Five arrested following narcotics investigation in Livingston

Five arrested following narcotics investigation in LivingstonLIVINGSTON — A routine traffic stop in Livingston led to a narcotics investigation where five people were arrested. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, during the night on Feb. 5, officers stopped a vehicle on Mill Gate Road for a traffic violation.

Officers identified the driver as Justin Martin, 36 of Cleveland, and passenger Holli Pederson, 27 of Livingston. They began to search the vehicle after allegedly smelling burnt marijuana. Officials then determined that Martin and Pederson were in possession of meth and marijuana. Martin was arrested for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance with a $50,000 bond while Pederson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with a $15,000 bond.
Continue reading Five arrested following narcotics investigation in Livingston

Two East Texas coaches named in TEA fraud investigation

Two East Texas coaches named in TEA fraud investigationEAST TEXAS — The Texas Education Agency has added the names of two East Texas educators to their growing list of people flagged in a certification fraud investigation. According to our news partner KETK, these teachers, coaches and educators are under investigation to see if they were involved with an alleged Houston-based scheme to falsify TEA certifications for hundreds of people, according to NBCDFW. As of now, there are 163 teachers on the list.

The educator certification is an official recognition indicating that an individual has met all the requirements to work as a certified teacher. With an educator certification, people can potentially receive higher pay and are permitted to work at public schools.

The two East Texas educators added on Tuesday are Reginald Hill with Carthage ISD and Taishia Holt with Lufkin ISD. Carthage ISD’s website lists Hill as a teacher and assistant football coach. Continue reading Two East Texas coaches named in TEA fraud investigation

Court grants request to block detained Venezuelan immigrants from being sent to Guantanamo

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal court on Sunday blocked the Trump administration from sending three Venezuelan immigrants held in New Mexico to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba as part of the president’s immigration crackdown.

In a legal filing earlier in the day, lawyers for the men said the detainees “fit the profile of those the administration has prioritized for detention in Guantanamo, i.e. Venezuelan men detained in the El Paso area with (false) charges of connections with the Tren de Aragua gang.”

It asked a U.S. District Court in New Mexico for a temporary restraining order blocking their transfer, adding that “the mere uncertainty the government has created surrounding the availability of legal process and counsel access is sufficient to authorize the modest injunction.”

During a brief hearing, Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales granted the temporary order, which was opposed by the government, said Jessica Vosburgh, an attorney for the three men.

“It’s short term. This will get revisited and further fleshed out in the weeks to come,” Vosburgh told The Associated Press.

A message seeking comment was left for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

The filing came as part of a lawsuit on behalf of the three men filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, and Las Americas Immigrant Advisory Center.

The Tren de Aragua gang originated in a lawless prison in the central Venezuelan state of Aragua more than a decade ago and has expanded in recent years as millions of desperate Venezuelans fled President President NicolĂĄs Maduro ‘s rule and migrated to other parts of Latin America or the U.S.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that flights of detainees had landed at Guantanamo. Immigrant rights groups sent a letter Friday demanding access to people who have been sent there, saying the base should not be used as a “legal black hole.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that more than 8,000 people have been arrested in immigration enforcement actions since Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Trump has vowed to deport millions of the estimated 11.7 million people in the U.S. illegally.

Two people shot with one bullet in Texarkana

Two people shot with one bullet in TexarkanaTEXARKANA – Police are searching for a suspect after an argument at a Texarkana apartment complex led to a shooting that injured two people Saturday evening. According to our news partner KETK, investigators with the Texarkana Police Department say that a dispute between neighbors at the complex in the 1400 block of Richmond Road around 8:30 p.m. devolved into violence when a man pulled out a gun and fired it at the ground. The bullet ended up ricocheting and hitting two people. The alleged shooter and another suspect then assaulted one of the victims before running off, according to Texarkana PD.

Both victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police responded and found one suspect, Morgan Lanham, inside an apartment at the complex. He was arrested for assault. They are still looking for the suspected shooter, 27-year-old Dantray Copeland, on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. They believe he may have gotten a ride out of the area.

Anyone with information on where Copeland should call TTPD at (903) 798-3876 or Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at (903) 793-STOP.

ETCOG awards more than $80K in grants to reduce solid waste

ETCOG awards more than K in grants to reduce solid wasteTYLER – The East Texas Council of Governments(ETCOG) has awarded $81,429.64 to several local governments and agencies in order to reduce solid waste that ends up in landfills. According to our news partner KETK, the funds will help the awarded areas start or expand their projects which can divert waste from landfills by reducing waste at the source or on it’s way to the landfill.

ETCOG’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee is made up of local solid waste experts who rank and scores each area’s application for these grants before they send them to ETCOG’s Executive Committee which forwards their own recommendations to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for final approval.

