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HAWKINS – Our news partners at KETK report that a Hawkins man has turned himself into the Wood County Jail after he allegedly posted the cellphone number of a Hawkins city council woman on Facebook. Todd Eddington runs the Crooked Wood County “Justice” System Part III page on Facebook. On Dec. 10, arrest documents allege that he used the page to share the cellphone number of Hawkins city councilwoman Eleta Taylor. Taylor then reportedly requested that Eddington take the number down from the page because of safety concerns. Eddington’s response to her request was quoted in an affidavit for his arrest that was obtained by KETK. Continue reading Hawkins man arrested for posting council member’s phone number

Tyler – Tyler Independent School District announces that students in the Advanced Animal Science/Livestock Production class at the Career & Technology Center will construct their own anaerobic digesters in an engaging hands-on activity designed to demonstrate how organic waste can be converted into renewable energy. Continue reading CTC students explore renewable energy

TYLER – The Tyler Parks and Rec is hosting a public meeting on Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. regarding the development of Stewart Park, located at 2713 N. Frankston Hwy. This meeting’s purpose is to display the proposed amenities and address any concerns or questions that residents may have. Continue reading Tyler Parks and Rec invites community to discuss Stewart Park development

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that an East Texas man was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Thursday for aggravated assault against a public servant. During Jacob Brian Williams’ hearing, the court heard testimony that on Sept. 30, 2022 Gun Barrel City Officers were dispatched to America’s Best Value Inn and Suites after a man was reported entering rooms at the hotel. Once officers arrived, they found Williams hidden behind a dumpster who appeared to be under the influence. When approached, Williams answered yes when asked if he had weapons in his possession. Officials said when officers attempted to pat Williams down, he became aggravated and eventually got into an altercation with the officers. Williams reportedly began to kick and hit an officer before ripping the body cam off one officer and causing serious injury to him after hitting him over the head multiple times. Continue reading Man who seriously injured officers sentenced to 18 years

GLADEWATER — An East Texas teacher has resigned after statements she made at 17-years-old resurfaced, according to our news partners at KETK. Gladewater ISD announced on Thursday that Hollie Tefteller, an AG teacher, is no longer employed with the school district as the statements made when she was a student in 2015 “were perceived as racially insensitive, understandably caused concern among members of our community.” Tefteller granted permission for the district to share this context to promote transparency. The school said she deeply regrets her past actions, taking full responsibility and acknowledged the impact these statements had. Continue reading East Texas teacher resigns after ‘racially insensitive’ statements resurface

SMITH COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that though Smith County is not under a burn ban, Smith County Emergency Services District 2 is now advising residents against any outdoor burning following an increase of grass fires. According to Nikki Simmons with Smith County ESD2, firefighters responded to six grass or wildland fires on Thursday and nine on Friday not including any structure fires. Due to wind conditions, officials now advise against any outdoor burning. Continue reading Smith County firefighters respond to 15 grassfires in two days

CHEROKEE COUNTY – On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving an Assault in progress on County Road 3308. Two (2) victims were identified, one being sexually assaulted and both being robbed at gunpoint. The suspect was identified as Michael Deshon Thompson, who fled into the woods upon the Deputy’s arrival. THOMPSON was located and taken into custody by Deputies on the scene. Continue reading Cherokee County man arrested for assault

CHEROKEE COUNTY – On Sunday, January 19, 2025, The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving a Sexual Assault of a child. The suspect in the incident was identified as Irving Charles Williams Jr. On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, a warrant was issued by 2nd District Judge Chris Day. Williams was taken into custody by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office CID and SIU divisions for the offense of Sexual Abuse of a Child-Continuous Victim under 14. During Williams Jr arrest, he was found to have two (2) firearms in his possession and an additional charge of Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. WILLIAMS is currently being housed in the Cherokee County Jail. Williams was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy setting his bonds at $1,000,000 for sexual assault to a child under 14, and $20,000 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said an 87-year-old man is dead after his home caught on fire on Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County fire crews were sent to the unidentified man’s home on FM 2908 and Old Kilgore Highway, east of Tyler around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. The press release from the county said when firefighters arrived, flames already had gone through the roof of the man’s home. Fire crews extracted the 87-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Although the fire was put out, the house is considered a total loss. The Fire Marshall’s office said while they don’t expect any foul play, they will still investigate for the cause of the fire. The name of the decreased is being withheld until an autopsy can be performed.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman has been arrested after a Thursday traffic stop revealed she reportedly had meth and hydrocodone in her truck.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, officers including a K-9 unit, conducted a traffic stop at around 5:45 p.m. in the 6200 block of Clear Creek Road in Mabank on a black Dodge Ram truck driven by Natasha Ann Longbine. During the traffic stop, an open air sniff of the vehicle was conducted by K-9, Valco, who gave a positive alert for narcotics, initiating a search of the vehicle. “During the search, deputies and investigators were informed by Natasha that she was concealing hydrocodone on her person,” the police department said. “As the search continued Deputy Rodriguez located suspected marijuana inside of the vehicle.”

