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PALESTINE – The City of Palestine Police Department said that two individuals were arrested following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of alleged drug paraphernalia. According to our news partner KETK on Sunday night around 10 p.m., Palestine PD reports that they made a traffic stop near for traffic violations on a vehicle that they had observed leaving a “known drug trafficking area.” Authorities had reasonable suspicion and detained and investigated the two individuals in the vehicle. They said the driver was identified as Sheila Brantley, 63 of Palestine, and the passenger provided an identity that officers determined to be false.

Officials said that after being asked to exit the vehicle, the passenger allegedly became uncooperative and resisted arrest, after being restrained and secured in a patrol vehicle she was identified as Janna Linderman, 49 of Palestine. Palestine PD said that as Brantley exited the vehicle, they noticed a metal pipe allegedly connected to drug use falling from her clothing, the pipe was later tested and tested positive for cocaine. Continue reading Two arrests in known drug trafficking area

TYLER– Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant announced on Tuesday a man has been arrested after breaking into their location on Gentry Parkway. “We want to thank our Tyler Police officers for responding right away and finding this guy,” the restaurant said. “Our most important priority is our employees and their safety, and they can now breathe a little knowing this guy is off the streets.” According to our news partner KETK, Tyler PD responded to the location around 6:30 a.m. where Timothy Gardner, 26 of Tyler, was arrested for burglary of a building.

In a post to social media, the restaurant said someone had broken into the location and “ransacked the place.” No employee was reported to be injured, according to the restaurant.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Jacksonville man died last Thursday after a crash on Highway 110, half a mile south of Ponta according to our news partners at KETK. A DPS preliminary crash report states that 38-year-old Mark McGowan was walking south on SH110 in the northbound lane around 10:04 p.m. when he was hit by a 2017 GMC pickup towing a trailer headed north. McGowan died at the scene, DPS said. The investigation is ongoing.

WINONA – According to our news partner KETK Winona Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Joseph Boehm died in a car crash on Saturday night. Boehm was 29-years-old and had been a member of Winona VFD since 2021. According to the department, Boehm had got his firefighter 1 and 2 certifications and in 2023, he was promoted to lieutenant. He was awarded Rookie of the year his first year of service, and firefighter of the year the last two years in a row. He leaves behind his loving wife, three children, extended family members.

Boehm’s funeral service will be held at Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Donations for his family’s funeral expenses can be sent to the funeral home in the care of Winona Volunteer Fire Department or to directly to the department via Cash App at $WinonaFireDepartment.

WINNSBORO – Winnsboro ISD and the Texas High School Bass Association report that a student died after passing out at the weigh-in Saturday for the Lake Bob Sandlin bass tournament. According to our news partner KETK, school officials said that Kale Robinson, a junior, passed out during the tournament weigh-in and was taken to an area hospital where he died later.

A statement from Winsboro ISD said, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden and tragic loss of one of our Winnsboro High School students. Our entire Winnsboro ISD family is devastated by this heartbreaking news. Tomorrow, we will have counselors and local area youth pastors available at the high school to provide support for our students and staff as we navigate through this difficult time together. Please know that we are here for you, and we will do everything we can to help you through this. As a community, we are mourning this loss, and we will come together not only as a school but as a community to support each other during this incredibly challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our beloved student. #WinnsboroStrong“

According to the THSBA, Robinson had fished with the association for three years and had caught his personal best on Saturday.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that an arrest has been made in connection to the shooting death of a 17-year-old Wednesday night in Maydelle. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Isiah Mallord of Jackonville was arrested for murder and is being held at a local hospital in stable condition before he is transported to the Cherokee County Jail. Authorities say that Wednesday night on CR 1804 in Maydelle, Mallord got into a fight with Jayden Polk, a Jacksonville High School student. That fight escalated into the shooting in which deputies found Polk dead. Mallord was taken to a hospital for treatment by private transport for his gunshot wound.

Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said “It’s a devastating event for our community. We’ve got a 17-year-old kid who is deceased over something stupid. It was a situation that didn’t have to happen and it turned deadly.”

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department said that they’ve arrested a 23-year-old woman following allegations of an “improper relationship between a teacher and a 16-year-old student” at a Marshall ISD school. According to our news partner KETK, Margaret Claire Burris of Marshall was arrested Saturday morning after a search warrant executed on a student’s cell phone revealed text messages and photos exchanged between Burris and the student were inappropriate, and at times explicit.

Marshall ISD superintendent Dr. Richard Langley, reportedly found out about the texting accusations Tuesday morning. The teacher accused was placed on immediate administrative leave. Following her arrest, Burris was charged with an improper relationship between educator and student. She is currently in Harrison County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

TYLER – The second person wanted for murder in Tyler has been arrested. According to our news partner KETK, a 16-year-old minor boy was arrested by law enforcement in Anderson County late Friday afternoon. He is currently in the Smith County Juvenile Detention Center. The teen was arrested in the death of 20-year-old Nathan Martin of Tyler. Martin was found on the shoulder of Highway 69 North near CR 489 Feb. 7 with an apparent fatal gunshot wound. Also arrested was 25-year-old Joshua Bryant of Unk. Bryant was arrested Feb. 8 for capital murder and was booked into the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.

