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TYLER — Doses of Narcan, the lifesaving nasal spray used to reverse overdoses and effects of fentanyl poisoning, are now available for students and staff of the University of Texas at Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, University officials said they are launching the initiative to make Narcan available on a regular basis in observance of the first Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month.

“Fentanyl is the No. 1 killer of Americans ages 18-45. Fentanyl-related deaths in Texas increased over 600% from 2019 to 2023, taking the lives of more than 7,000 innocent Texans in just 4 years,” the Office of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said. “This crisis affects the lives of everyone, tearing away friends and family members from their loved ones.” Continue reading Free Narcan initiative launches at UT Tyler campuses

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, Smith County election officials are reminding voters to leave their campaign gear at home when they head to the voting booth. The Texas election code is clear, stating a person can not wear political gear when heading to vote. The law prohibits political shirts, hats, signs or other campaign gear in a 100-foot area around polling stations. It’s a crime called electioneering. The any clothing worn can’t express preference for any candidate, measure or political party.

In the first week of early voting, Smith County poll workers said they saw a lot of people wearing political shirts and caps when they showed up to vote. Smith County voter, Craig Pearson believes people should wear what they want to the polls. “I don’t feel that’s right. I don’t think it is. What are they afraid of, that they’re going to actually see an opposing opinion? Not everybody’s the same, the world’s different,” said Craig Pearson, Smith County voter.

In San Antonio, things turned violent over the weekend. Continue reading Officials warn voters to not wear political gear to polls

LONGVIEW — A grand jury found a Louisiana man guilty of murdering an East Texas deputy on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty.

Gregory Newson, was accused of shooting and killing William Chris Dickerson, a Panola County deputy during a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve in 2019. Newson was accused of fleeing the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash. The prosecutors asked the jury to look at the evidence in this case when making their decision. During closing statements, the state reviewed evidence, replayed body and dash camera video body which depicted the deputy being shot and Newson driving away.

“Your verdict today is not going to bring Chris Dickerson back,” Wes May, a state lawyer said. “It’s not going to fill the hole left in the shield that these men and women who testified in this case and who Chris himself represented, but it will be one step toward taking justice.”

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) released a statement on their Facebook page regarding the arrest of Benjamin Dale Hawkins, Jr., 45 of Marshall. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charges of Possessing Dangerous Drugs, Credit/Debit Card Abuse, Burglary of Vehicles, and Theft of Materials (Aluminum/Bronze/Copper/Brass valued under $20,000). Authorities were led to Hawkins after a business reported a man “acting suspiciously”. MPD arrived at Hawkins’ residence to question him. During the encounter, Hawkins was found in possession of prescription medication bottles that were not in his name, as well as multiple credit cards belonging to other individuals.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that a father and son are dead due to an apparent murder-suicide. The Tyler Police Department arrived at the scene around 1:25 p.m. and identified both victims. The son is Anthony Gyallai, 45, and the father is Otto Gyallai, 88. Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh announced that a preliminary investigation helped conclude that Anthony shot Otto before shooting himself. Otto’s wife was asleep in the bedroom and did not hear anything. She is physically unharmed, according to Erbaugh. The investigation is still ongoing and any updates will be posted.

LONGVIEW– Our KETK News partner reports that A jury found Gregory Newson guilty for the murder of Panola County deputy William Chris Dickerson on Monday afternoon. Trial started on Monday.

Gregory Newson’s trial started in Gregg County on Wednesday morning.

It was moved out of Panola County, where the accused crime took place, after a judge determined that an impartial and fair trial could not happen there. The state is seeking the death penalty and Newson has pleaded not guilty.

