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SMITH COUNTY — Michael Stoltz, Chairman of the East Texas State Fair Board, gave the Commissioners Court an estimated economic impact the nearly two-week event had on the area. For the second year at its new location, The Park of East Texas, the fair saw more than 104,000 people in attendance, making an estimated $28.8 million economic impact on Smith County.

He said $995,000 in sales tax revenue was generated, 88 percent of the food and restaurant vendors at the fair were East Texas businesses, and 550 hotel room nights were generated.

Its first-ever professional rodeo was sold out all three nights, for a total attendance of 7,500 people, and was broadcast live nationally on the Cowboy Channel. He said more than 400 athletes competed in the rodeo, for a purse of more than $40,000. Continue reading East Texas State Fair economic impact report

LONGVIEW — On Wednesday, the trial for one of the men charged in connection with the 2016 murder of Longview resident Ron Horaney has been set. According to our news partner KETK and court documents, the trial for 88-year-old Reza Kamali is scheduled for June 8, 2026. Kamali was arrested in 2024 and charged with murder eight years after the crime. His trial will be held at the 124th District Court.

Horaney was killed on the evening of Memorial Day in 2016, after answering the door of his Tryon Road residence in Longview. According to an arrest warrant, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) received a call of a reported shooting. The sheriff’s office located Horaney, who later died at a local hospital.

In 2024, court documents showed that investigators met with the initial “cooperating individual” who called the sheriff’s office on June 10, 2016, to do a photo lineup, where the individual identified Kamali as the person who solicited the individual to kill the victim. Kamali was one of three people arrested for the murder of Horaney; the other two were Alfredo Lizcano and Rene Garcia Jr. Both men were also charged with murder in connection to the case. Lizcano’s trial has been scheduled for May 11, 2026.

SMITH COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Smith County Animal Shelter will continue to care for the 44 dogs that were seized last month at a home in Troup after a ruling on Wednesday. A hearing was held where Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace James Meredith ruled for the shelter to keep custody of the dogs who were found malnourished with skin disorders, overgrown nails and possible gastrointestinal disorders.

The woman who lived on the property had died, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. Now, the woman’s daughter will have 10 days to appeal the decision, but will be required to pay $24,000 to reverse the appeal. Since the shelter has taken custody of the animals, a veterinarian has examined the rescued dogs. Continue reading Court ruling keeps dogs at Smith County animal shelter

LIVINGSTON — A bipartisan group of state representatives is currently visiting the Polunsky Unit in Livingston to show support for death row inmate Robert Roberson, just days before his scheduled execution.

According to our news partner KETK, those in attendance include State Reps. John Bucy (D-Austin), Jeff Leach (R-Allen), Lacey Hull (R-Houston) and Rhetta Bowers (D-Rowlett), all of whom have publicly expressed concerns about Roberson’s conviction and the evidence used against him. Roberson was convicted in 2003 of killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, a case that has since drawn national attention and renewed scrutiny from lawmakers, medical experts, and criminal justice reform advocates.

Jeff Leach brought some new information to light on behalf of the other representatives, stating that they are just asking for a pause button and a new tria,l considering that Roberson was denied the chance to defend his innocence in front of a jury

“To my legislative colleagues on the other side of this issue who want to see him executed next week, and believe that nothing went wrong with the trial. I would ask them to comment on the fact that Robert’s own attorney. When Robert asked to be heard, when Robert asked to go in front of the jury to tell his side of the story to tell them I’m innocent, his attorney wouldn’t let him.” Continue reading Lawmakers visit Roberson days before execution

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Edgewood ISD has released more information after a student reportedly made a threat against their district and Canton ISD.

According to our news partner KETK and Edgewood ISD, on Friday, administrators uncovered “troubling activity” on the internet at their high school that alerted them to investigate the students’ well-being.

“While the threat was unspecific, there were references to Canton High School, and enough specific evidence to lend itself to be treated with the utmost seriousness,” the district said. “At no time has there been a weapon on campus. The school’s part in this situation was solely online materials.

