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BULLARD — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a man was arrested on Thursday evening in Bullard after striking his 89-year-old mother on the side of the head with a closed fist.

According to an affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to an assault at a home near Lakeside Drive where a caregiver said between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. she saw Christopher Banks Dunn strike his 89-year-old mother with ‘severe dementia’ on the side of the head with a closed fist.

The caregiver explained that she was helping the victim change when Dunn became upset and hit the victim on the side of the head for arguing with him, the document said. Continue reading Bullard man arrested for punching 89-year-old woman

MARSHALL – An Eastern District of Texas federal jury has awarded $278.8 million in damages to a Tyler research firm suing tech-giant Samsung for patent infringement.

Headwater Research LLC, a Tyler-based research firm lead by inventor Dr. Greg Raleigh, filed a lawsuit against Samsung on March 10, 2023 which alleged that Samsung phones and tablets had infringed against two wireless communication technology patents.

U.S. patents 8,406,733 and 9,198,117 are technologies that are used to improve Wi-Fi speeds, reliability and the battery life of devices, according to a press release. Continue reading Tyler research firm awarded $278 million in damages

UPDATE: According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, they have identified Dezavion Williams, 19 of Tyler, as the suspected shooter. Williams was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail for aggravated assault.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has taken one person into custody after shots were fired at Lake Tyler at around on Sunday. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, Tyler PD responded to gunshots reported at a parking lot near Lake Tyler and called for assistance with crowd control. Officers near the lake were able to take a suspected shooter with a rifle into custody. Tyler PD said no one was injured in the shooting. They are currently interviewing the person in custody.

TYLER — Our news partner KETK is reporting that gas prices are down compared to last Memorial Day weekend. According to AAA, the national average that Americans are paying is 3.192. Only a week ago, the number stood at 3.152, climbing to a .04 cent increase. Texas has a current average of $2.79, which resulted in a .03 cent difference within the week. Compared to this time last year, the average Texas gas price is down by 39 cents. Tyler is down by 38 cents from last year, Longview is down by 41 cents and Texarkana is down by 39 cents, AAA reported.

Texas is one of the least expensive states when it comes to gas in between Alabama ($2.76) and South Carolina ($2.81), according to AAA. Prices are rising slightly from last week during this late spring season as family vacations and road trips start up.
Courtesy of AAA

TYLER – Tyler Police Department officers and other first responders helped save a 60-year-old man who got trapped in a creek bed on Saturday night according to our news partner KETK.

Despite severe thunderstorms moving through Smith County on Saturday, the officers and EMS personnel responded to a report of a missing 60-year-old man with health concerns that hadn’t taken his medication, according to the Tyler Patrolman’s Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 182. The man was found cold, injured and unable to move but thankfully he was still alive. The association said he was then lifted out of the creek and treated by EMS.

“With incredible teamwork, they extracted him safely and got him the medical help he urgently needed. Their dedication and bravery saved a life last night. This is the heart of service,” the Tyler Patrolman’s Association said on Sunday.

UPDATE: TYLER – The Texas Game Wardens have confirmed that a 75-year-old was killed when a jet ski crashed into a boat at Lake Tyler West on Saturday.

Stephen Ward, 75 of Tyler, was killed when his jet ski crashed into what game wardens called a “recreational vessel” that had four occupants. Those four occupants were uninjured in the crash and no alcohol was involved, according to a press release from the Texas Game Wardens.

An autopsy has been ordered and the Texas Game Warden State Forensics Reconstruction and Mapping Team is investigating the crash. Continue reading UPDATE: One dead after jet ski crash in Lake Tyler

PALESTINE – Residents of Palestine can be assured that the city is taking steps to control the mosquito population this summer thanks to scheduled maintenance, according to our news partner KETK.

The City of Palestine will spray for summer mosquitoes starting on Monday, May 26. To ensure coverage, mosquito control is divided into six areas which are sprayed twice annually.

The first three areas will be covered on May 26, while areas four, five and six are scheduled to be sprayed on May 29.

The spraying will begin at 9 p.m. and continue until 5 a.m. on those days. Continue reading City of Palestine to start spraying for mosquitos

PALESTINE – According to our news partner, KETK, a Palestine family who lost their infant daughter last year, donated their infant preservation device to a local hospital so other families could spend more time with their recently deceased babies.

A Palestine family, who lost their infant daughter last year, donated their infant preservation device to a local hospital so other families could spend more time with their recently deceased babies. While nothing could sooth their pain, all they wanted was another moment with Skipper Kate. The moment may not have been the way they imagined it, but the family was able to use a Cuddle Cot to make it happen.

“This device gave us the gift of time,” Pierce said. “It keeps them cold. And by keeping them cold, it allows families to get time they otherwise would not have gotten without the aid of this cooling device.”

