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MARSHALL — A statement was issued Tuesday by Marshall Chief of Police Cliff Carruth in response to recent violent crimes in the city. Among other things, police are currently investigating a shooting that caused minor injuries to a woman and two children who were not believed to have been targets. Carruth says, “The men and women of the Marshall Police Department are aware that our community is very concerned with the recent increase in violent crime in Marshall. We share that concern with you. We want everyone to know that we take these incidents seriously and are utilizing every tool at our disposal to identify and arrest those involved and bring an end to these violent crimes.” Continue reading Marshall police chief speaks out on local violence

MOUNT ENTERPRISE – A forest fire in Rusk County burned roughly 49 acres Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials called it the Hollow Rock Branch Fire, and it was contained around 7:30 p.m. Fire officials say a large plume of smoke was reported near Mount Enterprise around 2 p.m., and the fire was so far back in the woods they were not able to find it immediately. To find the fire, they used a drone. This is just one of dozens of fires that first responders have been battling in recent days. Nacogdoches and Rains counties are both under burn bans at this time. Despite rain in the forecast, officials urge people to be responsible and not burn until the risk decreases. The Rusk County fire marshal reminds residents that if they’re going to burn, to do it after there has been rain and look for moisture on the ground.

TYLER — Presidents and provosts of Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler signed an articulation agreement that allows TJC students to transfer to UT Tyler to complete baccalaureate degrees in multiple fields of study. According to a news release, those signing the agreement included TJC President Juan E. Mejia, UT Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun, TJC Provost Deana Sheppard and UT Tyler Provost Amir Mirmiran. The ceremony took place Monday at TJC’s main campus. The new partnership also establishes priority deadlines for admissions and scholarship notification by UT Tyler to TJC transferring students, and will help facilitate student services, scholarships and honors programs. Continue reading TJC, UT Tyler sign articulation agreement for multiple fields of study

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer man was sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary of a habitation and criminal mischief for disrupting power at an Upshur Rural substation by stealing copper wire. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Robertson, 35, was sentenced to 50 years with an additional 10 years due to his prior criminal history. In September of 2021, Robertson was arrested for damage done to an Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative substation. Deputies responded to a reported fire at the Upshur Rural Electric substation on Bluebird Road. When authorities arrived, they found copper ground wire cut and two regulators burned with smoke still coming from them. The release stated that cigarettes and other items left behind aided officers in identifying Robertson as a suspect. Continue reading Gilmer man sentenced to prison for copper wire theft

RUSK — More information is released in a two-day kidnapping-and hostage case in Cherokee County. Officials say it began Thursday night when authorities got a call about a possible kidnapping. Cherokee County SWAT responded to an address near CR 2108 in the Oakland community. Officials say 44-year-old Scott Coe of Whitehouse refused to leave the residence. He also refused to allow his victim, 27-year-old Christin Robertson of Jacksonville, to leave. Authorities say they determined Coe had kidnapped his victim by force and made numerous threats to kill her and law enforcement while barricaded in the home. Continue reading Probe of hostage situation continues

LONGVIEW — The Longview Parks and Recreation Department office at 130 E. Timpson St. reopened Monday on regular schedule. The facility had closed this past Friday due to a power outage. Recreation centers have remained on regular schedule, and Parks and Recreation programming has continued as previously scheduled.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance will have an overlay crew on FM 2089 with traffic controlled by flaggers and a pilot vehicle. Herbicide and ditch maintenance crews will also be in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will be on FM 2751 for leveling work. FM 2751 will be closed to traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall are seeking clues in a Sunday night shooting incident. According to a news release, off-duty officers working security at Marshall Convention Center shortly after 8 p.m. heard shots that had been reported to emergency communications. The shots reportedly were fired in the area of South Garrett and Woodland Rd. The officers went out to Bell St. and saw a fast-moving red Dodge Charger approaching, riddled with bullet holes. A woman and two small children in he car were shepherded to safety in the convention center, and the three suffered only minor injuries from broken glass. The victims are not believed to have been the intended targets. Continue reading Marshall police seek leads in shooting

