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TYLER– A Tyler man was sentenced Wednesday to federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking violations. Juan Espinoza, Jr., 27, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of family violence and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. According to information presented in court, on Feb. 16, 2022, a federal search warrant was executed at Espinoza’s Tyler residence, during which officers discovered approximately 4,600 grams of marijuana, 476 grams of Psilocybin, five semi-automatic pistols, a semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and $12,145.00 in cash. Espinoza was convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in Smith County in 2016 and prohibited by federal law of possessing firearms or ammunition.

TYLER — Tyler Police continue to search for Harley Morris, 29, and are asking residents and businesses north of Gentry Parkway to North Loop 323 to check cameras or doorbell cameras from Jan. 21 between 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. and report to them if you see anyone walking. According to our news partner KETK, officials are also asking that people check their residence or business for items Morris was wearing when he went missing: a Prime 102 cap, black shoes and a black/grey hoodie. He was last seen on Jan. 21 at 3 a.m. walking north in the 2100 block of North Grand Avenue after leaving the 50 Grand Club alone. Morris is described as 6’3, 160 pounds with blond hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833. Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information on Morris’ location.

NACOGDOCHES — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the campaign manager for Gov. Greg Abbott has sent a cease and desist notice to Texas House Rep. Travis Clardy, saying he is falsely claiming the governor has endorsed him for re-election. Clardy currently represents in District 11 including Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine and Shelby counties. Abbott endorsed Clardy’s opponent, Joanne Shofner, in December, stating she is the new conservative voice needed in Austin to help secure key republican victories.

According to Clardy’s website, Abbott released the statement in Dec. 2020. Clardy has held the position for 11 years and has been in several committee assignments including House Higher Education Committee and International Relations and Economic Development Committee. “It is unfortunate that you would misrepresent Governor Abbott’s position on your race on your website, which serves only to confuse voters about who is the actual conservative candidate in the race. Which begs to question, what other matters have you tried to confuse voters on,” said in the letter. Continue reading Abbott sends cease and desist to local representative

GLADEWATER – Gladewater ISD will be closed Thursday and Friday due to “dramatic increases in flu cases for both students and staff.” According to our news partner KETK, officials from the district said the closure would allow deep cleaning of the all campuses and offices.

“The health and safety of students and employees is our top priority,” according to Gladewater ISD. “Thank you for your understanding and partnership with us as we take the necessary steps to protect our school community.”

District officials said that classes will resume Monday.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Jill Dutton won the runoff election for Texas House District 2 on Tuesday, according to unofficial results. According to our news partner KETK, the runoff election was a rematch between republicans Jill Dutton and Brent Money, who went head to head for the seat last November. In that election, Money came out with 31.7% of the vote and Dutton had 25.3% of the vote. In the Jan. 30 runoff, Dutton received a slight majority obtaining 50.4% of the vote, while Money got 49.6% of the vote. They were vying for the seat of former Rep. Bryan Slaton, who was expelled from the House after an internal investigation found evidence of sexual misconduct with an aide. Dutton received endorsements from former Gov. Rick Perry and local representatives like Lane Gooden, Jay Dean and Cody Harris, while Money received endorsements from political heavy hitters, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. Ted Cruz. Continue reading Jill Dutton wins House District 2 special run off

RUSK – Two people were taken to hospitals after a Tuesday morning crash involving a Rusk ISD school bus, according to our colleagues at KETK. According to DPS, troopers responded to the crash near the intersection of CR 2117 and CR 2116 around 7 a.m. involving a school bus and passenger. Officials said a preliminary report found the passenger car had failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign “and struck the school bus.” Authorities reported one passenger on the school bus was taken to a Jacksonville hospital for treatment and the driver of the passenger car was taken to a Tyler hospital.

LONGVIEW – Longview police said Tuesday they are looking for a missing 38-year-old man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is Xavier Dion Wilson. Wilson is 5’5″ and weighs about 120 pounds. He was seen last near the 1000 block of East Marshall Avenue. Police say they do not have a description of the what clothing Wilson was last seen wearing. Longview PD asks if you have information on the location of Xavier Wilson, contact them at 903-237-1170.

