Airdate: 03/20/22
Guests: Jackie Clay and Doug McSwane, Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team
Airdate: 03/20/22
Guests: Jackie Clay and Doug McSwane, Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team
EAST TEXAS – With wildfires raging across the western region of Texas, East Texas first responders have stepped in to help contain the massive blaze, along with other East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters from Smith County, Longview, Lufkin, and Nacogdoches all joined in as part of the statewide effort. Upon their arrival, they were separated into teams and sent on different missions. One was immediately sent to work on the Walling fire, a 384-acre blaze in Eastland County. “We have freeze cured, or dormant, grasses that are readily able to ignite and burn. You add the wind component to that and it is definitely a recipe for disaster,†says Cory Clanton with Smith County Emergency Services District 2 (ESD 2). Continue reading East Texans assist with West Texas wildfires
TYLER/OVERTON – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler held a ceremony Friday marking its 85th anniversary. The medical center opened its doors a day early in 1937 to help treat injured teachers and students from the London School explosion in New London. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler officiated the event, and the hospital honored both those killed in the tragedy and the work the hospital has done over the past eight-plus decades. “God’s timing is perfect. He knew the hospital needed to be here, so it was here. Just like he knew we needed to open our new tower before COVID, and it opened. God’s timing has worked here for the past 85 years, and we’re so blessed to just be a part of that,†said hospital President Jason Proctor. According to our news partner KETK, hospital officials, Tyler Mayor Don Warren, and Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran were among those on hand. Continue reading Hospital marks 85th anniversary; school explosion victims remembered
TYLER – A teenager accused of accidentally shooting and killing his cousin last summer has been indicted in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, judicial records show Christopher Wansley, 18, of Jacksonville, was indicted for manslaughter on Feb. 17. Tyler police said around 11:45 p.m. July 3, they were called to an apartment at The Arbors on Chimney Rock in south Tyler on reports of gunshots. Officer Andy Erbaugh said Wansley, then 17, and two other teens were playing with a gun. Wansley shot his 17-year-old cousin Davontrious Henderson in the chest after handling the gun “recklessly,†according to Erbaugh. Henderson later died in a hospital. Wansley was released July 4 after posting a $250,000 bond.
TYLER – A patient of one of the dentists killed during a Smith County dental clinic shooting Wednesday remembers how special he was to her family. According to our news partner KETK, Jamie Jackson was a patient of Dr. Blake Sinclair for more than 20 years. “He took such good care of you mentally and physically,†said Jackson. He called people after every procedure and would ask ‘what’s your pain level?’ What can I do?’†Jackson said when she heard the news that there had been a shooting at the clinic in Tyler, she knew it had to be him. “The only reason I knew that is because, if there was anything he could have done to protect the people in that building, he would’ve gotten in between them,†said Jackson. Continue reading Patient remembers dentist killed in shooting
TYLER — The Animal Legal Defense Fund is suing the National Foundation for Rescued Animals, operating in East Texas as Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act, according to our news partner KETK. Along with the organization, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is also suing the founder and former director, Brian Werner Ferris, and his daughter, chairman and executive director, Emily Owen. ALDF alleges that Tiger Creek violated the ESA’s “take†and “transfer†provisions by harming, harassing and killing numerous animals including nine lions and tigers that have allegedly died there since 2018. Continue reading Tiger Creek Sanctuary sued for allegedly violating Endangered Species Act
LONGVIEW – A Longview police officer reportedly crashed a patrol vehicle on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department says the police vehicle failed to yield the right of way to a 2016 BMW at the intersection of South High Street and Avalon Avenue around 4:25 p.m. “While we regret the property damage incurred as a result of the crash, we are thankful there were no significant injuries sustained as a result of the crash,†LPD said in a Facebook post. The police vehicle was a 2020 Chevy Tahoe, officials reported. LPD said the investigation is ongoing and they did not immediately release the identity of anyone involved in the crash.