Newson was charged and is accused of shooting and killing Panola County Sheriff’s deputy William Chris Dickerson. He is also accused of fleeing the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Louisiana back in 2019.
Continue reading Man Found Guilty of Murdering Panola County Deputy

ATHENS – Our news partners at KETK report a Palestine man is behind bars for a Thursday hotel stabbing where one was hospitalized and a bloodied room with signs of a struggle was left behind, a warrant said. According to the Athens Police Department, officers responded to a stabbing at around 2:15 a.m. at the Victorian Inn hotel on 1803 SH 31 East in Athens. The warrant said police found the 37-year-old victim on the sidewalk outside of room 118 with stab wounds to the face, chest and abdomen. The victim told officers he had gotten into an argument inside the room with his acquaintance identified as 50-year-old Kerry Barnett, of Palestine. The documents state the victim told police Barnett had stabbed him with a knife and was still inside room 118. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment, a probable cause affidavit said. Continue reading Athens hotel stabbing leads to arrest

LONGVIEW – Charges are pending following a Friday night domestic shooting where a homeowner’s relative made forced entry and sustained life-threatening injuries, the Longview Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a domestic call shortly before 11 p.m. in the 600 block of Ridgelea Avenue where they found a 38-year-old man with a gunshot wound.

Investigators said the shooting was a result of a fight between family members. Police said the man who was shot made forced entry into a family members home and was seriously injured after the resident shot him. Police said the man was taken to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and charges are pending.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department (LPD) released a statement saying they responded to a Sunday evening shooting involving two unidentified men. The two involved reportedly know each other and it occurred in a Lear Park parking lot. LPD also stated that the shooting is under investigation and anyone who has information regarding the shooting is being urged to contact LPD.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the cause of a fire that burned a private hanger at the East Texas Regional Airport on Saturday night.

According to our news partner KETK, the fire was reported at around 8 p.m. on Saturday. The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene and found light smoke coming from a hanger and when they entered the hanger they found “heavy fire conditions.”

The East Texas Regional Airport Fire Department, the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department, the Longview Fire Department and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Airport Fire unit were able to put out the fire by 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Russell said that the private hanger and it’s contents were burned in the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as the Gregg County Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to conduct interviews.

TYLER – As we get closer to election day, the Texas Senate race is on and Senator Ted Cruz made several stops in East Texas along his campaign trail. According to our news partner KETK, Senator Cruz visited two local cities, stopping first in Nacogdoches at CC’s Smokehouse. 411 East Texans crowded into the restaurant on Friday to hear him speak. Cruz and his team then moved on to the city of Tyler in Smith County where he greeted local voters.

He spoke to the packed rooms about his list of accomplishments over the last 12 years in Washington and on making the economy stronger for everyone and keeping Texas like Texas. At both stops Cruz said this is a race unlike any other which makes East Texas vital for voter turnout.

“I worked hand in hand with Donald Trump to secure the boarder and we achieved incredible success, we produced the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years,” Cruz said. Continue reading Ted Cruz campaigns in Nacogdoches, Tyler ahead of Election Day

LUFKIN – Since 1980, the Lufkin Mall has been a gem for deep East Texas shopping. Now, according to our news partner KETK, the building, along with the 32 acre property, is for sale. The estimated minimum bid is $1,028,811.78. Documents said beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 5, the county will sell to the highest bidder. The Angelina Tax Collector’s Office said the mall’s parent company owes several county entities taxes that total more than $1,000,000. Over 50 stores have called the building along with an AMC Theatre.

TATUM – Improvised explosive devices, firearms and suspected drugs were found in an East Texas home recently leading to the arrest of a Tatum man on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK.

The sheriff’s office started investigating allegations, earlier this month, that improvised explosive devices were being made and stored at a Tatum property on County Road 2192. A search warrant was obtained and on Oct. 7, the sheriff’s office, Tatum Police Department and the Constable Precinct 2 Office searched the property. Officials said two improvised explosive devices were found during the search and the Tyler office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted to secure the devices. Several firearms, suspected marijuana and suspected methamphetamines were also reportedly found.

As a result of the search, arrest warrants were obtained for 65 year-old Ronald Martin for possession of prohibited weapons and controlled substances.

