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UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said that Michael Caffey was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the murder of his father Timothy Caffey. Byrd said that Timothy Caffey, 66, had taken his son Michael off the street in order to help him but that Michael reportedly started using methamphetamines and demanded money from his father. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy was murdered at his home in the Latch community on March 26 of 2023. Byrd said Michael was arrested the next day in Liberty City while wearing clothes reportedly covered in his father’s blood. Byrd thanked the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigators Rob Bowen, Michael Barton and Linda Roberts, his investigator Jon Warren, citizens who provided information and the jury for bringing this case to a decision.

WHITE OAK – A White Oak man pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife and was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday. According to court records, James Michael Alexander Sr, 64 of White Oak, pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In July, officials reported finding the body of a deceased woman in the 100 block of Larkspur, who was identified as Kimberly Alexander, 61. Police later found James at a hotel room in Longview that he had leased, and he was taken into custody without incident.

GLADEWATER, Texas – In a wave that began in the 2022-23 school year, more east Texas school districts have transitioned to a four-day school week. A recent survey taken in the Gladewater ISD could see the district join the ever-growing list soon. According to our news partner KETK, 72% of parents, 78% of students, and 92% of employees voted in favor of the school week being shortened. But Superintendent Sedric Clark noticed that a second polling of parents actually saw a decrease in there approval. “It was in the 70’s the first time. This time, it was at 67%,” Clark said. The district is preparing to host several meetings where parents are able to voice their opinion.

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK the Longview Police Department is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of leaving the area after a shooting incident that left one injured on Monday. According to the release, officers responded to a shooting incident at around 9:28 p.m. and located a man with a gunshot wound. An investigation led to an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Diovanni Cisneros, of Longview, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Longview PD said they believe Cisneros has left Longview and efforts are underway to locate him. Gregg County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for the first, most accurate tip leading to his arrest. The investigation is still ongoing and police ask the public who know the whereabouts of Cisneros to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org for anonymous tips.

TYLER – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport announced that on Tuesday Feb. 20 they will be having an enrollment for TSA PreCheck. According to our news partner KETK, enrolling for PreCheck is easy. Just fill out an application, have a legal ID, proof of citizenship, a photo and fingerprints. Airport officials say the enrollment cost is $78 for a five-year membership.

TSA PreCheck provides low-risk travelers a much easier experience with airport security. PreCheck flyers reportedly do not need to remove their shoes, laptops from bags, belts or jackets as they make their way through security and have access to PreCheck screening lanes.

For those who what to enroll in TSA PreCheck, but not able to be at the Feb. 20 enrollment, you can do so at an enrollment center here.

TYLER – UT Health East Texas has announced on Thursday that they have acquired six urgent care clinics from across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, they are taking possession of QuickVisit Urgent Care clinics in Carthage, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore and Mabank, plus the Premier Health Urgent Care facility in Canton. UT Health East Texas’ urgent care clinics has service available such as COVID-19 tests, walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, and treatment for patients three months and older.

Donald Baker, regional president for UT Health East Texas said, “Expanding our urgent care options provides the region with more convenient access to our expert providers and care teams. More urgent care clinics are an important piece for us to build a better healthcare experience for all.”

ALTO – According to our news partner KETK, Alto ISD announced on Thursday that during a special meeting on Monday they started the process to fire Blake Attaway, a teacher and coach arrested for an alleged improper relationship with a student. The process to terminate Attaway’s employment has a legally set amount of time the district said they have to wait for to allow Attaway to request a hearing before they can finalize his termination. According to the district, Attaway has not been on their property since Feb. 6 and they have made the required reports to the State Board for Educator Certification. Continue reading Alto ISD looking to fire arrested coach, teacher

MAYDELLE – According to our news partner KETK a teenager is dead and a 20-year-old is injured after a shooting Wednesday night in the Maydelle area. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on CR 1804 where they found a 17-year-old with an apparent gunshot wound. The teen was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, and officials said that during the investigation it found that a second victim, a 20-year-old man, was taken to a local hospital by private car for treatment. Authorities said the 20-year-old is in critical condition, and the case is being actively investigated.

LONGVIEW – A 32-year-old man was found guilty by a jury on Thursday for murder in the 2022 death of his girlfriend. According to our news partner KETK, Adrian Grissom, 32 of Longview was initially arrested on Jan. 16, 2022 after he told police in an interview they had gotten into a fight which led to her death. According to documents, 23-year-old Cyan Winn had attempted to remove a gun from her purse and told Grissom to back up during the fight. Grissom allegedly told police he then “pushed Winn to the ground from a chair as she was pulling a handgun out.” According to documents, the two fought for the gun and Grissom got control of the gun before he said the handgun “discharged one time.” His trial began on Monday where Grissom was found guilty of first-degree murder.