An officer witnessed Longbine lean on the front passenger side of the vehicle, and reach into the patrol vehicle’s wheel wells. Officers then found a small black zipper bag with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine and baggies used for packaging and distribution of narcotics.

Longbine was arrested for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana and tampering or fabricating with physical evidence.

TYLER- Lance Phillips, the son of a Smith County elected official, is seeking to change the location of his upcoming trial due to family prominence. Phillips, 41, of Tyler, is charged with the assault of a peace officer or judge for accusations related to a County Commissioners Court meeting on April 2nd, where he was held in contempt of Court and removed.

Phillips’ attorney asked that the trial, which was set for February 4, 2025, to be postponed so that he may gather evidence to support a venue change. The lawyer cited that Lance Phillips’ parents (former Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner, Terry Phillips, and current Smith County Clerk, Karen Phillips) are notable figures in the county, as well as the amount of news reports and views of videos involving Lance and his family. The hearing to address the venue change and other issues will be held on February 26th.
Continue reading Lance Phillips seeks to change trial venue

LONGVIEW – On Thursday, a new Command Bus and Bearcat were unveiled after Gregg County and the City of Longview partnered to update old equipment.

The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and the Longview Police and Fire agencies will be able to use these vehicles. This is the third command center for the city and county. The last time the mobile command post was updated was in 2006 and the last “Bearcat” was updated in 2009.

Longview Police Chief Anthony Boone shared how the new equipment will benefit the city in several ways. “It could be used for natural disasters. It could be used for any type of larger crime scenes. If we have an ongoing active shooter or barricaded subject event, so it will have multiple uses at the city and the county level,” Boone said. Continue reading Longview, Gregg County unveil new equipment ensuring community safety

SULPHUR SPRINGS- Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 25-year-old has died after he crashed into an 18-wheeler on Thursday, the Sulphur Springs Police Department said.

Police officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Industrial Drive West at around 8:53 p.m. in reference to a major crash. A preliminary investigation indicates that an 18-wheeler was driving westbound on Industrial Drive West while a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe was driving behind the 18-wheeler. The police department said the driver of the Tahoe failed to control their speed and struck the rear of the trailer.

Officials said the Tahoe driver, identified as Alfonso Alvarez Jr., 25 of Sulphur Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene by a Justice of the Peace. Two occupants of the 18-wheeler were reportedly not injured. “Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers,” the police department said.

TYLER– Records show that two children found their mother’s body and alerted an adult after an apartment shooting on Jan. 6.

According to our news partner, KETK, Tyler Police Department officers responded to an apartment in the 9000 block of Bellwood Lake Road and spoke with Cheyenne Russell’s roommate, who found her dead on a couch underneath a blanket with blood on her face.

The roommate told a Tyler PD detective that Russell had moved into the apartment with her children on Jan. 5. The roommate said she left the apartment at around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, and that she was texting Russell throughout the day. Arrest documents show that Jorian Jackson, 29 of Plano, was at the apartment that day to drop off some Christmas presents to a child of his and Russell’s.

“Russell texted [the roommate] that Jackson was questioning their relationship and why they broke up approximately one year ago,” the documents said. Continue reading Children discover mother’s body in Tyler apartment

HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Thursday for the murder of a missing person, whose body was found in 2022 in a hand-dug grave. According to our news partner KETK, Dalan Clowdus will begin his plea deal prison sentence this week for the murder of missing person, Jimmy Dean Oldfield.

