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LONGVIEW – Longview City Council officially approved a contract to repair the public pool at the Paula Martin Jones recreation center on Thursday. The pool first closed in March of 2025 but was closed again after leaking issues continued in the pool’s gutter system. At their meeting on Thursday, city council approved a $417,000 contract with Sunbelt Pools, Inc. of Dallas to repair the pool.

“Our aquatics consultant worked with us on the Stanford pool. They actually have walked through the facility,” Longview Parks and Recreation Department director John Albertson said. “They’ve looked at everything that we’ve recommended, and they agreed that those were necessary repairs to make in order to get it back operational.”

The repairs are expected to start in the next few weeks and could take up to six months before they’re finished, according to our news partner KETK.

SMITH COUNTY – A man wanted on a drug-related warrant was apprehended during a routine speeding stop in Smith County. Authorities also found evidence of a money laundering scheme, a firearm, and almost $30,000 in cash. On December 28, Smith County deputies pulled over a car on Highway 31 East and identified Tyler James Starling, the driver. Starling was wanted on an active warrant for possessing about ten pounds of marijuana that had allegedly been smuggled and left at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. After Starling was placed under arrest, deputies searched his car and found a handgun, a cellphone, and $29,528 in cash.
Continue reading Traffic stop uncovers laundering scheme

TYLER — Thursday night officially marked the start of preparations for the upcoming 93rd annual Texas Rose Festival during the annual Winter Gala, where this year’s theme and the Rose Queen were announced.

During the gala at the Willow Brook Country Club, it was announced that the theme of the 93rd festival will be ‘Celebrations through the Seasons,’ on which the floats, decorations and dresses for the festival will be based. According to our news partner KETK, during the gala, Miss Claire Ann Malone, who has a generational family connection to the parade, was named the queen of the 93rd Rose Parade.

“I’m the seventh in our family and my mom was queen, so it’s really special to kind of do what she did at her age when she did it in 1996,” Malone said. “It’s just really special to me, and it means a lot, and I’m excited to be a representative of the city that I grew up in.”

The gala was just the start of Rose Parade preparations, with more events leading up to the 93rd Texas Rose Festival Parade on Oct. 17.

 

GREGG COUNTY — A suspect in connection with the 2012 fatal shooting in Longview has been extradited from Mexico to face trial. Longview Police Department Public Information Officer LaDarian Brown confirmed Jose Amaro Olivarez has been extradited to face trial after being charged with murder due to allegedly killing Francisco Roque in 2012.

According to our news partner KETK, Roque was allegedly shot by Olivarez several times in the 800 Block of Dalston Avenue following an argument between the two. Roque, who was 38 at the time, was later taken to a local hospital, where he died due to his wounds.

Olivarez, who was 26 years old at the time, fled the scene before officers arrived and was last seen in a 1998 Ford Van prior to his arrest. Olivarez was booked into the Smith County Jail on Tuesday before being taken to the Gregg County Jail on Wednesday.

TYLER — Arrest documents detail the moment a 23-year-old man was shot five times outside a Tyler nightclub on Dec. 28 in what the Smith County Sheriff’s Office claims involved the West Side Rolling 60’s Crips gang. According to our news partner KETK, Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr. arrived at The Valley Blues Club on Dec. 28, 2025, with his two half-brothers. Smith County records indicate he had a 9mm Glock 19, but had left the firearm in his vehicle.

Johnson told investigators that while inside the club Westside gang members attempted to start problems with him and his half-brothers. At that point, he decided to return to his car so he could drive to the club entrance and pick them up but said he was being followed by gang members.

