Saturday Sept. 10, said the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. A vehicle connected to this case was also set on fire the same day. Canton Echols, 33, of Harleton was taken into custody by law enforcement, and he has been cooperating with them, said authorities. Reddock appears to have been stabbed several times, said the sheriff’s office. His body was identified through his tattoos initially because he did not have an identification on him. Echols was charged with first-degree murder and law enforcement secured two search warrants in this case. Continue reading Man arrested in connection to Harrison County homicide

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A suspected murder-suicide is reported in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a welfare concern call Sept. 5 at a residence in the Whitton community. A couple was found dead at the scene. According to a press release, a man at the residence sent a text message to a friend that appeared concerning, prompting the friend to contact the sheriff’s office. Constable Precinct 2 Heath Burton was the first officer to arrive at the location. According to Burton, he located a dead male and female on the back porch of the residence. Burton reported the female suffered gunshot wounds and the male suffered a single gunshot wound. Continue reading Authorities probe suspected murder/suicide

TYLER – A Flint man has been indicted for a Tyler Memorial Day murder. According to our news partner KETK, 29-year-old Christopher Henry was arrested June 3, charged with the murder of Austin Lee Deweerdt, and indicted Aug. 18. Deweerdt was fatally shot after an altercation with Henry in his own driveway, police said. During the altercation, the two men reportedly wrestled on the ground and Deweerdt’s girlfriend and mother of his child broke them apart, according to an affidavit. The two stood up and Henry pointed and fired his gun multiple times at Deweerdt, which put him on the ground almost immediately, the affidavit stated.

TYLER – A trial date has been set for a Tyler man who was indicted after his four-year-old stepson suffered third-degree burns. According to our news partner KETK, Joshua Tranair Meekings, 26, was indicted Aug. 11 for first-degree felony injury to a child, and a jury trial for his case has been set for Nov. 14. According to an affidavit, Meekings originally told hospital staff at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where the child was airlifted to for their injuries, that the child had bumped into a stove and knocked over a boiling pot of water. However, a CPS worker assigned to the case claimed the burn injuries were not consistent with Meekings story, and told the Smith County Sheriff’s Office the burns were more likely from “the child being dipped in boiling water.” Continue reading Trial set for Tyler man accused of dipping child in boiling water

ATHENS – An Athens man was arrested last week and is accused of breaking into a woman’s home, exposing himself, and chasing down another woman as she walked and physically assaulting her, according to documents. Our news partner KETK reports the cases date to late August. Andrew David Barlow is charged with indecent assault, burglary of habitation, with intent to commit other felony, and indecent exposure. Barlow is currently free on $60,000 bond.

RUSK COUNTY — The DPS reports four people have died and three have been seriously injured in a pre-dawn Sunday crash in Rusk County. According to Sergeant Gregg Williams, preliminary investigation indicates a Dodge Ram was traveling northbound in the southbound lane of U.S. 259 about nine miles north of Henderson, resulting in a head-on collision with a Chevrolet Silverado. The deceased in the Dodge were named as Kilgore residents Moises Rocha-Vanegas and Rosa Rodriguez, both 35. The two deceased occupants in the Silverado were Jesse Mueller, 29, of Henderson, and a male juvenile. Three unidentified boys in the Chevrolet suffered what were termed incapacitating injuries, including one whose injuries were deemed life-threatening. Williams says the crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be performing mill and inlay on Spur 248, starting near Old Omen Rd. on Monday and Tuesday and moving towards Loop 323 the remainder of the week. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will be working on a drainage structure on FM 2207. A portion of the road will be partially closed from E. Wilkins Rd. to FM 1252. Expect delays and flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for a more detailed rundown of roadwork around the district.

KILGORE — Two women were arrested by Kilgore Police on Sunday night after they said the women shoplifted a store and ran over an employee’s foot during their escape. According to our news partner KETK, the women were also found to be in possession of over seven grams of meth. Police said “it’s becoming more common to find loaded syringes in the possession of meth addicts.” Field testing on the confiscated meth found the presence of fentanyl, according to officials. Continue reading Two women arrested after driving over employee following Kilgore robbery

TROUP — The Troup Independent School District is asking the community to wear blue on Monday, Sept 12 in support of Cooper Reid. Reid suffered a head injury during the school’s homecoming game on Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, community held a prayer vigil for Cooper Reid on Saturday night, a varsity football player who was injured Friday night in their football game. Community members shared that Cooper is in stable condition and the doctors are saying it’s looking better after CAT scans and they’re trying to relieve pressure from his brain. Troup ISD along with community members say they’re grateful for all of East Texas support during this difficult time. They asked for continued prayers for Cooper’s healing.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Stryker Lake Water Supply Corporation met on Friday, but customers were still left without solutions to their ongoing water quality issues. After several months of boil water notices, customers said they feel ignored. According to our news partner KETK, they are upset over these issues with undrinkable brown water coming through the Lake Stryker Water Supply. Customers said they are having to regularly flush their valves, and they have experienced too much chlorine being pumped in the water and causing burning to the skin. The request for a special election was left unaddressed Friday. Residents are hoping this would resolve the issues that the community is facing. The next scheduled board meeting will take place on Friday, Oct. 14.

GILMER – In a statement released Saturday, 60-year old Jerald Dean Fowler II, of Gilmer, was charged with DWI misdemeanor B following an accident Friday night. The statement reported that at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, Upshur County Deputies and DPS Troopers responded to a motor vehicle accident on Hwy 154, east of Gilmer. According to investigators, Judge Fowler was charged and booked into the Upshur County Jail. Judge Lyle Potter, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, arraigned Fowler and set a bond at $1500.00. Fowler, who serves as Judge of the 115 District Court, posted bond and was released from jail according to the official statement.

LONGVIEW —The Gregg County Fair kicked off Friday and will run thru next weekend. Here are some attractions you can expect: Petting zoo, Live entertainment, Food vendors and rides like the Ferris wheel and carousel. There are also some more thrilling rides like the Drop Zone. Billy Clay has been the fair manager for more than 40 years. “In 1980 I took over to run it and it took a couple years to get things straightened out and it was so much fun and so I’m still sitting here. I really can’t give it to nobody,” said Clay. Clay said the fairgrounds are about 20 acres, so there are plenty of areas to explore. The fair is open from 6 p.m. to midnight. September 17th will be the last day for the fair. Tickets are $6. For more information, check out the Gregg County Fair website – https://greggcountyfair.com/