“ETCOG appreciates the efforts of many of our jurisdictions to apply for these funds, as well as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s commitment to making East Texas a cleaner place to live,” ETCOG’s Economic Development Specialist, Bridget Booty said. “These essential projects led to the cleanup of hundreds of sites, over twenty tons of appliances, five tons of recyclable materials, almost 2,000 tires, and the collection of nearly 350 tons of solid waste last year. We are excited about the varied projects and look forward to seeing the results this year’s projects will bring to the region.”

ETCOG shared the list below which shows how much each area was awarded and what kind of project their funds will be spent on.

State Rep. Jay Dean hosts ‘Let’s Save Our Lakes’ town hall

State Rep. Jay Dean hosts ‘Let’s Save Our Lakes’ town hallAVINGER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean hosted a town hall on Saturday in order to discuss water issues in his district and across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Dean represents Gregg, Harrison and Marion counties in the Texas House and he’s been an outspoken on local water rights for years. Also on hand for the discussion Saturday were East Texas State Representatives Cole Hefner of Pittsburg and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston.

Much of the town hall focused on the potential sale of water from the nearby Lake O’ The Pines to Dallas but the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir to the north was also discussed. Jefferson, Pittsburgh, Daingerfield, Avinger, Lone Star, Ore City and Hughes Springs all helped fund the Lake O’ The Pines when it was first created and those cities would have to vote to sell the lake’s water to Dallas.
Continue reading State Rep. Jay Dean hosts ‘Let’s Save Our Lakes’ town hall

Congressman Moran to hire congressional aide with this unique background

Congressman Moran to hire congressional aide with this unique backgroundTYLER – Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler is looking to hire a veteran, a Gold Star family member or an active-duty spouse to serve as an aide in one of his offices. According to our news partner KETK, this opportunity comes via the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program which was created to provide opportunities in Congress to veterans, Gold Star family members and spouses of those on active-duty in the military.

Congressman Moran said in a release, “I am proud to announce that my district office will participate in the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program. This program provides employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty spouses within the House of Representatives. These individuals have sacrificed in service to our country, and it is a privilege to provide employment opportunities to those who have answered the call to serve.”
Continue reading Congressman Moran to hire congressional aide with this unique background

Marshall PD catch fleeing DWI suspect

Marshall PD catch fleeing DWI suspectMARSHALL – A man was arrested for DWI after an injury-causing collision in Marshall on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, police grabbed a fleeing 22-year-old Pablo Villa after his involvement in a car accident on East End Blvd South near Highway 59. Officers charged Villa with driving while intoxicated and causing a collision with injury. After posting a bond of $12,000, he was released from the Harrison County Jail.

Marshall Police arrest two in drug trafficking investigation

Marshall Police arrest two in drug trafficking investigationHARRISON COUNTY – Two people are behind bars after a search warrant was conducted in a Harrison County house on Friday as part of a drug trafficking investigation. According to our news partner KETK, the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force arrested 59-year-old Bobby Treece of Karnack, for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Also arrested was 37-year-old Amber Watson, from Marshall. Watson was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the search, officers found more evidence, leading to a second charge of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. MPD said both Treece and Watson are being held in the Harrison County Jail.

Longview Trade Days back to newly renovated exhibit center Saturday

Longview Trade Days back to newly renovated exhibit center SaturdayLONGVIEW – The Longview Trade Days is returning to its original location at the Longview Exhibit Center this weekend after renovating the building and installing new heating and air conditioners. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Trade Days Coordinator Billy Clay said that everyone is excited to be back in their original location.

“Everyone is proud to back supporting East Texas vendors while proving locals with some much needed finds,” said Clay.

Longview Trade Days will run Saturday from from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Man wanted for murder in fentanyl overdose case arrested in Tyler

Man wanted for murder in fentanyl overdose case arrested in TylerTYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that officials have arrested a man wanted for murder after he fled from law enforcement on Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals’ Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force tried to serve a failure-to-appear warrant for a murder charge to 29-year-old Billy Maddox Jr. at the Liberty Arms Apartments in Tyler. However, Maddox allegedly fled the scene, heading north. Officials from multiple agencies, including the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Tyler Police Department, immediately began a search for Maddox. He was then spotted crossing County Road 35 before he was arrested near County Road 14 at around 3:25 p.m., Tyler PD said.

A representative from the sheriff’s office said Maddox was arrested on a homicide warrant in connection to the 2022 death of a 17-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl. Maddox was originally indicted and arrested for manslaughter on May 26, 2023, before bonding out on June 2, 2023. Continue reading Man wanted for murder in fentanyl overdose case arrested in Tyler

Tenaha ISD student removed from campus after making threat

Tenaha ISD student removed from campus after making threatTENAHA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Tenaha ISD student was removed from campus after making a threat towards one of the district’s schools on Friday.

According to Tenaha ISD, campus administrators were made aware of an incident that may threaten the safety and security of their school. The student that made the threat was then reportedly removed from campus and no longer has access to TISD. School officials said that there is no further threat from this student and appropriate disciplinary and criminal procedures are taking place.

“The safety of our students, staff and community continues to be at the forefront of responsibilities at Tenaha ISD,” TISD said.