When the car failed to start, he retrieved the gun from the vehicle, placed it in his waistband and began walking back toward the club. Continue reading Nightclub victim shot 5 times

WOOD COUNTY — A man was arrested for theft as deputies investigate multiple burglaries in the Alba area. According to our news partner KETK, Wood County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to a suspicious persons call in rural Alba on Dec. 31 of last year. Deputies found Dillon Bell walking down the middle of the road, in an area that had several burglaries recently.Investigators found a stolen firearm on Bell’s person which he admitted to stealing from a nearby vehicle several days prior. Bell was booked into Wood County Jail for unlawful carrying of a weapon, theft of a firearm, debit/credit card abuse and burglary of a vehicle, with a total bond of $30,000

CHEROKEE COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a court is requiring the Cherokee County Republican Party to put a candidate on the primary ballot after she was denied due to errors found in her application to run. Karen Morris applied to run on the general primary ballot on Dec. 8 for the Cherokee County Republican Chair position, currently held by Janet Stanovich.

Morris’ application was denied on Dec. 12 as the party claimed the application was incomplete because she had not listed the office she is seeking and left two sections of the petition incomplete. After learning that her application was denied, she texted a respondent asking whether she could submit a new petition to have it accepted, but the respondent did not answer.

On Dec. 15, Morris provided the party with a declaration to be a write-in candidate for the primary ballot and a completed petition to run for the position. Morris also sent a formal written demand that the respondent accept her application. Continue reading Court mandates GOP to place candidate

TYLER — A Tyler homeowner is stuck with a $5,000 repair bill after a viral TikTok “Door?Kick Challenge” left her garage door damaged by a stranger caught on camera.

Mishae Boren, a resident of Tyler, recounts a frightening experience when her daughter heard a loud bang as individuals struck the garage doors. The noise resembled thunder and caused the part of the house where her room is located to shake. When she and her husband ventured outside, the culprits had already left. In the darkness, they were unable to assess the damage, and it wasn’t until the following morning that they discovered the garage doors weren’t functioning properly. It was then that they reviewed their security footage to see what had happened.

Reports of this challenge have been circulating since 2021; the trend encourages individuals to kick and pound on doors, imitating a home invasion. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are advising against participation, highlighting the risks of injury as homeowners may defend themselves. Continue reading TikTok’s challenge leaves residents with repair bills

TYLER – A second person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting at Valley Blues Club in Tyler last month. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Jaqwaylon Ogechi Pettigrew, 20, Tyler, was charged as the result of an arrest warrant affidavit. The warrants were issued for the following offenses: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a 2nd degree felony – $400,000 Bond, Evading Arrest or Detention, a Class A Misdemeanor – $200,000 Bond and Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair, a 3rd degree felony – $300,000 Bond. Pettigrew remains in the Smith County Jail at this time. Continue reading Second arrest in nightclub shooting

GRAND SALINE — A man was arrested Monday after officials found two dead dogs and several others emaciated on his Grand Saline property. According to our news partner KETK, Kenneth Wayne Adams was arrested and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals on Monday following an investigation in December by Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

On Dec. 13, 2025, Van Zandt County deputies responded to a report of deceased animals on a property, where they found two dead pit bull-mixed dogs chained to trees that were severely emaciated. The deputies made contact with Adams, the property owner, and requested the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigators (ACI) Unit to assist the investigation. Adams told investigators that the deceased dogs belonged to previous owners who had moved out two weeks prior. Continue reading Man arrested for animal cruelty

GILMER — Our news partners at KETK report that two juveniles were arrested after gunfire struck a Gilmer home late Monday night, sending bullets through a bedroom window, authorities said. The shooting was reported about 11:44 p.m. at a residence on Circle Drive, according to the Gilmer Police Department. Investigators said several bullets hit the home, with about three passing through a bedroom window. No injuries were reported. Police identified two juvenile suspects and a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting. Around 1:54 a.m. Wednesday, officers located the vehicle in Gilmer. The suspects attempted to drive away, but the vehicle was later stopped and the occupants ran from the scene on foot, police said. Both juveniles were arrested shortly after. Investigators determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from Longview, and a handgun was recovered.

