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TYLER – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a Trinity Valley Community College alumnus is making his Alma Mater proud as he has become a vital member of the world-famous Savannah Bananas production team.

The Savannah Bananas, which pride themselves on putting on the greatest show in sports, perform across the country where they combine baseball and entertainment to create a unique experience for the entire family. The group even appeared on 60 Minutes last month to promote their unique brand of baseball.

Jesse Collins has become an instrumental part of the Savannah Bananas’ success and growing popularity, as he is now considered the production mastermind behind the team. Following his graduation from TVCC, Collins began working on the production side of things for well-known artists, including Thomas Rhett and Mariah Carey. Continue reading TVCC alum joins Savannah Bananas

LUFKIN — Texas farmers and ranchers may get a new lifeline from state lawmakers. The Texas House has approved a bill that expands one of the state’s most successful loan programs for the agriculture industry. That legislation, House Bill 43, is now up for debate in the Senate.

The relief can’t come quickly enough, said state Rep. Stan Kitzman, a Pattison Republican and the bill’s author.

“What House Bill 43 does is it makes funds available to help these producers hang on,” Kitzman said. “It’s not subsidies like the federal program. It takes an existing program that’s already at the Texas Department of Agriculture — the Young Farmer program — and expands that.” Continue reading Texas farmers could have greater access to low-interest loans under a bill the Senate is considering

TITUS COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Titus County man was arrested for child grooming on Thursday after admitting to sexually touching a minor.

According to an arrest affidavit from Titus County, Juan Pablo Malpica Hernandez was arrested for child grooming. On April 23, an officer talked to the minor’s mother, who claimed that Hernandez touched her daughter’s private parts. The minor told her mother that Hernandez made inappropriate comments towards her, showed her naked pictures of himself, and touched her at a church in March.

During an interview with officials, Hernandez allegedly said the minor touched him with her feet and hands under a table two separate times. Hernandez also said the minor made an unknown comment towards him, which made him feel the need to show the minor a picture of himself, officials said.

Hernandez is currently in custody and placed on a $500,000 bond, according to jail records.

TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, a UT Tyler School of Nursing professor and a Tyler fitness center have collaborated for more than five years to host weekly rock-steady boxing classes to improve the physical and mental health of people with Parkinson’s.

In honor of April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, KETK News visited with UT Tyler Nursing School Professor, Dr. Melinda Hermanns and Owner of Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness, Brandon Jones, who created a rock-steady boxing class for people with Parkinson’s to help them find a community and improve their quality of life.

The rock-steady boxing class is offered multiple times of week for people to connect with others with Parkinson’s or similar diseases, and complete a wide range of interactive workouts with Coach Jones. Two different levels of classes are offered, and each meets with people where they’re at, regardless of their mental and physical abilities. Continue reading A workout program to help East Texans with Parkinson’s disease

NACOGDOCHES – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Nacogdoches Police Department is investigating a murder that occurred on Monday afternoon.

According to police, at around 4 p.m., officials received 911 calls of gunshots in the Eastwood Terrace off Woden Road. Once officers arrived, they were directed by residents to where they believed gunshots had been heard. In a wooded area, officials located a body later identified as Jermiah Jarmma Warren, 19 of Nacogdoches.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 936-560-4636 (INFO) or the NPD Investigations Division at 936-559-2624.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, friends of fallen officer, Sam Lively and Dakota Hunter are pleading to drivers to be aware of bikers on the road.

Tyler Police Department officer, Sam Lively died from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on April 26. Officials said a vehicle attempted to change lanes on Loop 323, and struck the motorcycle. Lively died later at the hospital from his injuries.

“He always lit up the room when he walked in,” Savannah Ihrer, friend of Lively said. “Any time you saw him, whether he was in uniform or not in uniform, if he walked around the corner, it was like the light in the room got brighter.”

In two months, Ihrer lost Lively and Dakota Hunter who also died in a motorcycle crash in March. Continue reading Tyler raises awareness on motorcycle safety after fatal crashes

TYLER – East Texas Representative Nathaniel Moran of Tyler spoke in Washington on Monday to give his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. According to our new partner KETK, Moran started his comments at the House GOP media event by discussing Trump’s actions on the border.

“President Trump has shown strength from day one, not just domestically but internationally to enforce the rule of law, to remind other countries and other people groups that we have a sovereign and secure border,” said Moran. “We’re going to enforce the rules here. We want to encourage legal immigration but illegal immigration is no longer going to be stood for.”