TYLER — A suspended Tyler doctor has been accused of sexually assaulting four patients, including a child, and is being held in jail on $3,550,000 bond. Dr. Kenneth D. Haygood was suspended on Oct. 24 by the Texas Medical Board for reportedly violating a June 2023 order stating he could not see or treat female patients. The board said he continued to pose a threat to “public welfare.” On Tuesday, he was booked into the Smith County Jail on three counts of sexual assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He remains jailed on bonds totaling $3.55 million.

According to an arrest affidavit, the first incident happened in 2007 when a patient was under 10 years old. As an adult, the victim reported that they went to see Haygood to have their thyroid checked, but when their mother left the room, the patient said Haygood sexually assaulted them. The victim told investigators they waited to report the offense until news of Haygood’s suspension came out due to their anxiety. Continue reading Tyler doctor arrested for sexual assault

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff and President of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas Larry Smith held a press conference Wednesday with North Texas law enforcement. Smith moderated the event with Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn concerning the North Texas Criminal Interdiction Unit (NTXCIU). According to our news partner KETK, the press conference focused on the work NTXCIU has done in the past seven years in their mission to fight against illegal drugs in local Texas communities. Reportedly, Skinner formed the interdiction unit in 2017 but laws were changed to allow the North Texas Sheriffs to work together.

According to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, NTXCIUis a “multi-jurisdictional team of specially trained deputies whose mission is to detect, interdict and disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs, narcotics, contraband and human cargo on establish smuggling corridors on North Texas highways.” Continue reading Sheriff Smith holds press conference on NTXCIU

TYLER – The Tyler City Council approved Wednesday to enter into advanced funding agreements with the state to upgrade traffic signals in the city, that according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, the funding for the project is part of the Federal Highway Department Program. The city council said the total reimbursable cost for the project is approximately $2.7 million.
Continue reading Tyler approves traffic signal upgrades

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK one person has been arrested and another is wanted by Tyler authorities in the death of a 20-year-old man who was found lying near a roadway. Tyler police said they are asking for the public’s help in finding a second suspect, identified as 16-year-old Caleb Ward, of Whitehouse. Officials said he has a directive to apprehend for capital murder and should be considered armed and dangerous. Ward is from the Whitehouse area, but reportedly has been known to frequent Tyler. Anyone who knows his location is asked to contact Tyler PD at 903-531-1000.

Joshua Bryant, 25 of Unk, was arrested on Feb. 8 for capital murder and other charges before being booked into the Smith County Jail where his bond has been set at $1 million. Both were wanted for capital murder by authorities after a man, who was later identified as 20-year-old Nathan Martin, of Tyler, was found on the shoulder of Highway 69 North near CR 489 last week with an apparent gunshot wound. Continue reading Arrest and fugitive in Roadway murder

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK a woman was arrested in East Texas on Tuesday is being accused of staying overnight in a Walgreens, vandalizing the bathrooms and leaving with a backpack full of stolen merchandise the next morning. Employees at Walgreens Pharmacy were about to unlock the front door Tuesday when they noticed “a woman in a robe walking around inside the store” and called the police. When Texarkana Police Department officer Jonathan Price arrived, the woman reportedly walked out the front door and started down the sidewalk while wrapped in a blanket and carrying a backpack. Police reportedly found wine, cigarettes, markers, notebooks and chocolate from Walgreens in her backpack. Store employees reported that she used a Sharpie to write all over the bathroom stalls. Shimanek was charged with burglary of a building and booked into the bi-state jail. Continue reading Woman arrested after spending night in Walgreens

TYLER — Tyler Police have identified the victim in a February 7 homicide. According to authorities, Nathan Charles Martin, 20, of Tyler was found in the roadway on CR CR 489 with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. One suspect, Joshua Renae Bryant (pictured), 24, was booked into the Smith County Jail on numerous charges, including capital murder by terror threat, with bond set at $1,000,000. Tyler Police are asking for help in locating the second suspect, Caleb Austin Ward, 16, of Whitehouse. He’s been known to frequent Tyler and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court has approved the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to offer free spaying and neutering for pets of Smith County residents. According to our news partner KETK, county officials said Smith County received $45 million in funding from ARPA, to provide relief following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Smith County Commissioners Court approved the use of $100,000 of that funding to offer free spaying and neutering as a part of the No Strays Project.
Continue reading Smith County free spay, neuter funds approved