TYLER — The numbers continue to look much better on the latest NET Health COVID-19 dashboard. But NET Health’s George Roberts says officials continue to keep a close eye on BA-2, a newer variant that’s been gaining some traction. Roberts says BA-2 now makes up an estimated 26 per cent of cases nationwide. So far, he says, it doesn’t appear to be a serious threat, but that you never know — and he continues to urge vaccinations. Overall, Roberts says officials are watching total cases and following information from the CDC and the state of Texas regarding “the variants that are out there.” For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.
MARSHALL — A Jefferson man has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison. Beau Daniel Merryman, 21, pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2021, to distributing information relating to explosives and destructive devices. According to court information, Merryman engaged in a series of online conversations with undercover FBI employees between September and October 2019. Merryman gave detailed instructions on how to make several types of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), such as pipe bombs and pressure-cooker bombs. Continue reading Man sentenced to federal prison for distributing bomb-making instructions
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says two doctors shot at a dental clinic on Wednesday have died. They were identified as Dr. Blake G. Sinclair, 59, and Dr. Jack E. Burroughs,75, both of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Steven Alexander Smith, 40, of Tyler, was booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and capital murder of multiple persons. His bond was set at $3 million. Smith was said to be a patient at the clinic. The Sheriff’s Office received a call around 2:45 p.m. about a shooting at Affordable Dentures and Implants on 3081 Hwy 31 East. When deputies arrived they saw two men had gunshot wounds. According to an investigation, Smith got angry at clinic staff and went to his pickup truck. Continue reading Two doctors killed, suspect arrested following dental clinic shooting
LONGVIEW — Longview police report a vehicle was stolen around 4:51 p.m. Wednesday on East Cotton Street near the Skelly Street intersection. According to our news partner KETK, police say a woman told them a tall Black male approached her with a gun and demanded her vehicle as she was leaving her job. The woman gave her vehicle to the man and he went towards South Eastman Road, according police. The vehicle is a blue Toyota Sienna minivan with Texas license plate FJB1156. It has a cracked windshield on the passenger’s side, and police say the driver’s side rear quarter panel is completely dented in. The alleged thief reportedly had dreadlocks past his ears and was reportedly wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans. If you happen to see this vehicle, do not approach the vehicle or the suspect, but call the police at 911 or 903-237-1170.
TYLER — Women in Tyler, Inc., held its annual luncheon Thursday honoring women credited with contributing to the quality of life in the community. For 22 years, the Women in Tyler Committee has planned a luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. After each luncheon, part of the proceeds are given to the Women’s Fund of Smith County and other nonprofits that have made a significant impact in the community, according to a news release. The committee gave the first $25,000 to help start the Women’s Fund, which has given $2.3 million to nonprofits in the East Texas Area. Continue reading Women in Tyler recognizes 2022 honorees
LONGVIEW — On Friday, March 18, Page Road, between Delia Drive and Lois Lane, will be closed to through traffic for the day. In the afternoon, Page Road will be re-opened to one lane of traffic eastbound. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes. The project consists of street improvements for the new Hallsville Elementary School. The lane closure is anticipated to last months. The project is being constructed by W R Welborn & Son, Inc. of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction, call the city’s project manager, Zack Shaner, at 903-237-1321.
TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is informing motorists to be aware of one more nightly ramp closure for maintenance on Toll 49 this week. The FM 756 eastbound and westbound ramps will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday. Motorists can stay updated on closures and road conditions by visiting this link.
TYLER — Detective John Ragland with the Tyler Police Department is retiring after 31 years of service with the department. According to our news partner KETK, Detective Ragland started his career at the Tyler Police Department in February 1991. He worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, honor guard member, district investigator, crime victim’s liaison, crimes against persons detective and was on the sexual assault response team. Ragland was also a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force, polygraph examiner, wellness coordinator and was a member of the CALEA accreditation team. Continue reading Tyler PD detective retires after 31 years of service