TEXARKANA – Our news partners at KETK report the Texarkana Police Department arrested two women on Thursday following accusations that they beat their roommate’s children. According to a release, Texarkana PD was contacted by the mother of three children who reported that she had left her children in the care of her roommates while she went to work. The mother reported that when she returned from work, her children told her that her roommates had beaten them with a belt and a stick, police said. Police said that “all three [children] had bruises and whelps on their buttocks and all down their legs.” Continue reading Two women arrested for beating roommate’s children

LIBERTY CITY — The Texas Tribune reports Zachary Carnes is a government professor at Kilgore College but these days, he says, he feels more like a “traveling preacher.” When he first started at the community college in East Texas, he stood in front of a wide array of adults, those who just graduated high school and those looking for a new direction in life. Now he finds himself driving in his pickup truck between high school campuses teaching a course on government to teenagers. Continue reading East Texas high schoolers transforming Kilgore College

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) and his challenger Rep. Colin Allred (D-Tx) are making what could be their last East Texas campaign stops of the year on Friday. Allred will be stopping in Crockett at around noon on Friday near an oil well in town. Later that night, he’ll be campaigning with Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Beyonce down in Houston. Cruz will be stopping at CC’s Smokehouse in Nacogdoches at 3:30 p.m. and then he’ll be in Tyler’s 1836 Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. To learn more, visit Ted Cruz or Collin Allred’s websites online.

LUFKIN– Our KETK news partners report that drivers are asked to avoid a portion of College Drive in Lufkin due to a wreck involving two 18-wheelers.

No injuries were reported in the wreck, but traffic delays are expected. College Drive from Daniel McCall Drive to South First Street will be closed for several hours Friday as officials clean up the scene.

According to the city of Lufkin, a car hauler and a commercial truck holding sand were in a wreck around 5:10 a.m. on the southbound side of U.S. 59 and South First Street. Due to the car hauler blocking the road, inbound traffic on College Drive is blocked. While traffic at the intersection of College Drive and South First is moving, the city said southbound traffic is reduced to one lane.

As the day goes on and cleanup continues, some lanes may need to be closed at various times, especially southbound lanes. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

LONGVIEW – Trial started on Monday for Gregory Newson who is accused of killing a Panola County Sheriff’s deputy William Chris Dickerson, and fleeing the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Louisiana back in 2019. . According to our news partner KETK, it was moved out of Panola County, where the accused crime took place, after a judge determined that an impartial and fair trial could not happen there. The state is seeking the death penalty and Newson has pleaded not guilty.

In Gregg County court on Wednesday morning, several witnesses were called to the stand, including former Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake and deputy Dickerson’s partner at the time. Lake described his experience the night after one of his deputies was shot, becoming emotional. Testimonies from several first responders who arrived to the scene were heard as well.

Body camera footage and dash camera footage of the night, showed the deputy being shot and the accused driving away was shown in court as evidence.

BROWNSBORO – Brownsboro ISD has a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the ballot for the current election cycle, which could increase school funding if passed. According to our news partner KETK, the VATRE is distinctly not a bond and will adjust the school’s tax rate to make way for day-to-day operational costs without increasing taxpayer costs.

Brownsboro ISD is hoping that voters approve the VATRE, that will increase the district’s Maintenance and Operations tax rate by 3.17 cents and in return decrease the Interest Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents. Continue reading Brownsboro ISD tax rate adjustment on ballot for current election

TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) and his challenger Rep. Colin Allred (D-Tx) are making what could be their last East Texas campaign stops of the year on Friday. Our news partner KETK is reporting that Allred will be stopping in Crockett at around noon on Friday near an oil well in town. Later that night, he’ll be campaigning with Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Beyonce down in Houston.

Cruz will be stopping at CC’s Smokehouse in Nacogdoches at 3:30 p.m. and then he’ll be in Tyler’s 1836 Restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

To learn more, visit the Ted Cruz or Collin Allred websites online.

WOOD COUNTY – Wood County Sheriff’s Office reports that early Thursday morning, chainsaws and firearms were part of the items stolen from unlocked vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, authorities ask residents to lock their vehicles and limit the amount valuables left inside their vehicles. They also remind everyone that the suspects in this case are armed and are considered dangerous.

WCSO said the burglaries Thursday morning occurred in the 2370 series of County Roads and 1600 series of County Roads near Alba-Golden ISD.
Continue reading Wood County organized crime suspects considered dangerous

HOPKINS COUNTY – Our KETK news partner reports that more than 12 East Texas counties have been targets of vehicle burglaries in recent weeks where firearms were stolen. Now as burglaries return to the area, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said some firearms were recovered from being smuggled into Mexico.

According to the sheriff’s office, the group that stole items from unlocked vehicles in Hopkins and surrounding counties is sending more groups to burglarize again.

