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LONGVIEW — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman has become the target of social media users who blame her for Peanut the squirrel’s death. The mother of two is now sharing her side of the story in an attempt to clear her name.

Mark Longo, the man who rescued Peanut, posted that a raid had been conducted at his home by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, who took Peanut and Fred the raccoon. The raid was conducted after the DEC received “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pet.”

Later, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed that Peanut and Fred had been euthanized after biting one of the investigators issuing a need to conduct a rabies test, that would later come back as negative.Longo took out his frustrations online and posted: “Well internet, you WON,” Longo posted. “You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.” Continue reading Longview woman accused in Peanut the Squirrel death

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council has voted to approve an ordinance to require owners to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats. According to our news partner KETK, the step was taken by the council in order to fix their stray animal problem and prevent overcrowding. The council voted 6-1 to implement a new ordinance and enact pet and breeder permits for owners of loose dogs and cats.

“It really has the ability, like a pebble in the in the pond, to reverberate throughout East Texas,” said Kelly Heitkamp, an animal welfare attorney.

The Longview Animal Advisory committee worked for months to find a solution to overcrowding and the safety of their residents. The ordinance will require owners of stray dogs and cats to be sterilized. Sterilization requirements and the intact pet permit include exemptions such as infertility or chronic health issues, according to the city. Continue reading City of Longview approves spay and neuter ordinance

TYLER — A 70-year-old man from California is now behind bars for the sexual assault of an Irving woman. The man was busted in Tyler. Irving police say Patrick Hoversten was caught on camera pushing his way into a business and forcing a woman into a back room to sexually assault her. Hoversten is a truck driver from Sonoma, California. Public records show the suspect has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1975, including multiple felony charges and a charge for indecent exposure, which he spent time in prison for since it was a repeat offense. Hoversten is facing aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault charges

TEXARKANA- Our news parner, KETK, reports that a Texarkana police officer was injured Thursday morning while working a I-30 crash when an intoxicated driver hit his patrol vehicle.

Officer Kevin Burk was working at the scene of a westbound I-30 rollover crash and parked his vehicle across the highway to divert traffic, the police department said. According to Texarkana PD, Burk was inside the unit flashing his lights when 30-year-old Matthew Patterson crashed into the side of the vehicle. Police said Patterson ignored all flashing lights and warning and was arrested for drinking while intoxicated. Burk was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and has since been released, the police department said.

“This serves as yet another reminder to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been drinking,” the Texarkana Police Department said. “Too many tragic things could happen in a heartbeat. It’s simply not worth the risk.”

The department said Patterson is sitting behind bars at the Bi-State Jail.

TYLER – A Longview woman has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl resulting in death in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Rebecca Diane Merkel, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. According to information presented in Court, Merkel operated what was known to drug users as the “Walmart of drugs” out of her residence located on Williams Street in Longview. There, she and her co-defendants sold various illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine and pills laced with fentanyl, in exchange for money, stolen goods, and firearms. Merkel’s customers included street-level dealers in Gregg, Rusk, and Panola counties. Continue reading Gregg County woman sentenced for distributing fentanyl

TYLER — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a former Tyler ISD employee was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to having improper relationships with students.

According to an affidavit, on April 15, three Tyler ISD students were discussing about J’Braylon Dewayne Fears, a paraprofessional at the campus, how he was “always surrounding himself around a bunch of little girls while on duty.”

“They were discussing how inappropriate it looked because of how close the girls were to him and how comfortable he looked while they were so close. The teachers were also discussing how students were skipping classes in [a teacher’s] classroom with Fears inside,” the affidavit said.

While the teachers were talking, a student approached them and told them of Fears, who she claimed was seeing a student at another Tyler ISD campus, was flirting with students at the middle school and asking inappropriate questions. Continue reading Former Tyler ISD employee sentenced for improper relationship

UPSHUR COUNTY – A February undercover investigation led to five East Texans sentenced to prison for methamphetamine distribution. On Tuesday, the last person awaiting sentencing received a combined prison term of 40 years according to our news partner KETK.

A search warrant was executed at Bob O’ Link Road where 39-year-old Cameron Scott Spears, 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner, 41-year-old Amanda Lynn Gage, 33-year-old Hailey Renee Shaddix and 45-year-old Benjamin Heath Evans were arrested.

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office identified Spears as the main target of the investigation and he pled guilty on Tuesday to two charges of delivery of a controlled substance and one charge of possession of a controlled substance. The DA’s office said authorities performed an undercover operation because Spears had been selling and distributing “large quantities” of meth for a “long” period of time and they needed to penetrate the operation. Continue reading Five sentenced to prison for Upshur County drug operation

LONGVIEW — On Wednesday, a Louisiana man was sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering an East Texas deputy in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Gregory Newson was found guilty 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 that led to a high-speed chase ending in a crash.

Prosecutors in the case were seeking the death penalty, asking the jury to look at the evidence when making their decision.

“Your verdict 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.”

HENDERSON – Trey Pinnell of Henderson, and a 2024 graduate of Henderson High School, had high hopes of winning at this years National FFA Convention. According to our news partner KETK, Trey had an invention he thought could be a winner. Baling pine straw, packaging it and selling it as mulching material.