TYLER — One week into early giving, East Texas Giving Day has generated over $50,000 in donations for participating nonprofits through its website. Officially slated for Tuesday, April 26, from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, East Texas Giving Day is on target to be another record-breaking event, according to a news release. The purpose of an area-wide Giving Day is to bring the region together on one day and as one community, raising money and awareness for East Texas nonprofits, according to the release. The initiative, organized by East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF), provides citizens across ETCF’s 32-county service area what’s termed an easy platform to support the mission of local nonprofits. To learn more or make your own donation, visit this link.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office announced late Saturday evening that a day-long standoff with a man and a hostage came to an end. According to our new partner KETK, authorities confirmed that the victim is safe and the captor is dead. Cherokee Country Sheriff’s officers and the Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation in the case.

TYLER — Contractors are doing cured-in-place pipe work on a sewer line located on Donnybrook Avenue in Rose Rudman Park between Loop 323 and Shiloh Road in Tyler. Portions of the sewer line are being cleaned and lined with a plastic liner preventing future cracks or breaks, according to officials. The work is due to continue through April 22. Motorists and parkgoers can expect to see contractors digging up and working on pipes, trucks, and pumps in the area. All are reminded to use caution in the area. Officials say no sewage is being released into the creek or park. The wastewater is pumped past the portion of the pipe that is being lined and curing.

TYLER — Mayor Don Warren, Tyler Sister Cities organization Treasurer Indre Pemberton, and President Brent Pemberton presented a $29,000 check to Jelenia Góra, Poland on Friday. The Polish city is assisting Ukrainians by providing essential needs and housing to the people who have fled Ukraine and are now living in Jelenia Góra, according to a news release. The funds will be wired to Jelenia Góra next week. Jelenia Góra is assisting their sister cities in Ukraine, as well as providing aid and sheltering about 2,400 refugees. 600 refugees are hosted by the city, while another 1,800 refugees are hosted by Jelenia Góra residents in their homes, according to the release. Continue reading Community raises $29,000 for Jelenia Góra, Poland to aid Ukrainian refugees

TYLER — Smith County Friday offered an update on its road projects. Officials say reconstruction of County Road 442, northwest of Lindale, has been completed. Paid for with Smith County Bond funding, the Commissioners Court this week accepted the completion of the contract, which came in under budget by $27,926. The project included widening, stabilizing and asphalt overlay to 5.4 miles of road. The $1.089 million Project began in December 2021. For more information on county road projects, Click here.

PALESTINE – An East Texas man who was arrested after an hours-long standoff in Frankston last December has been indicted on murder and kidnapping charges. According to our news partner KETK, on December 9, Anderson County deputies were called to a home on CR 309 at 1:30 a.m. after hearing several gunshots. When they arrived, a man’s body was found on the front porch with multiple gunshot wounds. He was identified as 38-year-old Marco Matthew Gonzales. 38-year-old Robert Mason Eckert was still inside and allegedly holding other people against their will. Officers were able to negotiate with Eckert until everyone was released from the home. He is being held in the Anderson County Jail on one murder charge, two kidnapping allegations, and one count of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm.

TYLER — With continued low COVID numbers in the area, NET Health’s George Roberts doesn’t see any serious issues on the horizon — but he reminds you of the continued prevalence of one particular variant. He points out that BA.2 currently makes up roughly 72 per cent of coronavirus cases nationwide and says the variant is apparently what’s “causing any type of COVID right now.” Roberts tells us local health officials continue keeping their eye on BA.2. According to Roberts, “There may be pockets of outbreaks that happen periodically…but as of this moment…we’re cautiously optimistic that we have…a low trend going right now.” Roberts continues to say vaccinations are the most effective way to fend off the virus. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.