The district said that there was “sufficient evidence” to involve law enforcement, and the student was immediately removed from campus upon their findings. Continue reading Student removed after making threats against schools

CANTON — Our news partners at KETK report that an East Texas woman was indicted on Friday for allegedly withdrawing money from the Grand Saline Youth Foundation for personal use without authorization. The Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said Sheri Raylynn Roach, 47 of Grand Saline, the former treasurer for the nonprofit, is accused of withdrawing money from the Grand Saline Youth Foundation account without accounting to the foundation for the funds. The amount of misapplied funds is estimated to be between $2,500 and $30,000. Continue reading East Texas woman charged with misusing nonprofit funds

SMITH COUNTY – It’s been an eventful week for the Smith County Animal Shelter. Over the weekend, the Smith County Animal Shelter posted on Facebook that the shelter is ‘operating with a limited staff’. Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was also named acting supervisor. Now, Commissioner John Moore tells our news partner KETK, the shelter is presently reaching maximum capacity. The overflow is due to 44 malnourished dogs that were rescued from a residence in Troup and taken to the shelter.

CANTON – An investigation is underway after a student reportedly made a threat against Edgewood and Canton ISD. Tuesday afternoon, both districts said that they are aware of the threat and are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment. The threat is also being investigated by law enforcement. In a statement, Canton ISD said “[…] both districts are working closely together, in full cooperation with law enforcement, to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.” Due to the nature of the incident both districts stated that no further information will be given until further notice.

TYLER — Award winning actor Rob Lowe spoke to fans about his journey through a 40 year career in the television and film industries at University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Center on Tuesday night.  Lowe was accompanied by our news partner KETK’s  Kaci Koviak in their discussion about his career in Hollywood and current projects that have recently made it to television screens across the country.

While Lowe is widely known for his roles as Sodapop Curtis in the 1983 film The Outsiders and Chris Traeger in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, Lowe can now be seen in a new trivia game show titled The Floor. Continue reading Rob Lowe visits East Texas to discuss career

GLADEWATER – A woman has been pronounced dead in an officer-involved shooting near Gladewater.  The woman reportedly attempted to evade law enforcement on Monday night and rammed her vehicle into a patrol car. Authorities attempted to detain the 43-year-old woman at a restaurant located near the 1100 block of East Broadway. The victim has been identified as Amanda Allen.

While Allen attempted to flee, she rammed her vehicle into a Gregg County patrol car. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office later said this was the moment a sheriff’s deputy fired his weapon in defense of the other officers and deputies. The sheriff’s deputy who shot Allen was placed on administrative leave as part of the sheriff’s office’s policy.

The case has since been turned over to the Texas Rangers for an investigation.

TYLER – Carlton Hotel owners, NORF Companies, were given approval from the U.S. National Park Service to go through with the full removal of their parking garage. Our news partners at KETK report that the garage currently stands with only its southern wall demolished, which was prompted after multiple incidents. In late July, bricks falling from the wall prompted street closures and surveys from inspectors. The southern wall was demolished Aug. 15, allowing the reopening of the streets surrounding the building. NORF says it’s too early to announce a specific timeline.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) hosted their annual luncheon at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center where they celebrated 125 years of service to the Rose City, according to our news partner KETK. Chamber members were celebrated along with volunteers who dedicate their time towards helping out the community over the last year.

Those present witnessed a video presentation of highlights that occurred throughout the city in 2025 and an invocation from Elder of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Reverend Orenthia Mason.

A lot has been accomplished in the last 125 years and TACC Chief Operating Officer Grant Ingram is looking forward to what the future holds in the community.

“It’s incredible to see what all we have been able to accomplish and knowing that we are not done yet, we’ve got more to come,” Ingram said. “Tyler is growing, Tyler is a great place to live, to work, to play, to raise your family. to start a business. We’re just excited to be a part of that and support our business community.”

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LIVINGSTON (AP) — Robert Roberson was calm and hopeful as he pondered his mortality and whether he could again avoid becoming the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.

With days to go before his scheduled Oct. 16 execution, Roberson maintained his innocence in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in the east Texas city of Palestine. He is set to die by lethal injection nearly a year to the day after a group of Texas lawmakers, who say he is innocent, secured an extraordinary last-minute court reprieve as Roberson waited outside the death chamber in Huntsville.

Roberson said he was placing his hopes for another execution stay in the hands of his lawyers, his supporters and God. Continue reading Roberson hopeful as he faces another execution date