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Update – Gabrielle Erin Toon of Tyler, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to physically assaulting a disabled minor.

SMITH COUNTY — A 27-year-old Tyler nurse has pleaded guilty four months after a video surfaced of her physically assaulting a disabled minor. According to our news partner KETK, Gabrielle Erin Toon pleaded guilty on Oct. 30 to a third-degree charge of injury to a child following her July arrest, her defense team confirmed. While the state offered a straight probation sentence, the defense requested deferred adjudication. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.

Toon’s case first came to light after the child’s grandparents reported to the Tyler Police Department that Toon, a live-in nurse, had been seen on video smacking and aggressively pushing their granddaughter while responsible for her care during evening hours.

According to court records, the child is immobile, non-verbal, dependent on nighttime oxygen, has a chronic lung disease and had a kidney transplant. The video, captured on July 1, shows Toon slapping the child multiple times and pushing her head onto a pillow while demanding she go to sleep. Continue reading Former nurse gets five years in prison for child assault

LUFKIN — According to our news partner KETK, a Lufkin man accused of shooting at police during a 2024 standoff has been found not guilty of aggravated assault.

Jason Penick, 47, was arrested in June 2024 after a disturbance call in the 700 block of Clark Avenue escalated into an hours-long standoff involving the Lufkin Police Department, its SWAT team, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. At the time, police said Penick had fired at responding officers before barricading himself inside the home.

According to the Angelina County District Clerk’s Office, Penick’s trial in the 159th District Court began Tuesday and concluded Wednesday, when the jury returned a not guilty verdict. Penick’s district attorney confirmed that court testimony revealed no witnesses – including other officers – saw anyone fire a weapon during the incident but did report hearing what sounded like gunfire. Investigators later recovered a gun from the scene but found no shell casings or bullet holes.

Penick told investigators the sound the officers heard was caused by a dresser falling.

UPDATE: A $1.3 million bond has been set for Bobby Dennis, the suspect accused of shooting a Jacksonville police officer and a K-9.

JACKSONVILLE — The man accused of shooting a Jacksonville police officer and a K-9 has been arrested after a four-day manhunt, according to our news partner KETK.

At around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, multiple agencies assisted the Jacksonville Police Department in serving a search warrant at a property on County Road 3509, west of the Jacksonville city limits, to arrest Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, of Jacksonville. According to officials, Dennis was found in a wooded area near the property and surrendered to law enforcement without incident.

The four-day manhunt was initiated after Dennis allegedly shot a Jacksonville police officer and a K9 on Sunday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. after the officer approached Dennis outside of his home because she knew he was wanted on two warrants for obstruction and retaliation. Continue reading Bond set for suspect accused of shooting Jacksonville officer

Update: KTBB contacted the Tyler DPS office and they said that I-20 was open between Lindale and Winona. This was because of several vehicle accidents Wednesday morning.

SMITH COUNTY — People driving eastbound on I-20 between Lindale and Winona can expect severe traffic delays after several wrecks were reported on Wednesday morning. Traffic can be observed on TxDOT cameras just before the intersection of I-20 and U.S. Highway 69, heading toward Shady Grove. Several accidents have been reported in that area, but the severity of the crashes has not yet been confirmed. Traffic has been diverted onto U.S. 69, DPS said, but has also caused some traffic delays. Drivers are asked to avoid the area as traffic is expected to last several hours.

SMITH COUNTY – A new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that will enable the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to receive reimbursement for immigration enforcement work was unanimously approved by the Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday.

An agreement that permitted trained officers to enforce limited immigration authority under federal supervision was previously approved by the court earlier this year. Sheriff Larry Smith said the new contract includes a reimbursement element for time and equipment used for ICE operations. According to Smith, ICE already has 32 trained officers who are capable of detaining individuals.

CENTER – Christopher Lemoine, 40, was booked into Shelby County Jail after being arrested Tuesday afternoon on an inappropriate relationship with an educator and student charge. He remains jailed on a $250,000 bond. The Center Police Department announced an investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) is making a major impact in the fight against hunger with a $500,000 donation to local food banks, responding to growing community needs during the ongoing government shutdown and the pause on SNAP funding. According to our news partner KETK, the contribution underscores BGC’s deep and enduring commitment to caring for its neighbors and strengthening the communities it serves.

“Our company was founded on the core value of serving others, and that mission remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of BGC. “We know many families are facing difficult times, and we’re honored to support the incredible food banks working tirelessly to provide relief and hope.” Continue reading Local grocery donates $500K to food banks

KILGORE — A former Kilgore ISD instructional aide has received 10 years of deferred adjudication after pleading guilty to having an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Kayla Nicole O’Dell of Gladewater pleaded guilty Tuesday morning of the misconduct charge. As part of her sentence, O’Dell faces a potential prison term of 2 to 20 years if she violates the terms of her probation. She was also ordered to pay $1,000 in court fees, and her teaching certificate has been permanently revoked.

According to Kilgore ISD, the district launched an internal investigation in early January 2025 after receiving allegations of possible educator misconduct involving O’Dell, who had worked as an instructional aide since August 2023. She resigned from her position on Jan. 7, 2025. O’Dell’s deferred adjudication means that, if she successfully completes her probation, she will avoid a formal conviction; however, any violation of its terms could result in imprisonment for up to 20 years. Additionally, O’Dell will not be forced to register as a sex offender.

On Tuesday, thousands of Texans hit the polls to voice their opinions on several propositions that could change the Texas Constitution forever.

Continue reading 2025 Election Day Central

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that a house fire east of the Swan community on Tuesday morning was caused by a chimney fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office was dispatched at 7:49 a.m. on November 4, to the 12300 block of County Road 495. “The fire spread into the attic of the residence from a chimney fire and was determined to be accidental. The residence was a total loss and there were no injuries,” Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. “It is recommended to have your homes chimney cleaned and inspected annually.”

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, a man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a child under 14-years-old in Tyler, Overton and Bossier City, La., according to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.

Overton Police Department Chief Bryan Pool led a multi-agency investigation that started on Feb. 12 after a child under the age of 14 reported that Cory Grant, 37, of Overton, had sexually assaulted her. The victim reported that Grant had sexually assaulted her four times over three weeks in January 2024, once in Bossier City, once in Tyler and twice in Overton. Through the cooperation of Overton Police Department, the FBI, Child Protective Services and the Tyler Police Department, investigators learned that Grant had been dating the victim’s mother since November of 2023.

A Smith County jury found Grant guilty of Aggravated Assault of a Child in the 114th District Court on Thursday. The jury then sentenced Grant to life in prison on Friday.

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.