BULLARD — More than 400 middle school students start the new semester on Wednesday at the brand-new Bullard ISD campus, sparking traffic concerns on Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, t he new middle school will house grades seventh and eighth and will be located on Highway 69 and FM 2493.

Out of caution, there will be increased police patrols in the area during the morning hours. TxDOT has reduced the speed limit to 45 in that section of Highway 69 and set up a temporary stoplight at the intersection in front of the campus.

“Just exercising caution, having patience and following all of the local traffic laws and safety precautions will help for a smooth transition,” Bullard ISD employee Amy Pawlak said. “We have systems in place and so now we are just excited to  get going and to start the spring semester.” Continue reading Traffic plan unveiled for new middle school

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man received an 8-year prison sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, in which he was accused of acquiring over $9 million. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Jess Thrash reportedly had more than 100 victims, from whom he defrauded millions through various fraudulent activities, including schemes related to sports investments.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, Thrash used these funds for gambling, personal expenses and to repay other victims in an effort to evade detection.

On Tuesday, Thrash was sentenced to 97 months in prison and is ordered to pay in restitution $8,100,024. Continue reading Man sentenced in million dollar fraud scheme

Update: Boil water notice for the city of Gilmer has been rescinded.

GILMER — The City of Gilmer has issued a boil water notice for communities along US Highway 271 North until further notice. According to our news partner KETK, Monday, Gilmer officials issued a boil water notice due to a loss in water pressure requiring the city to make water system repairs. The notice affects residences and businesses off of US Highway 271 N on Crawford and Harvey streets.

The city encourages all residents to boil their water for two minutes prior to consumption or to purchase bottled water until further notice. Questions regarding the boil water notice may be directed to Gilmer’s public works director at 903-843-8206.

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro Independent School District named Aaron Nation as its new superintendent during a school board meeting Monday night. District officials said Nation had served as interim superintendent since September and was named the lone finalist for the position in December.

In a statement, the district congratulated Nation and expressed support for his continued leadership, “WISD congratulates Mr. Nation and looks forward to continuing the great work and positive momentum already underway across our district,” officials said.

TYLER – The National Weather Service in Shreveport has announced that its meteorologists will be holding several SKYWARN spotter trainings in East Texas soon.

“The SKYWARN presentation covers severe thunderstorm characteristics, cloud formations, identifying the different threats associated with severe storms, how to report and basic weather safety,” NWS said.

This year NWS meteorologist will be going to the following East Texas locations to conduct these SKYWARN training classes.
Continue reading NWS to hold storm spotter classes

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with a December shooting at the Valley Blues nightclub that left one person dead, according to our news partners at KETK. The shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Valley Blues Club on County Road 486. When authorities arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds: Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr., 23, and Aaron Lamar Jackson, 23. Both were taken to local hospitals with critical injuries, and Jackson later died. Authorities believe that the shooting was gang-related, claiming that rival gangs were both at the club, leading to the incident.

According to Smith County PIO Sgt. Larry Christian, Johnson has been arrested for his involvement in the shooting. He was booked into Smith County Jail on Jan. 2 on charges of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

Johnson remains in custody, and additional charges may be filed, Christian said.

TYLER – Around 10,000 Optimum internet service customers are eligible for compensation after losing service over the weekend when two aerial fiber cables were shot, according to our news partner KETK. According to Optimum, two aerial fiber lines were hit by bullets, which severed the fiber strands within. A company representative said that repairing these lines is a delicate, time-consuming task, requiring technicians to line up hundreds of tiny hair-sized fibers to join them so light and data can flow through.

Optimum’s payment, billing and service policy allows customers to call within 30 days of a 4+ hour long outage to receive a credit for their lost service.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted to investigate the shooting that left the two aerial fiber lines damaged, according to Optimum.

EAST TEXAS – A dry week marked by high winds has placed several East Texas counties under burn bans or facing elevated fire danger, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning, according to our news partner KETK. See below for list of these areas.