ANDERSON COUNTY – A 22-year-old woman has died and five other people have been injured in a crash Saturday in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that Mary Merlino of Mineola died at the scene. Her passengers, including a one-year-old child were taken to local hospitals. State Troopers initial reports say a vehicle was traveling south early Saturday evening on US 287 south of Elkhart. It rear-ended another vehicle, making it go into the northbound lane. There it collided head-on with 2007 Ford Taurus. The DPS investigation into the crash cause is continuing.

UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – An Upshur County explosion led to the discovery of a large indoor marijuana cultivation facility. According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and our news partners at KETK, a 911 call was made on Saturday at around 5:30 PM after a car was reported leaving the scene of an explosion at a high rate of speed. The respondents included the West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Gilmer Fire Department along with county sheriff’s deputies and Constable Tim Barnett. Continue reading Explosion leads to marijuana facility discovery

LONGVIEW – For the second time this month, a person from Longview strikes it rich. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who chose to stay anonymous, won a $2 million dollar Mega Millions prize Jan.2. They purchased their winning numbers at Murphy Express on E. Loop 281. Another Longview winner won $3 million with a scratch-off on Jan. 24 at the Fuel Depo Corner Mart on Gilmer Rd.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due Wednesday, January 31, and he is urging people to pay online. According to a news release, payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement, which will take you directly to the payment page on your account. Barber said for those who want to pay in-person at the Tax Office, expect long lines and wait times. The Tax Office mailed out 213,369 property tax statements in November, and Wednesday, January 31, 2024, is the deadline to pay them. Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail (it must be postmarked on or before January 31, to be accepted as an on-time payment through the mail). If you have not received a property tax statement, please call the Tax Office at 903-590-2920 or go online. Continue reading Smith County property taxes due Wednesday

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department said that Trenton Lee Staneart was found dead in a creek in the woods off of East Lacy Street just after 11 a.m. on Sunday. Detectives reportedly identified Staneart and Anderson County Precinct #3 Justice of the Peace James Todd ordered an autopsy after responding to the scene. Our news partner KETK spoke with Staneart’s girlfriend, Kylie Carroll and she said he was a great father to their children. “He is a really great dad to those kids, and I know that that’s the whole reason we’re out here doing this,” said Carroll. “My kids miss him, too, and they’re too little to know what’s going on.” Carroll said that that it was unlike Staneart to not call her or her know where he was. Continue reading Missing Palestine man found dead

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left a juvenile in critical condition. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, officers were called to a shooting on South Palmer Avenue around 10:00, where they found a juvenile male with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began medical treatment until EMS arrived and transported the victim to a hospital on Beckham. He is in critical condition at this time. Tyler PD officers, detectives and crime scene investigators are on scene. This is an ongoing investigation. Contact Tyler PD with any information: 903-531-1000.

JACKSONVILLE – According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) awarded $20.6 million to local parks and $735,590 of that has gone to three East Texas communities. In a release, TPWC said the grants are awarded to “to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.”

The Lincoln Park in Jacksonville was awarded a $150,000 grant. The Cherokee County park will undergo renovations, “project elements include a seven-foot-wide concrete trail, a playground, site amenities and exercise equipment with shade,” a TPWC press release said. The 10 acre park currently has a covered pavilion, basketball and tennis courts, restrooms and a playground, according to the City of Jacksonville. According to TPWC, local park grants are funded by sales tax on sporting goods. Continue reading East Texas parks awarded $700k in grants

UPSHUR COUNTY – Dalton Brewer has been located and is safe with his family. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone for their assistance. Additional details were not available.  (Previous story) – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Friday about Dalton Brewer, who has gone missing. According to the statement, Brewer is 26 and was last seen wearing blue jeans, boots, a black t-shirt with a white Polo logo and a zip-up black hoodie. The sheriff’s office said that Brewer lives in the Diana area.

