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TYLER — The University of Oxford Somerville College Choir concert at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler Tuesday night has been canceled. Due to the fire at Heathrow Airport last week, the group was not able to make their flight.

NEW LONDON, Texas – The West Rusk County Consolidated ISD is once again looking at voters to pass a proposed bond totaling $23,404,459. The funds would be used to build a new elementary school. This bond comes after voters rejected the district’s last two attempted bonds which aimed to fix aging or broken infrastructure, including mold and water damage, in the district’s schools. The district’s bond page breaks down what the new elementary school campus would feature, including a new music room and a multi-purpose gymnasium with a stage.
Continue reading West Rusk CCISD proposes bond for new school

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a contracted medical employee working at the Smith County Jail for allegedly bringing pills to an inmate according to our news partner KETK. Jessica Riley, 41 of Tyler, was working in the jail as a medication tech when she was arrested at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Officials said an investigation was started after investigators were given information claiming that Riley had been illegally dispensing controlled substances to an inmate.

The sheriff’s office said that investigators were able to review video that allegedly showed Riley passing something to an inmate from her medical cart.

Officials then searched the cell of Tyirese Ladale Dews, 24 of Tyler, who was arrested for the unrelated charge of promoting prostitution on March 6. Two tablets of Seroquel were found inside the bunkbed in Dews’ cell, according to a press release. Continue reading Smith County Jail medication tech arrested for delivering pills

UPDATE: The Carthage Police Department has arrested the suspect accused of hitting a 5-year-old child with their car on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the suspect, Jhavorry Crayton, was found in Longview on Thursday afternoon and was arrested. Crayton was taken to the Gregg County Jail and charged with collision involving injury, evading arrest and tamper or fabricating with physical evidence.

The child injured in the crash was identified to KETK as 5-year-old Jude Brown. Jude is now out of the hospital but will need surgery. Continue reading UPDATE: Suspect in hit-and-run that injured child arrested

MARSHALL (AP) — George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a successful businessman, died Friday night. He was 76. Foreman’s family announced his death on social media.

“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” his family wrote.

A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged. Continue reading Marshall native and heavyweight champ George Foreman, dies at 76

TRINITY – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, a 71-year-old man died on Friday morning in a fire that burned a mobile home in Trinity.

Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said James Barber, 71 of Trinity, died in a mobile home fire that happened on Clemons Street at around 5 a.m. on Friday.

According to Wallace, Trinity County law enforcement is investigating the cause of the fire.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that several counties across East Texas are seeing a higher risk of fires due to recent high winds and dry weather.

“Some of this is from people either just burning trash or trying to do controlled burns that get out of control with the current wind conditions that we’re experiencing,” South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief David Birdsong said. He says the high call numbers are already putting a strain on their crews and resources.

“We’re doing what’s called emergency staffing. What that means is we have individuals that are willing to come in and staff the stations and be ready at a moment’s notice.” Continue reading East Texas fire departments taking extra precautions

NACOGDOCHES -Our news partner, KETK, reports that charges have been upgraded for a 17-year-old accused of shooting a man in Nacogdoches on Thursday.

Nacogdoches PD said officers responded to N. Popp Street at around 1 p.m. on Thursday after residents reported hearing the sound of gunshots. When they arrived, officers found a man who had been shot at least two times in the front yard of a home. The man was able tell them about the shooting before he was taken out of town by EMS for treatment. The victim, now identified as Gerber Panteleon-Palencia, 33, of Nashville was taken to a Tyler hospital for surgery, but passed away from his injuries. He was visiting family in Nacogdoches when the shooting took place.

Hernan Cuarenta, 17 of Nacogdoches, was originally charged with aggravated assault and theft of a firearm. Those charges have now been upgraded to first-degree murder.Cuarenta being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail. Continue reading UPDATE: Nacogdoches Teen charged with first-degree murder

JACKSONVILLE – The City of Jacksonville was held a public pinning ceremony for their new police chief Steven Markasky. On Thursday, Markasky was sworn in as the 10th Jacksonville Police Chief by Mayor Tim McRae. Markasky replaced former Chief Joe Williams who was relieved of his duties in January.

Markasky is a 12-year veteran and has been the department’s assistant chief since April of 2024. One family friend said he was a shoe-in for the position. Markasky said he wants to continue to shape the image of the department in his time as a chief.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, Longview firefighters have been helping to put out fires all across Texas this past month. Those firefighters that were in Lubbock, helping to extinguish the wildfires in West Texas, have returned home while a new group has been sent to Amarillo to help put out the fires still burning near there as part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS).