Next, Moran commented on the economy’s reaction to the tariff’s that Trump announced earlier this year by saying that the United States would see positive effects with in the next six months to a year.

“Right now we may see the polls dip a little bit because there’s a little uncertainty in the market, but that’s just a short term reaction to a little uncertainty about not understanding, how to catch up. And frankly, I think it’s because the speed at which President Trump is moving, the things that he is doing so quickly with such effect,” Moran said. “We’re going to see some positive effects next in the next six months and in the next year, for sure, with the economy, with what’s going on the world stage. We’re seeing countries flood to America, willing to renegotiate those tariff deals simply because President Trump said ‘enough is enough’ and so 75-plus countries are here to do that, to make sure that we have reciprocity, to make sure the American business owner and the American business, the American taxpayer is first not international businesses.” Continue reading Rep. Nathaniel Moran reacts to Trump’s first 100 days in office

LAKE TYLER – Searches came to a tragic end as the body of 19-year-old Eli Swinney being recovered by a team of divers Monday morning according to our news partner KETK. Recovery efforts started Sunday evening after a 911 call for a water rescue during sunset. Smith County Emergency Services District Two believes Swinney fell over the front of a pontoon boat and did not come back up.

The search was called off around 1:45 pm and resumed Monday morning giving divers time to regroup and re-interview witnesses. Rescue crews were in the water by 11 am and by 11:15 am had located and recovered Swinney body.

“We made multiple passes, and we pinged an area that we felt was pretty promising to be the victim,” Division Chief of Training and EMS Charles Clanton said. “And then once that was marked, we put divers in the water, and within 2 to 3 minutes of them entering the water, we had made a location.”

As family and loved ones waited by the marina for answers, the mood changed as every minute went by. Continue reading Divers find body of missing 19-year-old in Lake Tyler

SMITH COUNTY – A man was arrested by the Tyler Police Department last week after evading arrest and committing aggravated assault against a public servant, according to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK.

The incident started on April 23 when two officers from the Tyler Police Department began to pursue a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by Ougist Williams. The driver was traveling down Jacksonville Highway when officers who believed the Nissan had been previously used in an aggravated assault case began to pursue the vehicle, according to an affidavit. During the pursuit the affidavit stated Williams struck a Tyler PD patrol truck with his car before his vehicle came to a stop. After stopping the Nissan, Williams fled from the scene and was later found in a creek where he was placed under arrest.

Following his arrest, Williams was charged with two counts of evading arrest and one count of committing aggravated assault against a public servant.

TYLER – Officials have recovered a body from Lake Tyler believed to be the 19-year-old missing man. Family has been notified, Smith County ESDS2 officials said, and the body has been taken to the funeral director. The man has ben identified as Eli Swinney, according to Smith County ESD2. Nikki Simmons, the Smith County Community Outreach Coordinator, confirmed that Swinney was found on Monday morning at around 11:15 a.m. Simmons also provided a reason why the search was paused early Monday morning. “We had to take into consideration getting some clear minds out there, and we had such a large grid and really weren’t getting close to anything,” Simmons said. “In addition, because it was such late hours, we really weren’t getting a clear picture of where we needed to look.”
Simmons also confirmed no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

QUITMAN – Our news partner KETK reports that a memorial tree was planted on Monday morning in honor of Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in an 18 wheeler crash while on duty earlier this month.

During a ceremony at the Wood County Justice Center, the ladies of the District Clerk’s Office dedicated a memorial tree that aims to honor Pollard’s sacrifice and cement her legacy.

The DCO hopes the tree stands as a living tribute to Pollard’s commitment, courage and selfless service to Wood County citizens. Pollard’s memory speaks integrity, dedication and service to others and the DCO extends its deepest sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.

“Deputy Pollard was a true public servant whose bravery will never be forgotten,” District Clerk of Wood County Suzy Wright said. “This tree symbolizes life and strength — values that Deputy Pollard embodied every day. It is a humble but heartfelt tribute from the ladies of our office.”

JACKSONVILLE – A military veteran was provided with a free new roof by an East Texas roofing company in honor of his service.

Shelley Cleaver, who has lived in his home in Jacksonville since 1968, was looking for affordable ways to fix his damaged roof when he came in contact with Yosemite Roofing. After coming out of his home and inspecting the condition of Cleaver’s roof, the company agreed to provide him with a brand-new roof for no charge.

Josiah Rosebury, the owner of Yosemite Roofing, claimed that after inspecting Cleaver’s roof, he felt obligated to provide him with a new roof and spoke about the gratitude he felt after helping him. This was the first time that Rosebury has provided a client with a free roof, and said it is something his company will do more of in the future. Continue reading East Texas company gives veteran a free roof

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 24-year-old man that was reported missing on Sunday.