TYLER – Sad news from our news partner KETK, after more than 20 years at KETK/FOX51 in Tyler, Neal Barton is stepping away from the anchor desk. Neal has experience being the driving force behind a newsroom and being the face of the organization, serving as both news director and anchor. For more than 20 years, the people of East Texas welcomed Neal into their homes with the good news and the bad, all delivered with his classic Piney Woods wit. Outside of the regular evening newscasts, Neal also worked to put together weekly episodes of East Texas In Focus, an hourlong program that deep dives into topics that matter. You could also see him speaking his mind on regular segments of Neal Barton’s Point of View, or even see him going live in your town–with a KETK microphone and a cowboy hat, of course– for Small Town Salute Live segments.

He created a holiday initiative, Neal’s Wheels, which regularly brings in bike donations for local children in need. Last year, thanks to the generosity of locals, Neal’s Wheels brought in a record-breaking 206 bikes, scooters and skateboards for kids in need.

TYLER – Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce officials say a homeless man set fire in a bathroom Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, 45-year-old David Alan Sickle was charged with arson. Tyler Deputy Fire Marshall Randy Lee said that Sickle entered the bathroom, stripped down to his underwear and began to bathe with paper towels from the sink. After Sickle was found out, he was asked to get dressed leave. Lee said as he left, Sickle set the bathroom on fire. He was arrested and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

TEXARKANA – Our news partners at KETK report that a man is dead after he was hit by a train early Friday morning in Texarkana. According to Texarkana PD, around 4:30 a.m. they responded to a call about a pedestrian reportedly being hit by a train on the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. tracks, just north of Richmond Road. Officials said a 47-year-old man from Texarkana was found dead at the scene and no foul play is suspected. “We’re still working to figure out exactly what happened and what he was doing on the train tracks at that time of the night,” officials said.

TYLER – Tyler Pounds Field Regional Airport Thursday was the site full-scale emergency response training exercise. According to our news partner KETK, the drill simulated a crash of a commercial aircraft and a bus. First responders from state and local agencies, airport personnel and more that forty actors from UT Tyler participated in the event. It’s been three years since the last training of this type at the Tyler airport.
Continue reading Tyler Pounds Field hosts emergency training drill

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department said they’re searching for a man who was last seen on Saturday Jan. 20. According to our news partner KETK, Trenton Lee Staneat was last seen leaving the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office around 4:45 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m., several people are reportedly gathering at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in Palestine to search for Staneart. The Palestine PD asks if you have information on the location of Trenton Staneat to call them at 903-729-2254.

POLK COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report that Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents along the Trinity River south of the Lake Livingston Dam on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall and heavy discharge from the dam could reportedly impact areas south of the dam including roadways into and out of residential areas, according to Polk County. According to the order, shelter is available at the Dunbar Gym at 1103 Dunbar Avenue in Livingston. To stay up to date on the Lake Livingston lake level and dam discharge rate visit the Trinity River Authority online.

TYLER — An Oncor crew has repaired a damaged power pole on South Broadway Avenue, near Amherst Street.  All northbound and southbound lanes have reopened.  The utility pole was damaged overnight after it was struck by a vehicle.

TYLER – Our news colleagues at KETK report a Tyler man was arrested on Wednesday for sexual assault of a child. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene on CR 326 West around 10:15 p.m. where it was reported a 7-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted. An investigation began and officials said deputies “were able to establish probable cause” against Eugenio Gonzalez-Hernandez, 18 of Tyler. Officials said a search warrant was issued for investigators to gather additional physical evidence, and an arrest warrant was issued for Gonzalez-Hernandez. He was booked into the Smith County Jail where his bond was set at $750,000.

TYLER – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport Thursday is holding a full-scale incident exercise from from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s purpose is to evaluate the preparedness of first responders and airport personnel in the event of an actual emergency. A press release from city officials said drones are prohibited during the time of the exercise