OFFICIAL BURN BAN: – Anderson County, Panola County, Harrison County, Shelby County, Rusk County, Bowie County, city of Sulphur Springs, city of New Boston and Marion County.
ELEVATED FIRE RISK: – Angelina County, Houston County, Polk County, Smith County, Titus County and Upshur County.

Even in counties without an active burn ban or advisory, residents are urged to stop all burning until dry conditions subside.

WASKOM – A week after a fatal house fire killed Waskom ISD students, Isaac and Hector Pedraza, the district announced it will be holding a prayer walk in honor of both students and their family.

The prayer walk will be held on Tuesday morning, starting at 7:30 a.m. outside of Waskom High School. All parents, community members and students are invited to join the walk as it will be a time for reflection, unity and comfort.

The district announced earlier this month that the tragic loss will delay the start of the second semester by a day, allowing students and teachers to attend the funeral services for Hector and Isaac, scheduled for Wednesday. Once school resumes on Thursday, counseling and support services will continue to be available for students and staff. Families are encouraged to reach out to the school district for additional support if needed.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County property taxes are not due until later this month, but Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is urging taxpayers to plan ahead because recent changes by the U.S. Postal Service could affect whether mailed payments are considered on time. The deadline to pay property taxes without penalty is Jan. 31.

Barber said the easiest and fastest way to pay is online by scanning the QR code on the tax statement or visiting the county’s public tax website. Payments can be made using a debit or credit card or by electronic check. “If you want to skip the long lines at the Tax Office, I highly recommend you pay online,” Barber said.

Taxpayers may also pay in person, use the Tax Office drop box outside the Cotton Belt Building, or mail their payments. However, Barber warned that changes to how postmarks are determined could result in late payments. In the past, postmarks reflected the date mail was dropped off at a mailbox or post office. Continue reading Property tax deadline approaching

RUSK – East Texans gathered together on Saturday to continue the search for James David Blount, a Rusk man who went missing over a month ago on Dec. 2. Blount is a 57-year-old white man who’s around 5’09”, weighs about 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. His vehicle was found abandoned on Highway 84 West at the Neches River near the Cherokee and Anderson County line.

According to our news partner KETK, more than 40 community members gathered together to search for the second weekend in a row on Saturday morning. Searchers combed the woods on horseback and with ATVs in hopes that they’d find any evidence related to Blount’s disappearance. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who provides information that leads to the location of Blount. Anyone with information about Blount is asked to call 911 or the Rusk Police Department at 903-683-2677.

BULLARD – A Bullard man arrested for child grooming in 2024 has been sentenced to serve six years on probation. According to our news partner KETK, Randy Lloyd Smith, 48 of Bullard, was arrested by the Bullard Police Department on Aug. 28, 2024 after officers helped the Smith County Sheriff’s Office find a runaway at his home in Bullard on July 25 of that year, according to Smith’s arrest affidavit.

The arrest document described how officers found four minors at the home, including the runaway. The runaway minor was interviewed by law enforcement and said that, after they left their parent’s home, an unnamed person had picked them up to go to Smith’s house. An investigator interviewed another one of the minors found at Smith’s home. That minor said Smith was touching one of the other minors inappropriately and that he had bought them all alcohol, vapes and a sex toy. Continue reading Six years probation for child grooming

TYLER — After several days of no rain and high winds, several East Texas counties are now under burn bans or facing elevated fire danger, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning. The list shared from our news partner KETK has burn bans issued for these counties: Harrison ,Panola, Shelby, Rusk, Bowie, Marion and the City of Sulphur Springs. Elevated fire risk is in force for Anderson, Angelina, Houston, Polk, Smith, Titus and Upshur counties.

LONGVIEW – The Texas Lottery has announced that a $2 million Powerball lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Longview. The Mr. Kwik on South High Street sold a ticket that hit five of five lottery numbers from Saturday’s drawing but not the Powerball number. The ticket was sold with the Power Play option, rewarding it’s buyer with a $2 million prize.