Now Sayler and Noah Pierce are giving the same gift to other families by donating the device to Palestine Regional Medical Center. Continue reading Infant preservation device donated to hospital

GUN BARREL CITY – Three people were injured with one person being airlifted to a local hospital on Thursday after three vehicles were involved in a major crash in Gun Barrel City, officials said.

Gun Barrell City Fire Department said they responded to a major accident in the 200 block of Legendary Lane where three passengers of a red sedan were injured. One passenger was flown to a local hospital.

Legendary Lane was closed for two hours while an investigation of the accident was conducted.

WOOD COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that four people have been arrested following a high-speed chase in Wood County where multiple shots were fired.

According to Wood County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived at Lake Holbrook recreational area on Thursday evening at around 10:03 p.m. after receiving reports about a suspect who had stolen a firearm, had threatened several people with it and had threatened to shoot at law enforcement.

Once on the scene, deputies witnessed a white SUV attempting to leave from the recreational area at high speed, nearly striking several officials. As deputies began to pursue the vehicle, shots were fired by a suspect from the SUV, according to officials. Continue reading Four arrested in high-speed chase

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who was caught on video breaking into a house in the Ben Wheeler area on Friday morning, according to our news partner KETK.

Video footage shows the suspect, who appears to be a man walking around the home at around 7 a.m. Friday morning. In the video, posted on Facebook, the suspect’s face remains partially covered by what appears to be a rag.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who may be able to identify the suspect through the video to contact the Van Zandt County Criminal Investigation Division at 903-567-4133.

TEXARKANA – Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,500 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the man wanted for shooting and injuring a mother and her 10-year-old daughter while they were sleeping in March.

According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Omarion Owens is wanted for multiple violent felonies in Texarkana Texas and Arkansas, including a shooting that left a mom and daughter wounded.

Officials said on March 15 around 12:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of Mason Street a mother and her 10-year-old daughter were shot while sleeping in bed leaving the mom wounded and her daughter in critical condition. “More than 60 bullets were fired into their home in the middle of the night in just 11 seconds,” the department said. Continue reading Police search for shooting suspect that injured 10-year-old

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Larue man was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon after the court heard his extensive criminal history since the 1990’s.

According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, Jeremy Wayne Costlow, 47 of Larue was sentenced to life in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and 20 years for possession of a controlled substance after the jury found him guilty in March.

“During punishment, the court heard that Costlow’s punishment was enhanced due to his extensive criminal history and was on parole at the time of this offense,” the DA’s office said. Continue reading Henderson County man gets life in prison

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank released their 2025 Map the Meal Gap numbers showing that one in five adults in the East Texas area do not have enough food to eat. According to our news partner KETK, this amounts to nearly 44.6 million meals, an increase from last year’s close to 41 million meals. Many families who depend on the food bank yearly also rely on their SNAP benefits to fill their pantries.

“Snap benefits stretch much, much further than the meals that you get,” East Texas Food Bank Chief Impact Officer Kim Morris said.

Recently, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee voted on its portion of a bill that includes $230 billion in spending cuts. One of those proposals would make cuts to SNAP benefits, and changes to qualification requirements. Something U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran from East Texas supports. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank responds to possible SNAP cuts

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Calendars Committee did not advance House Bill 2109 to be heard on the House floor. The 57-year-old bill would have ended the Marvin Nichols project to flood tens of thousands of East Texas land to supply water to the DFW metroplex.

East Texans have strong emotions about HB- 2109 being one hurdle away from a House floor hearing. Many East Texans said they called all 11 Calendars Committee members and went to the capitol to please their case even as the clock was running out. They all agree after nearly six decades on the front lines that they will not stop fighting. In the next legislative session, they are hoping another bill will be introduced to finally put a stop to the reservoir, once and for all.

The Texas Water Board is still allowing anyone to submit their comments regarding the Reservoir. The deadline is June 9.

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott has increased the reward offered for information leading to Trevor McEuen’s arrest, after a manhunt ensued earlier this month, hours before he was due in court on a murder charge.

According to our news partner KETK, the reward is up to $30,000 after Abbott, the Kaufman County Crime Stoppers and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office each offered $10,000 for any information that leads to McEuen’s arrest.

“I urge all Texans with information on McEuen to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or submit an anonymous tip online to help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal. Working together, we will bring fugitives like Trevor McEuen to justice,” Abbot said.

To be eligible for the reward, people must submit their tips to Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or online. Anyone with information will remain anonymous and should avoid apprehending McEuen as he is considered armed and dangerous. Continue reading Reward increased to $30K for East Texas fugitive

POLK COUNTY — In Texas, each county jail requires a minimum ratio of one guard for every 48 inmates. According to our news partner KETK, that’s not enough for Polk County.

Sheriff Byron Lyons says, like many other jails across Texas, his jail is facing staffing shortages and overcrowding, and has now looked into exploring alternative housing options for inmates.