TATUM – A Tatum resident has won $1 million from a lottery scratch ticket. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who wants to remain anonymous, bought the ticket at Eagle Mart at 240 W. Johnson St. in Tatum. This is third big lottery ticket sold in East Texas this year, with the other multi-million dollar tickets sold in Longview.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler President Kirk Calhoun announced on Tuesday he will retire May 31. According to our news partner KETK, Calhoun has been with UT Tyler 22 years as its president and president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. University officials say that the committee to help advise UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken on a new president will be led by former Tyler mayor and Texas state senator Kevin Eltife, UT System chairman of the Board of Regents.

“There are many important initiatives at our Tyler campuses, and my colleagues and I will work to name a successor to President Calhoun who will build upon the work underway,” Eltife said.
Continue reading Kirk Calhoun to retire as UT Tyler president

WINONA – According to our news partner KETK Winona Middle School is one of five campuses nationwide and the only campus in Texas receiving a $10,000 award for excellence in teaching. The principal spoke with KETK about why their school was selected, learning it took a shocking amount of change and improvement for this campus to be noticed nationally. The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching gives out the Founder’s Award to one of five finalists who get $10,000 each, win or lose.

“It means so much to us that our hard work is being recognized even at the national level,” said principal Johnny Walker. Continue reading Winona school wins excellence award

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department reports that the missing man, Christian Farmer, 28, was found safe on Saturday. Mr. Farmer had been reported as missing, having been last seen on Feb. 3rd in the Birdie Park area on 701 West Niblick St. No other details are available at this time.

LONGVIEW – The Longview ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling for a May 4 bond election for the five propositions that will help fund district projects. According to our news partner KETK, the school district, they have not received a major investment in 16 years. If approved by the board of trustees on Monday, registered voters will be asked to consider five propositions listed below. Board members are expected to meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center. The Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said safety is the number one priority and driving force behind the bond proposal. Early voting will run from April 22-30 and election day is May 4. People who live in the area and want to check if they are registered to vote can check at GreggCountyVotes.com or VoteTexas.gov. Continue reading Longview ISD approves May bond election

LINDALE – A Lindale High School educator has been recognized as a national board certified teacher. According to our news partner KETK, Renee Ramsey, an English and American history teacher at Lindale High School, has completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards program. Now that Ramsey is recognized as a National Board certified teacher, she will receive the designation on her Texas educator certificate, as well as receive additional compensation through the Teacher Incentive Allotment by the state. According to the release, the National Board Certification was designed to develop and recognize accomplished teachers and drive forward school improvement. In completing the certification it is reported that candidates submit evidence that their practice meets the Five Core Propositions and the National Board standards.

“I am so thankful for all of the support from my family, colleagues and administration. They helped me in my journey to become a National Board Certified teacher,” said Ramsey.

MARSHALL – According to our news partner KETK a group of high school students are the recipients of $32,000 in scholarships because of an East Texas business. Eastman Chemical Co. in Longview awarded 16 high school seniors with technical scholarships to attend six Eastman partner technical colleges in East Texas. The scholarships are for $2000 per student and six of the students have elected to use the money at Texas State Technical College, where they will earn a degree in Process Operations. Scholarship recipients are also encouraged to apply for a paid internship with the company in between their first and second year of college.

Successful internships may land students additional scholarship opportunities. Continue reading Eastman awards more than $30K in scholarships

ALTO – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that they arrested a man in Alto on Friday for an alleged improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the sheriff’s office said they executed a search warrant on County Road 2610 in Alto. During the search, an arrest warrant was executed for Blake Attaway for the charge of improper relationship with a student, officials said. According to Alto ISD’s website, Attaway is a physics and chemistry teacher and a coach for Alto High School. The sheriff’s office said that Attaway is being held at the Cherokee County Jail waiting for his arraignment. They added that the case is still active for further investigation and further arrests.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Longview ISD Board of Trustees will consider calling a May 4 bond election for five propositions that would bring major updates to all their campuses, totaling about $456.2 million. According to the school district, they have not received a major investment in 16 years. If approved by the board of trustees on Monday, registered voters will be asked to consider the five propositions listed below.

Board members are expected to meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center. The Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said safety is the number one priority and driving force behind the bond proposal. Early voting will run from April 22-30 and election day is May 4. People who live in the area and want to check if they are registered to vote can check at GreggCountyVotes.com or VoteTexas.gov. Continue reading Longview ISD announces $456.2M proposition