LIVINGSTON — The Texas Department of Public Safety said that they’ve arrested one of the persons of interest involved in the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl last seen in Livingston on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal was reportedly arrested Friday on an unrelated aggravated assault charge. However, officials believe that McDougal’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham. Authorities say that while McDougal has been talking to investigators, he has not confessed to anything.

Audrii was last seen Thursday around 7 a.m. In Livingston on Lakeside Drive. She is described as being approximately 75 pounds, 4’11, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was reportedly last seen wearing a black hoodie with white lettering, camo backpack, black pants and black high top tennis shoes.
Continue reading Person of interest in missing Livingston girl arrested

MARSHALL – Marshall ISD said that they’ve placed a teacher on administrative leave after they were accused of “inappropriate text communication with a student.” According to our news partner KETK, Marshall ISD superintendent Dr. Richard Langley, reportedly found out about the texting accusations Tuesday morning. The teacher accused was placed on immediate administrative leave. The Marshall Police Department have opened an investigation and more information will be released when the investigation is complete.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said that Michael Caffey was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the murder of his father Timothy Caffey. Byrd said that Timothy Caffey, 66, had taken his son Michael off the street in order to help him but that Michael reportedly started using methamphetamines and demanded money from his father. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy was murdered at his home in the Latch community on March 26 of 2023. Byrd said Michael was arrested the next day in Liberty City while wearing clothes reportedly covered in his father’s blood. Byrd thanked the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigators Rob Bowen, Michael Barton and Linda Roberts, his investigator Jon Warren, citizens who provided information and the jury for bringing this case to a decision.

WHITE OAK – A White Oak man pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife and was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday. According to court records, James Michael Alexander Sr, 64 of White Oak, pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In July, officials reported finding the body of a deceased woman in the 100 block of Larkspur, who was identified as Kimberly Alexander, 61. Police later found James at a hotel room in Longview that he had leased, and he was taken into custody without incident.

GLADEWATER, Texas – In a wave that began in the 2022-23 school year, more east Texas school districts have transitioned to a four-day school week. A recent survey taken in the Gladewater ISD could see the district join the ever-growing list soon. According to our news partner KETK, 72% of parents, 78% of students, and 92% of employees voted in favor of the school week being shortened. But Superintendent Sedric Clark noticed that a second polling of parents actually saw a decrease in there approval. “It was in the 70’s the first time. This time, it was at 67%,” Clark said. The district is preparing to host several meetings where parents are able to voice their opinion.

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK the Longview Police Department is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of leaving the area after a shooting incident that left one injured on Monday. According to the release, officers responded to a shooting incident at around 9:28 p.m. and located a man with a gunshot wound. An investigation led to an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Diovanni Cisneros, of Longview, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Longview PD said they believe Cisneros has left Longview and efforts are underway to locate him. Gregg County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for the first, most accurate tip leading to his arrest. The investigation is still ongoing and police ask the public who know the whereabouts of Cisneros to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org for anonymous tips.

TYLER – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport announced that on Tuesday Feb. 20 they will be having an enrollment for TSA PreCheck. According to our news partner KETK, enrolling for PreCheck is easy. Just fill out an application, have a legal ID, proof of citizenship, a photo and fingerprints. Airport officials say the enrollment cost is $78 for a five-year membership.

TSA PreCheck provides low-risk travelers a much easier experience with airport security. PreCheck flyers reportedly do not need to remove their shoes, laptops from bags, belts or jackets as they make their way through security and have access to PreCheck screening lanes.

For those who what to enroll in TSA PreCheck, but not able to be at the Feb. 20 enrollment, you can do so at an enrollment center here.

TYLER – UT Health East Texas has announced on Thursday that they have acquired six urgent care clinics from across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, they are taking possession of QuickVisit Urgent Care clinics in Carthage, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore and Mabank, plus the Premier Health Urgent Care facility in Canton. UT Health East Texas’ urgent care clinics has service available such as COVID-19 tests, walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, and treatment for patients three months and older.

Donald Baker, regional president for UT Health East Texas said, “Expanding our urgent care options provides the region with more convenient access to our expert providers and care teams. More urgent care clinics are an important piece for us to build a better healthcare experience for all.”

ALTO – According to our news partner KETK, Alto ISD announced on Thursday that during a special meeting on Monday they started the process to fire Blake Attaway, a teacher and coach arrested for an alleged improper relationship with a student. The process to terminate Attaway’s employment has a legally set amount of time the district said they have to wait for to allow Attaway to request a hearing before they can finalize his termination. According to the district, Attaway has not been on their property since Feb. 6 and they have made the required reports to the State Board for Educator Certification. Continue reading Alto ISD looking to fire arrested coach, teacher

MAYDELLE – According to our news partner KETK a teenager is dead and a 20-year-old is injured after a shooting Wednesday night in the Maydelle area. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on CR 1804 where they found a 17-year-old with an apparent gunshot wound. The teen was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, and officials said that during the investigation it found that a second victim, a 20-year-old man, was taken to a local hospital by private car for treatment. Authorities said the 20-year-old is in critical condition, and the case is being actively investigated.