Longview also sent a crew to Amarillo on that same day to help put out the Windmill Fire in Perryton fire which has burned over 23,000 acres of land. The crew is currently positioned in Plainview and are expected to remain their for the next two weeks.

“The Longview Fire Department would like to thank the community for all the support and prayers that have been given to our crews at home and away fighting fires,” the department said.

MARSHALL – According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after firearms and marijuana were found during the search of a home on Pamela Drive on
Thursday. The sheriff’s office said that Justin Alshun Jones, 38 of Marshall, was found inside the the home and arrested for felony arrest warrants. According to a post from the sheriff’s office, investigators then requested another search warrant in order to look for drugs at the residence.

Officials reported finding the following items during their second search: 2.5 pounds of marijuana, 71 grams of cocaine, $1,535 in cash, a Diamondback AR-15 5.56 rifle and a 9mm Ruger handgun

Jones was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance between 4 and 200 grams, possession of marijuana between 4 ounces and 5 pounds and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He’s currently being held in the Harrison County Jail on a $100,000 bond, according to jail records. The sheriff’s office said the drug charges Jones is facing could be upgraded since they allegedly happened in a designated drug-free zone.

WOOD COUNTY – The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man in Hainsville they consider armed and dangerous. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Walter Hall allegedly led officers on a vehicle chase after was was reportedly caught breaking into a home. Officers said that Hall reportedly crashed his vehicle near the intersection of FM 778 an FM 49 in Hainsville, near the Old Hainsville Baptist Church.

Hall is described as a white man who was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and white baseball cap. Officials remind homeowners that Wood County deputies, the Mineola Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and K9 units are currently searching the area. Anyone not living in the area is asked to stay away while the search is being conducted.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office asks if anyone has information on Walter Hall, to please call them at 903-763-2201.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the University of Texas at Tyler has appointed a new athletic director who has over 25 years of leadership experience in college athletics.

Dr. Sam Ferguson, who has spent the past 15 years serving as the athletic director at Abilene Christian University, has been selected as UT Tyler’s next athletic director. Prior to his time at ACU, Ferguson worked as director of athletics at Averett University. Before beginning his professional career, Ferguson received his bachelor’s degree from Averett, where he was also a member of the school’s basketball and golf teams. He went on to earn his Masters in Sports Management at Nova Southeastern University along with a doctorate from East Tennessee State University. Continue reading UT Tyler appoints new athletic director

UPDATE: Wood County Sheriff’s Office has reported that Kennedy has been found. WOOD COUNTY – Wood County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 82-year-old man who was last seen on Wednesday. According to Wood County Sheriff’s Office, a silver alert has been issued for Jerry Kennedy who was last seen near the 1600 Block of County Road 1560 in Alba at 6:15 p.m. Officials said Kennedy was last seen wearing a blue and white long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and black and red tennis shoes with a scar above his lip and on his forehead. Kennedy could be traveling in his truck.

Kennedy’s truck is a white, 2010 Ford F-150 with a Texas state License plate, number CFC9502. Anyone with information on Kennedy’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that officials are searching for a third suspect after a Van Zandt County home was burglarized twice on the same day.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a burglary that had already occurred. Deputies took a report of items taken from a residence and while speaking with the homeowner, officials believed the suspects would return to the residence and steal more items.

The deputies who responded to the call remained in the area and were alerted when the victim called 911 again to report the suspects had returned again. The victim and an acquaintance attempted to restrain the suspects, officials said, but one ran away while others fled in a vehicle. Continue reading Officials search for suspect after home burglarized

HUGHES SPRINGS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Hughes Springs daycare worker was arrested on Monday after investigators reportedly discovered a video of her sexually assaulting a child.

According to the arrest affidavit, the Hughes Springs Police Department began an investigation into the possible continuous sexual assault of a child by Benny Edward Littlepage. After searching Littlepage’s phone, officers found 4,000 nude photos and 1,000 videos of a girl under 18.

The document said that investigators discovered a video that occurring on Nov. 11, 2024, at 7:17 a.m. that showed a child while Samantha Michele Smith, 34 of Hughes Springs and Littlepage performed sexual acts on the child and with each other. Continue reading Daycare worker accused of sexually assaulting child

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two people were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after methamphetamine and a firearm were found inside a home.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies conducted a search warrant on a home off County Road 3816, where they discovered 9 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. Officials identified the people inside the home as Sara Jean Mulder and Dillon Austin Lambright.

According to our news partner, KETK, Lambright and Mulder were arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon while engaged in criminal activity.