According to the sheriff’s office, Cameron Calvin Weaver, 24, was last seen near the intersection of U.S. Highway 259 and FM 2664 wearing a light colored shirt and shorts and is likely carrying a backpack. He is around five feet and 6 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and has a full beard.

Officials said Weaver could possibly be walking northbound, and if anyone has any information about his whereabouts to contact dispatch at 936-559-2607.

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department said they’re currently investigating a shooting that left two people injured at a park in Lufkin on Friday.

According to our news partner, KETK, officers responded to a local hospital at around 11 p.m. on Friday night and spoke with two victims who had non-life-threatening injuries. The victims told the officers they ere meeting two other people at a local park to sell a cell phone when one of the people they met showed them a gun.

One victim was shot in the right hand and the other victim was shot in the stomach. The two men have been transferred to hospitals outside of Lufkin to be treated.

Lufkin PD said they are investigating the shooting and they don’t believe there is any threat to the public.

WHITEHOUSE – Smith County first responders will resume searching for the 19-year-old man who went missing from a boat on Lake Tyler East Monday morning. According to Smith County Emergency Services District #2 and our news partner KETK, their goal is resume searching for the 19-year-old at 9 a.m. Monday morning after game wardens interview the witnesses again.

Officials said the man fell off the front of a pontoon boat near the channel between Lake Tyler East and Lake Tyler just before 8 p.m. on Sunday. ESD #2 said they had three boats in the water searching for the man along with the Longview Fire Department’s dive team on Sunday.

Officials are asking the public to avoid the area while they search for the man.

TYLER — An off-duty Tyler police officer has died following a Friday evening motorcycle crash. According to a release from the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, at 6 p.m. officers responded to a crash on Troup Highway, just north of Loop 323. A preliminary investigation indicates that Officer Sam Lively, who was riding a motorcycle, was traveling south on Troup Highway in the outside lane.  Another vehicle, also heading south in the inside lane, attempted to change lanes near Loop 323 and struck the motorcycle, officials said.

Lively was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries, according to the police department. He was off duty at the time of the crash. Lively had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.

“Officer Lively was an amazing young man who wanted to serve the Tyler community,” the department said in a statement. “He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow officers.” Continue reading Off-duty Tyler police officer dies in motorcycle crash

CANTON – The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that Interstate 20 will be closed heading east and west near Canton starting on Sunday night. Our news partners at KETK reports that starting at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 crews will close I-20 so they can install a new bridge deck at Farm to Markey Road 17, which is northeast of Canton on I-20 in Van Zandt County. Traffic on I-20 will be redirected onto service roads until the work is completed at around 5 a.m. on Monday, April 28.

VAN ZANDT- Residents of Van Zandt County have started taking notice of the effects a lithium battery storage project had on their town. Most are worried about the potential for a lithium battery fire and the lack of resources for local first responders according to our news partner KETK.

They worry that the effects of the lithium batteries could also affect their soil, air and property values. White is taking the fight to Austin hoping to gain the attention of lawmakers and show them Texans support securing the grid. While White and others are fighting against the implementation of these projects, experts in the field said battery storage is exactly what Texas needs to stabilize the energy grid.

“At a high level, battery storage is fundamental for the grid,” Texas Advanced Energy Alliance Executive Director Matt Bomer said. Continue reading Van Zandt County lithium battery project raises concerns

NACOGDOCHES – An East Texas food truck was struck by an 18-wheeler this afternoon in Nacogdoches according to our news partner KETK.

Ruby’s, a Tyler-based restaurant which offers Mexican cuisine to East Texans, reported on Facebook that their truck was parked and serving customers when it was struck by an 18-wheeler. The business said those involved in the crash have been taken to a local hospital to receive evaluation and care. Ruby’s is asking East Texans to pray for everyone involved in the crash. The business also said their Nacogdoches location will be closed for the remainder of the day out of respect for those affected.

RUSK COUNTY – A 62-year-old man from Longview has been convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child after DNA evidence connected him to a case from 1992, according to our news partner KETK.

David Roy Mundt, 62 of Longview, was arrested for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Aug. 9, 2024 by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County Jail records show. Mundt’s arrest came after the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Garland obtained a DNA profile from a rape kit taken in a 1992 child sexual assault case involving a seven-year-old, according to Rusk County District Attorney Micheal E. Jimerson.