On May 26, 2022, authorities were notified of a missing person’s body and truck that were found at a home off Highway 85 just outside of Seven Points. After officials arrived, they located a truck that was “cut into several pieces” and uncovered a hand-dug grave containing the missing person’s body. Officials identified the body to be Oldfield, who went missing earlier in May, however the sheriff’s office wasn’t notified until May 15.

Dalan was the third man to be arrested for this incident after he turned himself into the sheriff’s office. Along with Dalan, investigators also arrested Steven Clowdus and William Hux. Continue reading Man sentenced for murder of missing person

TYLER – An East Texas man was given a life sentence on Tuesday after being found guilty of street gang activity in connection to the murder of Brandon Edwards. According to our news partner KETK, Kevin Dale Higgins, 58, was sentenced for his role as president of the Ugly Man Cossacks gang. He was arrested in April for allegedly giving orders to an “outlaw motorcycle gang” that led to the death of Edwards in May 2020.

Edwards was identified as a Sergeant at Arms of a local 1%er Cossacks an “outlaw motorcycle gang chapter.” According to the affidavit, the rivalry between the gangs stemmed in part, from “each ‘club’ claiming to be the ‘real Cossacks.’”

Chad Crowell, who was also arrested in April 2024 for his involvement in Edward’s death, is awaiting is trail that is set for March 31.

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, a Texarkana registered sex offender was arrested Thursday morning after “800 files of suspected child pornography” were reportedly traced back to his Google drive account. Police were alerted in December by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a report from Google.

The report allegedly showed that “over 800 files of suspected child pornography” had been uploaded to a Google Drive tracing back to a Texarkana address. Detectives identified the account to belong to registered sex offender, 69-year-old Kenneth Davenport.

Officials said that officers searched Davenport’s home and seized several electronic devices. Davenport was then arrested for possession of child pornography. Davenport is in custody at Bi-state jail and his bond has not been set at this time.

TYLER – An East Texas man on Tuesday, was sentenced to 99 years in prison after several run-ins with the law regarding drug charges. According to our news partner KETK, Benjamin Clark was pulled over in a traffic stop by Upshur County Narcotics Officers, for not using a turn signal. Officers were informed Clark was on parole for dealing drugs in Diana. A K9 unit led police to hidden compartments in Clark’s vehicle. These compartments contained methamphetamine and mushrooms. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was later released from jail on bond.

Because of Clark’s other convictions, the state filed a notice of enhancement forcing him to be given a life sentence or a sentence of 25 to 99 years. On Tuesday, a jury found him guilty of possession of a controlled substance as habitual offender the jury decided to sentence him to 99 years in prison.

In a release from the Upshur County DA, “The jury gave this sentence due to Clark receiving several opportunities of probation, county jail, prison and parole to fix his life decisions- nothing stopped him from continuing to break the law. The jury rejected the defense’s argument for the minimum sentence of 25 years.”

SMITH COUNTY– The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter shared some recent progress photos of several dogs that were saved from a dog fighting ring last year and are ready for adoption. These dogs are part of a group of nearly 60 dogs that were rescued by the shelter after a dog fighting ring was broken up on Sept. 9, 2024.

Kerry Jones and Michael Jones were both arrested for cruelty to non-livestock animals in connection to the ring. The dogs were in such bad condition that many of them were wounded, and 11 of them had to be euthanized. On Thursday, the shelter shared before and after photos of dogs from the ring that are still waiting to be adopted.

The shelter said each of the dogs were evaluated and found to be friendly. Continue reading Dogs ready for adoption after rescue from fighting ring

KILGORE — Our news partners at KETK report that Kilgore College students, especially women, are asked to remain vigilant as a man who has exposed himself multiple times remain on the run, the Kilgore College Police Department said. In the past two weeks, a man has exposed himself twice on campus, officials said. He is reportedly targeting women who are walking on campus alone, usually in the evening hours.The suspect is described as a light skinned black male, 6 foot tall with medium build and looking like an average college student. Continue reading Kilgore College alerts students to man exposing himself on campus

HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man is behind bars after officials reportedly found child pornography in his home according to our news partner KETK.

