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Update: An anonymous donor has added $10,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Bobby Michael Dennis, wanted for the shooting of a Jacksonville police officer. Cherokee County Crime Stoppers will increase that by at least $1,000, bringing the total offered for his apprehension to over $21,000, including Governor Abbott’s $10,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at 903-586-STOP (7867) or Jacksonville Police at 903-339-3356. Your identity can remain anonymous.

JACKSONVILLE — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that his office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of 64-year-old Bobby Michael Dennis, who allegedly shot a Jacksonville Police Department officer on Sunday and stabbed a K9.

Jacksonville ISD remains closed Tuesday due to the ongoing manhunt.

According to our news partner KETK, the encounter happened Sunday afternoon around 4:41 p.m on Benson Street, near Jerusalem Baptist Church. DPS issued a BLUE alert for Dennis, whose described as a Black man approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing about 152 pounds and was last seen wearing all-black clothing. He was also added to the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Continue reading 21K now offered for reward on officer shooting suspect

Update: Boil water notice rescinded Wednesday afternoon by the Rusk Rural Water Supply Company. Per their website.

RUSK — Rusk Rural Water Supply Company (RRWSC) has issued a boil water notice for parts of Rusk because of a leak in its main water line. According to our news partner KETK, the boil water notice means that all customers affected to boil their water before consuming by bringing water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes. Individuals may also purchase bottled water in lieu of boiling

The notice affects customers on the following roads: US HWY 84 E, CR 1201, CR 1202, CR 1204, CR 1214, CR 1215, CR 1301, CR 1302, CR 1303, CR 1316 and CR 1322. Rusk Rural Water Supply Company will issue a notice once the notice is no longer in effect. For more information on the boil water notice you may visit the RRWSC online.

TYLER – Officials are investigating a truck crash under the County Road 178 overpass on Toll 49 in Tyler on Monday evening. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters and first responders are at the scene where the truck is currently sitting rolled over against the overpass. Law enforcement is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — A Sulphur Springs man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to an assault that occurred in Wood County. According to our news partner KETK, 64-year-old James Curtis Sims was arrested in September that year of domestic violence. Wood County Sheriffs responded to the call made by the victim in Yantis. When investigators arrived, they found her with blood on her face and shirt, a bruised face and head and swelling under her eye. She said that Sims accused her of taking money from him and struck her “4 or 5 times” and threatening to kill her. The victim had left Sims residence and went to her parents home, for fear of being assaulted by him again.

On Oct. 31, James Sims pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury, family violence, with a previous conviction. Sims was sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and was also ordered to pay court costs. According to court records, Sims had four prior misdemeanor convictions for assaulting women in Hopkins County and had previously served time in prison.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County will have 29 polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday, November 4.

During two weeks of early voting, 10,596 in-person and mail-in ballots were received. That is only 6 percent of the registered voters in Smith County.

There are 17 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the ballot, as well as several city and school elections throughout Smith County. Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon is urging voters to do their research on the propositions before coming to the polls. Click here for that information.

The City of Whitehouse and the East Texas Municipal Utility District, as well as the Arp, Troup and Whitehouse Independent School Districts will all be holding special elections on November 4.

To find exactly what will be on your ballot where you live, you can use Smith County’s interactive map, click here.

Polling locations in Smith County on November 4 include: Continue reading Election Day information

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Police Department is searching for a man who allegedly shot one of their officers while they were on duty Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, a Jacksonville PD officer was shot during an encounter with 64-year-old Bobby Michael Dennis at around 4:41 p.m. on Sunday. Dennis is described as a Black man who was last seen wearing all black clothing.

The officer has been flown for treatment at a local hospital and is currently in stable condition, according to a press release. The Kilgore Police Department said that a Jacksonville PD K9 was also injured on Sunday and is currently in stable condition while being treated at a local emergency vet.

Jacksonville PD warned residents of Benson Memorial and the 1100 block of Churchill Street to stay inside with their doors locked because Dennis is armed with a rifle and considered dangerous. Continue reading Jacksonville police officer shot, suspect wanted

GILMER – The Gilmer Police Department has arrested eight people as a part of a Halloween weekend initiative they called “Operation BOO-ty Call”, according to our news partner KETK.

Gilmer PD said the operation was a proactive effort that resulted in the arrest of eight people for drug and prostitution-related offenses, along with the seizure of illegal drugs. The operation’s targets were partly selected based on community crime reports and Gilmer PD’s own investigations. “The department emphasizes that proactive initiatives like Operation BOO-ty Call are part of its ongoing commitment to reducing crime, fostering public trust and maintaining transparency with the community,” Gilmer PD said.

The following arrests were made as a part of “Operation BOO-ty Call”: Corey Liley, Justin White, Eric Smith, Corey Rhymes, Waymon Freeney and Juan Flores Soto were arrested for solicitation of prostitution. Mary Melugin was arrested for prostitution and Christopher Hilley was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of a dangerous drug. Continue reading Eight arrested in Halloween prostitution, drug operation

LINDALE – 1 person is in critical condition after they were injured in a rollover crash that happened on Interstate 20 near Lindale on Saturday night. The Lindale Fire Department said firefighters were sent to the scene of a one-vehicle rollover crash at around 11: 01 p.m. on Saturday near mile marker 555 on I-20 westbound.

When crews arrived at the scene they found one person who was critically injured and pinned inside a heavily damaged vehicle. Firefighters were able to remove the person and they were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Lindale Fire Department said the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

HARRISON COUNTY, Texas – Christopher Hunter Rosenthal, 31 of Tatum, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. The Harrison County Sheriffs Office and our news partner KETK reports that Rosenthal was first arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child and 11 counts of possession of child pornography on Feb. 5 of 2024. A reported video showed Rosenthal sexually assaulting children ages three, five and seven. Rosenthal was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.

GREGG COUNTY, Texas – Flags are being lowered to half-staff across Gregg County to honor Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Craig Sr. who passed away on Wednesday. Our news partners at KETK report that Craig Sr. served for decades both at his church as a pastor and in the community. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all Gregg County buildings and facilities until Nov. 16 to honor the life of Craig Sr.

HARRISON COUNTY, Texas – Harrison County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Pato found marijuana concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags during a traffic stop on Interstate 20 Wednesday. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office made the request for the K-9, and about six pounds of marijuana concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags were later found after a search. The driver of the vehicle was later arrested.

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY, Texas – Jasper County Game Warden Justin Charles Eddins was arrested on Tuesday for the charge of making a false statement to obtain credit in the provision of certain services. Our news partners at KETK report that Eddins allegedly made an intentionally false statement to Southside Bank using another person’s name and credit to try to obtain loans. The value of the amount of credit he was trying to gain “was $150,000 or more but less than $300,000.” Eddins was released after posting a $50,000 bond. He’s mostly known for appearing on the TV show Lone Star Law.