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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.

TYLER – A Winona high school student who allegedly threatened a school shooting has been indicted by a Smith County grand jury. 17-year-old Tyler Tate was arrested in December on a charge of a terroristic threat after the FBI National Threat Operations Center received a tip about a possible shooting threat in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Tate was arrested after a joint operation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Tyler division. He is still being held in the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond. Continue reading Winona student indicted for alleged school shooting threat

MARSHALL – An East Texas toddler died on Thursday after an apparent accidental drowning, according to Harrison County Sheriff Brandon Fletcher. At 4:45 p.m., deputies were called to a home on Underwood Road in Marshall after a 17-month-old girl was found unresponsive. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff says the child was found “floating in a pond on an adjacent property and had exited the residence without the guardian’s knowledge.” The child was rushed to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Fletcher says the initial investigation has shown it appears to be an accident. The identity of the victim was being withheld pending notification of extended family members.

LONGVIEW — Effective as of 11:20 a.m. Friday, April 8, the boil water notice in Longview is lifted. Water samples conducted Thursday, April 7, were determined by a third-party laboratory to be negative for coliform and therefore safe for consumption, according to a news release. The city issued the boil notice due to a drop in pressure throughout the system following a 30-inch water main break late Tuesday. The city is continuing to flush the water system. If you experience any discoloration in your water, you’re asked to run the system for a time to allow the water to circulate. You can go to this link, then navigate as needed to get the latest information and further details.