“The only viable in-state option was in Eagle Pass, which could accommodate 60 to 100 inmates. However, it is located approximately six hours away, one way,” Lyons said. “In contrast, the facility in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, though out of state, is only a two-hour drive and can also house between 60 and 100 inmates. This proximity allows us to keep our inmate population centralized, rather than spread out across multiple locations.” Continue reading Jail moving inmates to Louisiana amid overcrowding issues

WHITEHOUSE – According to our news partner KETK, a motorcyclist died in Whitehouse following a crash with a vehicle, according to officials.

The crash occurred around 7:42 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 110 and Acker Tap on Thursday evening, according to Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County ESD2. Simmons also stated the motorcyclist died on the scene while the driver involved in the crash was transported to the hospital and their condition remains unknown.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in finding a missing woman who has not been seen since last week.

According to the sheriff’s office, 31-year-old Maria ‘Mary’ De La Cruz was last seen on May 8. Her family has not had any contact with her since her disappearance, but has located her car and belongings.

Anyone with any information about De La Cruz’s potential whereabouts is asked to contact investigator Rob Bowen at 903-680-8223.

TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, a missing persons investigation is underway for a 28-year-old man last seen on Friday.

The Tyler Police Department said Donte Matlock-Landon, of Tyler, was last seen at around 6:30 p.m. at a residence in the 700 block of Bennett Avenue. He is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall, with a slim build, brown eyes and short, black dreadlock hair.

Officials said he was last seen wearing black/white shorts and a black hoodie.

Anyone who has seen or knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the police department at 903-531-1000.

LONGVIEW – UPDATE: According to the Longview Police Department, Frank Eliseo Barrientos, who was wanted for aggravated robbery, is now in custody.

ORIGINAL STORY: According to the department, they are looking for 32-year-old Frank Eliseo Barrientos who is five feet and 10 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. Barrientos has short black hair, brown eyes, has a scar around his right eye and multiple tattoos.

Officials said Barrientos has an outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery, is considered armed and dangerous and shouldn’t be approached.

TYLER – The Tyler NAACP President Lisa Williams spoke with KETK on Tuesday about videos of the recent arrest of Brianna Erwin, which have been making rounds on social media.

In 10 seconds of body camera footage released by Tyler PD, an officer can be heard saying, “Let go of my gun” just before the officer’s gun went off in it’s holster. Tyler PD said Erwin was then struck with a closed-hand by an officer in an attempt to avoid further escalation. Erwin was transported to the Smith County Jail where Williams met with her on Monday.

Body cam footage video below:

“I visited her May the 12th, once I saw the video on social media,” Williams said. “I reposted the video because I didn’t know who it was and that was my main concern. Who was she?”

During her visit with Erwin, Williams said she learned that Erwin wasn’t pregnant as she was heard stating in videos of her arrest. Continue reading Tyler NAACP reacts to woman’s arrest, firing of officer’s gun

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department’s Chief of Police spoke to our news partner KETK News on Wednesday after releasing bodycam footage of an altercation between one of their officers and a woman who allegedly discharged the officer’s gun while it remained in his holster.

According to a release from the department, officers responded to a theft call at a Dollar General. The situation then escalated when one of the suspects, Brianna Erwin, allegedly resisted arrest, causing an altercation to ensue. In a bodycam video released by the department, an officer says, “Let go of my gun” before the gun is discharged.

Tyler PD Chief Jimmy Toler spoke with KETK to clear the air and answer the public’s questions. “I can tell you from the point that we hire an individual, whether they attend our academy or they attend another academy that we’ve approved of, they receive hundreds and hundreds of hours of how to be a police officer including arrest control tactics, use of force procedures, all that,” Toler said. “Then annually, as they come back to us, they do all their qualifications and recertification. They do advanced use of force, they do use of force training here. It is something we take very seriously.” Continue reading Police chief stands by officers’ actions in arrest

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview ISD student was arrested after allegedly making continuous threats while off campus.

The Longview Police Department was made aware of the threats on Wednesday and charged the student with Terrorist Threat, a third-degree felony. The student was then taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center.

“The Longview Police Department remains committed to thoroughly investigating all threats made toward or on school campuses,” Longview PD said. ” Appropriated charges will be pursued in every case to ensure the safety of students.”

Anyone who may know of any suspicious activity is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1199 to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that STAAR testing could soon hear its final bell as Texas. As lawmakers move toward overhauling the annual exams, educators and parents alike say they fully support its end.

“The STAAR test is very stressful for small kids,” East Texas parent, Jourdan Ballou said. “Knowing that if you don’t pass the STAAR test, you cannot go to the next grade.”

House Bill 4 would change the test format from one test that lasts hours, to three exams taken over the year. Several school districts are also showing their support. Tyler ISD superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said the district is excited the bill passed the house and that they had a hand in its creation. Parents, too, believe the move would also help reduce their children’s test anxiety.

“I would support it because it would give them a chance to prepare the kids for not one big test but rather smaller tests,” East Texas parent James Sholar said. Continue reading East Texans react as STAAR testing ends in Texas