“They have hit our county once but we expect them to come back,” Hopkins County officials said.
Continue reading Stolen firearms almost smuggled to Mexico

PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, the UIL has voted to remove Westwood Panthers coach Richard Bishop from the regular season, post season games and will remain in probation for the 2025-2026 school year. However the UIL committee said Bishop can participate in football activities next year. This comes after allegations that Bishop allegedly carried out a plan to record their opponents signals, a plan that the DEC allegedly said was “intentional, serious and egregious.”

TYLER – Two dozen veterans are back in East Texas on Wednesday night after returning from an all-expense-paid trip to our nation’s capital, according to our news partners at kETK. 24 East Texas veterans landed from their ‘Heroes Flight’ at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Wednesday night. The flight is an all-expense-paid trip by Brookshire’s Grocery Company to Washington, D.C. This is the 20th Heroes Flight and the first since the pandemic, with more than 700 applications submitted. The East Texas community gave loud cheers at the welcome home celebration for the brave veterans who fought for our freedom. Continue reading Tyler welcomes veterans home from Heroes Flight

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK say two people died in a motorcycle wreck near Whitehouse Wednesday afternoon. According to preliminary information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a passenger vehicle was going south on FM 756 while a motorcycle was heading north on the same road. DPS said the car tried to make a left turn into a private driveway and failed to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist. Two people on the motorcycle were taken to a hospital where they later died. DPS will not yet release the identities of those involved.

TEXARKANA – Our news partners at KETK report a 17-year-old was taken to an out-of-state hospital after being found with several gunshot wounds in Texarkana on Thursday. Officers were on their way to investigate a shooting at 2:15 a.m. in the 1500 block of Milam Street when they got another 911 call saying a victim was found in front of an apartment near the scene. Police reportedly started lifesaving measures on the teen, who they say “had been shot multiple times.” The teen was taken to Wadley Regional Hospital before being transferred to an Arkansas hospital. His condition is unknown as of Thursday at 10 a.m. “Our detectives are investigating and working to find out what happened and identify the person who did this,” Texarkana Police said.

TYLER — The City of Tyler approved a $4,429,876 Capital Improvement Project on Wednesday to address drainage and erosion. According to our news partner KETK, the city says the project will focus on improving drainage on Keaton Avenue which they say “has been a focus for several years due to erosion and flooding residents have experienced.” The contract with Reynolds and Kay was approved on Wednesday.

“The project will focus on a drainage area that collects storm water from approximately 248 acres near Pollard Park and extends towards Donnybrook Avenue and East Southeast Loop 323. Storm water is precipitation that does not seep into the ground but runs off into our storm drain systems, where it eventually flows into our streams and lakes,” the City of Tyler said.

The project is being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

TYLER – The City of Tyler approved a $4,429,876 Capital Improvement Project on Wednesday to address drainage and erosion. According to our news partner KETK, the project will focus on improving drainage on Keaton Avenue which they say “has been a focus for several years due to erosion and flooding residents have experienced.” The contract with Reynolds and Kay was approved on Wednesday.

“The project will focus on a drainage area that collects stormwater from approximately 248 acres near Pollard Park and extends towards Donnybrook Avenue and East Southeast Loop 323. Stormwater is precipitation that does not seep into the ground but runs off into our storm drain systems, where it eventually flows into our streams and lakes,” the City of Tyler said. Continue reading Tyler approves $4.4M contract to improve drainage

GREGG COUNTY — The East Texas Food Bank in Longview got a $50,000 donation Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Atmos Energy provided $2 million to food banks for Hunger Action Month in September, with East Texas getting a part of the goods. The ETFB said the money will go a long way by providing 250,000 meals to people in five local counties.

“Hunger takes a community to really solve,” ETFB Chief Development Officer Tim Butler said. “One in six East Texans are food insecure. That includes one in four children. So it’s more than just the East Texas Food Bank trying to solve it themselves; partners like Atmos Energy really are the ones that are going to help turn the tide and solve this problem going forward.”

ETFB’s Longview Resource Center served 6,600 families with more than 1.1 million meals last year. Continue reading Longview food bank receives $50k donation