The convention ran from Oct. 23 through Oct. 26 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The purpose of the convention is to help students develop career and college leadership skills to bring back to their local FFA chapter. Pinnell took to the stage with three other team members on Oct. 25 with high hopes of winning.

“Being on that stage in front of that many people is something I’ll never forget. I was really nervous, obviously a lot of people out there. When I heard my name, I kind of looked at my [agriculture] teacher, I couldn’t really believe it.” Pinnell said.

Trey, a 2024 Henderson High School graduate, became the first person in school history to have won a national FFA title.

TYLER – The City of Tyler is taking action to tackle erosion problems caused by two tributaries of West Mud Creek near the Glenwood Church of Christ. On November 13, the City Council approved a contract for erosion remediation work for $3,388,043 with Baker & Company Construction, LLC. This project aims to stabilize and protect the channel bottom and banks of Tributary A and Tributary A-1, ensuring the safety of public and private properties in the area. Continue reading Tyler approves erosion remediation project for West Mud Creek

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that hundreds of Van Zandt County residents are against a Finnish-owned lithium battery project set to come in December.

In the rural town of Whitton, their community center was packed on Tuesday with concerned residents as a forum was held. The company behind the project is called Taaleri Energia out of Finland. According to the company’s website, they are one of the largest dedicated renewables investment teams in Europe.

“It’s been overwhelming engagement, discouragement, and honestly just sadness and frustration that not enough people know what’s going on”,said Nancy White, a Van Zandt County resident said.

Although the Van Zandt County Commissioners held a meeting with head of construction for the project on Oct. 31, David Dunagan, who lives near the site, is concerned.

They show the fire suppression system is optional, and then they will not answer the question of will they include it or not and then their lawyer sends out fire chief for the county saying, “you can’t come inspect our facility… It makes us very nervous,” Dunagan said.

Neighbors also point to a pipeline, they say runs directly underneath where the energy storage facility would be. Continue reading Residents raise concerns about future lithium battery storage facility

GILMER — An Upshur County woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a drunk driving crash involving three children. According to Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd, Breanna Rena Simmons, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle with deadly weapon, and driving while intoxicated with child passenger with deadly weapon.

Officials said Simmons was traveling on Turkey Road in Upshur County on March 29 when she crashed into a tree, severely injuring all three of her children, including an unrestrained toddler. The impact was so great that it caused the engine of her SUV to be thrown from the vehicle into a ditch on the other side of the road. She was going 64 mph at impact, Byrd said. The posted speed limit was 25 miles per hour. Simmons blood alcohol content was .18 grams of alcohol per 100 ml about three hours after the crash. Continue reading East Texas woman sentenced for drunk driving wreck

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, police continue to search for a Tyler 17-year-old who was last seen Nov. 1. The Tyler Police Department shared on Tuesday photos of what Lily Peppler was wearing on the day she went missing. Anyone with information on Peppler’s whereabouts is urged to contact the department at 903-531-1000.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing teen.

The police department said Lily Peppler, 17 from Tyler, was last seen on Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. leaving Legacy High School and walking in front of Mardel at Independence and S. Broadway. However, police said family have not heard from her since then, yet no evidence of foul play is suspected at this time.

TYLER — The Smith County Parking Garage is open after a year of construction. Smith County officials held a brief ribbon cutting on Tuesday, November 12, before opening the garage for parking.

“We are so excited to have this new five-story parking garage available for our employees and the community,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. “We thank everyone who came to downtown Tyler for work, business or fun over the past year for their patience and understanding during its construction.”

The 543-space parking garage is free and first come, first serve for county employees, jurors and the public. The parking garage is located at 210 East Ferguson, next to the Smith County Annex Building. Drivers can enter the parking garage from East Ferguson Street, which is a one-way westbound street, or Locust Street, which is a one-way eastbound street. Continue reading Downtown Tyler parking garage now open

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking the public’s help to locate a missing 59-year-old man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is Christopher Onley. Christopher is described as 5’10” tall, 132 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen near the 3100 block of Estes Parkway, near Waffle House. Longview PD said anyone with information on Onley’s whereabouts are asked to contact them at 903-237-1199.

TYLER – Kenneth Haygood, 54, of Tyler, was arrested in February on three counts of sexual assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. As of now, he faces a total of eight charges, including six counts of sexual assault, one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and another charge of practicing medicine without a license. In a Smith County courtroom this week, Haygood appeared for a status hearing Tuesday in the 114th District Court. His trial date was set for June 23, and status hearings were also set for Feb. 18 and April 17. The final pre-trial hearing is currently scheduled for June 13.

TYLER — Looking for new winter activities in Tyler? Thanks to the Discovery Science Place, people can soon go to their new skating rink. According to our news partner KETK, the skating rink will have a grand opening event on Nov. 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and tickets are $15 which includes, 45 minutes of skate time, dinner, a picture with Santa, holiday crafts, cookie decorating and hot cocoa.