“This case involved recent DNA advancements that permit us to unmask the monsters and serial child rapist hiding among us,” Jimerson said. Continue reading Longview man gets life in prison for child sexual assault

TYLER — A man was arrested in Tyler on Wednesday after a 13-year-old girl told her teacher that a family member was sexually abusing her. According to the arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, the sheriff’s office was contacted by a CPS investigator who received a report about a 13-year-old girl who told her teacher that she was being sexually abused by a family member. Officials said on Tuesday, forensic interviews by detectives were conducted at the Smith County Texas Child Advocacy Center with the 13-year-old girl and her sister. “During the forensic interview with one girl, she disclosed that Arnulfo Ramierz-Salas, had been sexually abusing her since she was seven years old,” the affidavit said. “She remembers being alone in her bedroom in Tyler when Salas walked in and told her to ‘hush’, pulled up her shirt and began touching her underneath her clothing.” Continue reading Man arrested after 13-year-old confides sexual abuse to teacher

TRINIDAD — Our news partners at KETK report a Southeast Texas man was sentenced on Thursday to federal prison after stealing funds from Trinidad ISD to purchase trips to Walt Disney World. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas, Brandon Delane Looney, 39, of Orange, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds and was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Officials said Looney stole almost $340,000 from Trinidad ISD between 2017 and 2023 while serving as Trinidad ISD’s business manager. Continue reading Former school employee sentenced after stealing $300K

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police are searching for a man accused of placing Easter eggs filled with marijuana around the city as part of a scavenger hunt.

According to a release from the Lufkin Police Department, a resident tipped officials after they saw several Facebook posts regarding the eggs. The suspect, Avante Nicholson, allegedly posted four photos showing each location as hints to find the eggs.

“He also posted a photo of five plastic eggs in the seat of a vehicle. Officers found four eggs and believed he had not placed the fifth,” Lufkin PD said. “However, the fifth egg was found by a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park the following day and brought to the police station.”

The Easter eggs were found at three city parks and a local motel. The police department said the marijuana totaled more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. Officials also found several posts referencing selling narcotics. Continue reading Marijuana-filled Easter eggs found around Lufkin

TYLER –State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola is leading the charge at the Capitol when it comes to pro-life. Filing two of three bills up for vote this session according to our news partner KETK.
He filed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, as a way to clarify some of the exceptions under the state’s current abortion law. Especially for some doctors who were confused and scared to treat their patients.

The bill was first heard in the state affairs committee at the end of March. After valuable feedback, Hughes went to work with the Texas Medical Association to clear up the confusion on who would be charged and when they would face consequences. The amendments also took out the word “Life-threatening” when referring to medical emergencies. The amended bill also adds required education for lawyers and doctors to better understand Texas abortion laws. After getting a unanimous green light, the amended bill will now make its way to the Senate floor to be discussed and voted on before the 89th Legislative Session ends on June 2nd. Continue reading Amended Life of the Mother Act unanimously passes committee

MOFFETT – According to our news partner KETK, an Angelina County resident was found dead after a vehicle drove through his house Thursday morning. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call where a Chevrolet pickup drove through a residence in the Moffett area. Police say the vehicle left the roadway, striking a tree then smashing into the victim’s home.

Police discovered the body of 70 year-old Robert Bole after being struck by the truck inside the residence.

TYLER – The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be this Saturday and will give East Texans a chance to safely dispense with any prescription drugs they may have.

According to our news partner KETK, the event will take place at the Athens and Tyler police stations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. East Texans are encouraged to attend to dispose of prescription drugs that may be unused or unwanted. People will also be educated about the potential dangers of prescription medication.

Those attending can bring different kinds of pills to drop off, including solid dosage pharmaceutical products. However, no illicit substances will be included, such as marijuana or methamphetamine.

Officers will also be collecting vapes, pens and other e-cigarette devices, and they request the batteries be removed before they are turned in.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a man was arrested on Monday, after he admitted to having suspected heroin in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

A member of the Van Zandt County’s Criminal Interdiction Team pulled over Cedric Earl Thompson for committing multiple moving violations, officials said. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy began questioning Thompson when he admitted to possessing heroin in his vehicle, leading the deputy to request a K9 unit from Wills Point PD and conduct a search.

“The K9 alerted the Deputy and Officer to the presence of illegal narcotics, resulting in a search of the vehicle,” officials said. “During the search, suspected heroin was located inside the vehicle.”

Thompson was arrested and booked in the Van Zandt County Detention Center for possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still ongoing.