On Wednesday, Henderson County Crimes Against Children’s Task Force and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office searched the home of Dustyn Loyd, 24 of Murchison, on FM 2339. According to officials, during the search Loyd was arrested for online solicitation of a minor and three charges of possession of child pornography. Loyd was transported to the Henderson County Jail and is currently awaiting arraignment.

TYLER – A year has passed since Harley Morris’ disappearance, and despite the tireless efforts of his family and authorities, they are no closer to finding him than they were when he first went missing. According to our news partner KETK, Harley was last seen on January 21, 2024. Three days later, the Tyler Police Department issued a missing person report. The department followed up with two additional requests for residents and businesses north of Gentry Parkway to North Loop 323 to review cameras or door on the day he went missing for any signs of Harley.

They also asked the community to check their property for items Harley was known to be wearing at the time of his disappearance: a Prime 102 cap, black shoes, and a black/grey hoodie. In an effort to aid the investigation, a Facebook group was created where community members pieced together a timeline of Harley’s final known hours.
Continue reading Search for missing Tyler man Harley Morris continues

UPDATE: After being on the run for two weeks, Jorian Jackson, wanted for the deadly Tyler apartment shooting was arrested on Wednesday evening. Officers served a search warrant at around 2:45 p.m. at his grandmother’s house on Highway 31, where they located him. Jackson is headed to the Smith County Jail for first-degree murder and will be held on a $1 million bond. The grandparents have been arrested. They are identified as Carolyn Johnson, 75, and Willie Johnson, 75, both from Tyler. They’ve been charged with hindering apprehension, with bond set at $50,000 each.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is searching for a Plano man for his suspected involvement in a Monday apartment shooting that killed a woman. Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Bellwood Lake Road at around 3:05 p.m. in reference to a homicide. When authorities arrived, they reportedly found a woman, later identified as Cheyenne Russell, 26 from Nacogdoches, with multiple gunshot wounds. Police have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Jorian Jackson.

EDGEWOOD – Edgewood Superintendent Kristin Prater announced her retirement from Edgewood ISD on Tuesday, that will go into effect on June, 30. According to our news partner KETK, Prater said in a release, “Looking back on my tenure, I am filled with gratitude for the partnerships we have formed, the challenges we have overcome and the many successes we have celebrated.”

Prater said she is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for new leadership in the district.

UPDATE: The Longview Fire Department confirmed that a second person has died following the fire. As of now, officials have not released the names of the deceased.

LONGVIEW – One person is dead and another injured following a Wednesday morning house fire in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Fire Marshall Kevin May said in release, firefighters were called to a house fire around 4:30 a.m. at Garfield Street and Berry Lane. He said of the five persons in the house, one died due to extreme heat. One other person is in the hospital with severe smoke inhalation. Marshall May said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

UPDATE: Tyler Water Utilities crews and the contractor have completed repairs to the 12″ water line at SW Loop 323 in front of the KETK News building. The water supply has been restored and affected businesses and residents have been notified.

TYLER — Contractors and City crews are currently on-site making repairs to the water line break. Affected businesses and residents have been notified. The water supply in the area will be turned off by 10 a.m. to allow crews to complete the repairs. We anticipate water to be restored around 5 p.m. Areas impacted include KETK News, Jalapeno Tree, Towne Oaks Plaza shopping mall and some residences in the Richmond Road neighborhood.

Background: On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) identified a break in a 12″ water line at SW Loop 323 in front of the KETK News building.

CASS COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that an Arkansas man has been sentenced to 40 years after touching an East Texas child while he and his fiancé visited her family’s home.

The Cass County Criminal District Attorney said that Dillon Austin Venson, 24 of Pocahontas, AR., was found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child by contact and not guilty on an aggravated charge. Venson was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison and will not be eligible for parole until he has served half the time, along with a $10,000 fine on each charge. According to the DA’s office, during the spring and summer of 2023, Venson and his fiancé visited the victim and her family at their home in Queen City.

During the first occasion, the victim younger than 14, woke up to Venson touching her leg and moving his hand to her private area the document stated, the DA’s office said. He then proceeded to touch her private area over her underwear. Continue reading Man sentenced after touching an East Texas child