“This exciting addition is perfect for everyone—from beginners to seasoned skaters. Enjoy public skating sessions, host unforgettable birthday parties, or book after-hour events that will leave your guests buzzing with joy,” the Discovery Science Place said. “Schools can take advantage of our special field trip packages, combining education and fun on the ice. Lace up your skates and make unforgettable memories.”

Public skating will be $7 an hour and guests are asked to arrive 15-20 minutes early to get skates. People can book public skating sessions online or purchase by the hour at the front desk.

TYLER – The Tyler Economic Development Council said that delivery giant Amazon is planning to start construction of a new 140,000-square foot facility in Tyler soon. According to our news partner KETK, the new delivery station will sit on 30 acres at the North Tyler Commerce Park. Construction is said to start in the next couple of weeks.

Mayor Don Warren said in a release from the TEDC Monday, “On behalf of the City of Tyler, we are excited to have Amazon building a delivery station here in our city. The benefits from this project are enormous as it will add to our tax base, and provide faster service from when we make an Amazon purchase to the package showing up on our doorstep. This is a huge win for the City, County, and the Tyler Economic Development Council.”

The release also said the new facility will help to better fulfill the last mile of any deliveries coming into the area from one of Amazon’s fulfilment centers.

BULLARD – Our news partner, KETK, reports that first responders worked to free an individual who fell into a Bullard wood chipper Monday morning, authorities said.

Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2, said they were dispatched around 8:37 a.m. to a traumatic injury at 49759 Hwy 69 in Bullard.

According to Simmons, firefighters were called to assist EMS after a person was reported to have fallen into a wood chipper. The person was freed from the heavy machinery before 9:30 a.m. and Simmons said they have been transported to the hospital.

At this time, the extent of the person’s injuries and their condition is unknown.

UPDATE: The two people found dead at a Tyler residence Sunday night have been identified as Rolanda Garcia-Vasquez, 38 of Tyler, and Fidel Meza-Marmolejo, 43 of Dallas, officials said.

The Tyler Police Department said Garcia-Vasquez lived at the residence.

ORIGINAL STORY: TYLER – A woman and a man were found dead at a Mockingbird Lane home on Sunday and the Tyler Police Department said they’re investigating it as a homicide-suicide. According to our news partner KETK, shortly after 7 p.m. officers were dispatched to a shooting at the 1400 block of Mockingbird Ln. When police arrived, they found a woman dead who looked like had been shot.
Officials said a man who appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound was also found dead.

The identities of the individuals are being withheld until family can be notified and it is an active investigation, Tyler PD said.

PALESTINE – The City of Palestine said they’re planning a temporary water outage for a part of West Reagan Street this Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the outage is being done for utilities work and will impact West Reagan Street from South Durrance Street to South Fulton Street on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” the City of Palestine said.

To learn more, visit the City of Palestine online.

UPDATE: Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace identified James Robert Belcher as the worker who was found dead at a cell tower in Trinity on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Wallace said that Belcher’s next of kin has been notified.

TRINITY COUNTY — A man was found dead after he apparently fell off a cell tower he was working on near State Highway 94, Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said.

According to Wallace, the sheriff’s office got a call at around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday from Mastec Network Solutions. The company asked them to do a welfare check at a cellphone tower located at 7587 State Highway 94 after worker assigned to that tower didn’t return home on Monday. When deputies arrived, they found the man dead after he seemingly fell off a platform raised about eight feet in the air, Wallace said.

The sheriff’s office is currently investigating the worker’s death.

CANTON – The Elmo Fire Department confirmed that one person was injured in a crash involving three 18-wheelers on Interstate 20 west of Canton on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of one of the 18-wheelers was flown to a hospital in Tyler after being extracted from the truck cab.

TYLER – The City of Tyler and Tyler Fire Department held the annual Veterans Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 8 for all city employees to remember the bravery and dedication to Tyler’s military heroes. The event was held at Tyler Fire Station 5 and honored the 108 veterans who are now city employees. During the luncheon, a small ceremony, including the Presentation of Colors, was held to pay tribute. City Council members presented City veteran employees with a commemorative gift to thank them for their service.

“This luncheon is a small token of our gratitude for their service,” said City Manager Edward Broussard. “Our veterans, much like our city’s motto, have answered the Call to Serve, demonstrating unwavering commitment and sacrifice for our community and country.”

WINNSBORO– Our KETK news partner reports that a 74-year-old East Texas man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after a 2020 murder in Winnsboro.

According to the Wood County Criminal District Attorney, police arrested Billy Dwaine Cotten, 74, of Winnsboro, on May 13 of 2020 after they found him covered in the blood of Steven Wayne Lancaster. Officers were responding to reports of a stabbing at Bob’s Garage on East Carnegie Street, Albers said.

They found Lancaster on the floor of the garage and he was rushed to the where he later died, according to a press release. Cotten was still at the scene and he reportedly told the officers “he kicked me and I stabbed him.”

Cotten also reportedly told law enforcement that he and Lancaster were arguing about a scooter battery when the argument got physical. Cotten is quoted by officials as saying he “had to kill [Lancaster] or [Lancaster would] stomp me in the ground.” Continue reading Winnsboro man sentenced to 15 years for 2020 murder