NACOGDOCHES – A man was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to shooting a Nacogdoches police officer.

The incident occurred in December 2023 when the officer conducted a traffic stop, pulling over Jose Iraheta, the driver, and Gabriel Ramirez, a passenger. Ramirez proceeded to open fire on the officer before fleeing the scene.

According to reports from our news partner, KETK, Ramirez and the driver were found a few days later, and were arrested for aggravated assault against a public servant. Following his arrest, Ramirez was transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail. Continue reading Man sentenced to 50 years in prison after shooting police officer

MOUNT PLEASANT – A cockfighting ring involving hundreds of people was discovered in Mount Pleasant and, animal organizations said local authorities did nothing to stop it.

According to Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), over the weekend they presented to Titus County Sheriff’s Office with evidence of a cockfighting event, but deputies did nothing to stop it. The organizations said that representatives showed up to the cockfighting event, and took drone footage showing about 225 vehicles and people holding roosters. The groups claimed it was the biggest cockfighting event they have ever seen.

Our news partner, KETK, reports that four deputies showed up to the property after the organizations handed over evidence, but the groups said they feel more could have been done. Continue reading East Texas cockfighting ring discovered

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK and the Texas A&M webiste the Smith Co. 10-acre fire is 100% contained. Smith County ESD2 Chief Eric Greaser said crews were dispatched to 11340 Highway 64 W. at around 2:45 p.m. after a controlled fire got out of hand. The fire is 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Incident Viewer. The Texas A&M Forestry Service assisted local first responders.

“The wind shift can get off into the grasses that are now dry and with the low humidity, they [a fire] can really run faster than most of us could imagine,” Greaser said.

Greaser said the Fire Marshal’s office will be issuing a citation to a contractor next to the Northeast Texas Biker’s Church.

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, Womack is safe and has returned home.

LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)- The Lufkin Police Department is searching for a missing 11-year-old boy who was last seen Wednesday evening.

Zaviar Womack was last seen near Lufkin’s Garrett Primary school at around 5:15 p.m. Womack was wearing the shirt shown in the photograph along with blue jeans and glasses.

Photo courtesy of Lufkin Police Department

Anyone with information on Womack’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356.

NACOGDOCHES — According to our news partner KETK, a Mexican man, residing in Nacogdoches, pleaded guilty to federal immigration and firearms violations on Tuesday. 25-year-old Joel Bustamante Moreno was detained for selling multiple firearms, including a 9mm pistol equipped with a Glock switch, a device that once fixed to a pistol can make it capable of firing automatically. Officials said Moreno fled the scene when officers attempted to arrest him, wrecked a vehicle and ran to a residence where he was later arrested. Moreno has previously been deported in 2019 and 2020.

He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Moreno’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program combining all levels of law enforcement and the communities to keep neighborhoods safer. Several parties are part of the investigation including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the Nacogdoches Police Department.

TYLER – Lack of rain, combined with dry conditions and high winds have some counties in East Texas issuing burn bans. Our news partner KETK, has a running list of those counties. You can find that list here.

CANTON – A Van Zandt County contractor was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy that cost an electric company more than $2 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney Office’s of the Eastern District Court of Texas, James Derr, 55, was involved in a group conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton that diverted electrical equipment for financial gain. Our news partner, KETK, reports that for five years, Derr, Mitchell, and Burton reportedly worked together to steal circuit breakers and resell them to various buyers. Derr worked as an electrical contractor with J&D Electric, and Mitchell worked for Schneider Electric in Athens. Continue reading Man sentenced for $2M wire conspiracy fraud

TYLER – A Canton man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. James Derr, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle on March 18, 2025. Derr was also ordered to pay $2,615,585.93 in restitution.According to information presented in court, Derr, an electrical contractor with J&D Electric, was involved in a conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton to divert equipment for their own financial gain. Continue reading Van Zandt electrical contractor sentenced for wire fraud

EAST TEXAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed a new 62nd Judicial District court judge who will cover cases in Delta, Franklin, Hopkins and Lamar counties. According to our news partner KETK, William “Bill” Harris of Paris is the current County Court Judge for Lamar County and Abbott has selected him to fill the 62nd Judicial District court judge seat for a term that will last till Dec. 31, 2026.

His appointment as the 62nd Judicial District court judge will have to be approved by the Texas Senate before he can fill the role. If confirmed, Harris will fill the role until a permanent replacement for former judge Will Biard is elected. Continue reading Governor Abbott appoints 62nd Judicial District court judge