LONGVIEW – A 32-year-old man was found guilty by a jury on Thursday for murder in the 2022 death of his girlfriend. According to our news partner KETK, Adrian Grissom, 32 of Longview was initially arrested on Jan. 16, 2022 after he told police in an interview they had gotten into a fight which led to her death. According to documents, 23-year-old Cyan Winn had attempted to remove a gun from her purse and told Grissom to back up during the fight. Grissom allegedly told police he then “pushed Winn to the ground from a chair as she was pulling a handgun out.” According to documents, the two fought for the gun and Grissom got control of the gun before he said the handgun “discharged one time.” His trial began on Monday where Grissom was found guilty of first-degree murder.

TYLER — A suspended Tyler doctor has been accused of sexually assaulting four patients, including a child, and is being held in jail on $3,550,000 bond. Dr. Kenneth D. Haygood was suspended on Oct. 24 by the Texas Medical Board for reportedly violating a June 2023 order stating he could not see or treat female patients. The board said he continued to pose a threat to “public welfare.” On Tuesday, he was booked into the Smith County Jail on three counts of sexual assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He remains jailed on bonds totaling $3.55 million.

According to an arrest affidavit, the first incident happened in 2007 when a patient was under 10 years old. As an adult, the victim reported that they went to see Haygood to have their thyroid checked, but when their mother left the room, the patient said Haygood sexually assaulted them. The victim told investigators they waited to report the offense until news of Haygood’s suspension came out due to their anxiety. Continue reading Tyler doctor arrested for sexual assault

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff and President of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas Larry Smith held a press conference Wednesday with North Texas law enforcement. Smith moderated the event with Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn concerning the North Texas Criminal Interdiction Unit (NTXCIU). According to our news partner KETK, the press conference focused on the work NTXCIU has done in the past seven years in their mission to fight against illegal drugs in local Texas communities. Reportedly, Skinner formed the interdiction unit in 2017 but laws were changed to allow the North Texas Sheriffs to work together.

According to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, NTXCIUis a “multi-jurisdictional team of specially trained deputies whose mission is to detect, interdict and disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs, narcotics, contraband and human cargo on establish smuggling corridors on North Texas highways.” Continue reading Sheriff Smith holds press conference on NTXCIU

TYLER – The Tyler City Council approved Wednesday to enter into advanced funding agreements with the state to upgrade traffic signals in the city, that according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, the funding for the project is part of the Federal Highway Department Program. The city council said the total reimbursable cost for the project is approximately $2.7 million.
Continue reading Tyler approves traffic signal upgrades

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK one person has been arrested and another is wanted by Tyler authorities in the death of a 20-year-old man who was found lying near a roadway. Tyler police said they are asking for the public’s help in finding a second suspect, identified as 16-year-old Caleb Ward, of Whitehouse. Officials said he has a directive to apprehend for capital murder and should be considered armed and dangerous. Ward is from the Whitehouse area, but reportedly has been known to frequent Tyler. Anyone who knows his location is asked to contact Tyler PD at 903-531-1000.

Joshua Bryant, 25 of Unk, was arrested on Feb. 8 for capital murder and other charges before being booked into the Smith County Jail where his bond has been set at $1 million. Both were wanted for capital murder by authorities after a man, who was later identified as 20-year-old Nathan Martin, of Tyler, was found on the shoulder of Highway 69 North near CR 489 last week with an apparent gunshot wound. Continue reading Arrest and fugitive in Roadway murder

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK a woman was arrested in East Texas on Tuesday is being accused of staying overnight in a Walgreens, vandalizing the bathrooms and leaving with a backpack full of stolen merchandise the next morning. Employees at Walgreens Pharmacy were about to unlock the front door Tuesday when they noticed “a woman in a robe walking around inside the store” and called the police. When Texarkana Police Department officer Jonathan Price arrived, the woman reportedly walked out the front door and started down the sidewalk while wrapped in a blanket and carrying a backpack. Police reportedly found wine, cigarettes, markers, notebooks and chocolate from Walgreens in her backpack. Store employees reported that she used a Sharpie to write all over the bathroom stalls. Shimanek was charged with burglary of a building and booked into the bi-state jail. Continue reading Woman arrested after spending night in Walgreens

TYLER — Tyler Police have identified the victim in a February 7 homicide. According to authorities, Nathan Charles Martin, 20, of Tyler was found in the roadway on CR CR 489 with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. One suspect, Joshua Renae Bryant (pictured), 24, was booked into the Smith County Jail on numerous charges, including capital murder by terror threat, with bond set at $1,000,000. Tyler Police are asking for help in locating the second suspect, Caleb Austin Ward, 16, of Whitehouse. He’s been known to frequent Tyler and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.