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TYLER — A man attempted to escape from police after he allegedly cashed more than $1,000 in stolen lottery tickets in Tyler on Friday, according to our news partner KETK.

The Tyler Police Department responded to the Texas Lottery Office at 4801 Troup Highway, where two men were seen inside trying to cash stolen lottery tickets. A Smith County arrest affidavit reports that officers then attempted to detain the suspect, Ke’eric Armon Franklin, while he was walking out of the lottery office, but Franklin ran from the scene.

“In full Tyler Police uniform, I told Franklin to ‘halt’ and he asked, ‘Why?’ then sprinted out of his shoes northbound and out of sight,” the officer said. “Franklin ran barefoot to the intersection of Tanglewood and Old Omen, where police told him to stop, but he replied, ‘No, I’m not going to.’” Continue reading Suspect accused of cashing stolen lottery tickets

AUSTIN – The University of Texas System Board of Regents have unanimously named the sole finalists to be UT system chancellor and the president of UT Austin according to our news partner KETK.

On Monday, the board named John M. Zerwas, MD as sole finalist for the chancellorship of The UT System and James E. Davis as sole finalist for the presidency at UT Austin. Board chairman and former Tyler mayor Kevin Eltife praised both Zerwas and Davis for their leadership qualities.

Zerwas, a former physician and Texas State Representative for Fort Bend County, thanked the board of regents and Eltife for supporting him in his current role as interim system chancellor.

Davis, a former Navy cryptologist, Texas Deputy Attorney General and current UT Austin Interim president, was praised by Eltife for the progress that UT Austin has made during Davis’s time at the university. Continue reading UT names sole finalists for chancellor, president

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department was able end a three hour standoff Sunday, triggered by a domestic disturbance. According to our news partner KETK, LPD and SWAT responded to a call at an apartment on Montrose Street. Officers found 20-year-old Francisco Farfan of Lufkin, threatening to shoot himself.

After initial conversation with police, and Farfan not coming out of the apartment, gas canisters were used. After another hour, SWAT used their truck to push in the front door of the apartment. However, Farfan pushed the door closed. At this time, the SWAT team opened the door and hit Farfan with 40-millimeter foam baton round, knocking him down and letting officers gain control of the situation. Francisco Farfan was booked into the Angelina County Jail for aggravated assault, with the possibility of more charges to be filed.

UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety in a sting operation that led to the arrest of a man who was allegedly communicating with a minor online.

According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement believed David Palmer had online communications with a minor in order to meet them in person. However, Palmer was in reality talking to an undercover officer. That officer, directed him to at a meet location in Gilmer. After arriving at the location, Palmer was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. He is in the Upshur County Jail, with his bond set at $75,000.

TYLER – On Monday, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham announced that they’re joining a nationwide effort to eliminate certified artificial colors from their ice cream by 2027. According to our news partner KETK, Blue Bell is joining other dairy companies in the International Dairy Foods Association’s Ice Cream Commitment to end the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 by Dec. 31, 2027.

The IDFA said in press release, “As national and state policies on artificial colors in food continue to change, ice cream makers are keeping pace by offering wholesome treats and snacks that families know and love. Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other business considerations.”

Blue Bell’s announcement noted the fact that many of their classic flavors like Cookies ‘n Cream, Homemade Vanilla and Rocky Road already do not use artificial coloring. To learn more about all of their flavors and products, visit Blue Bell Creameries online.

Kilgore — Kilgore College has terminated their assistant football coach after finding out about criminal charges in another state. According to our news partner KETK, 41-year-old Forrest Mazy, is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an Oklahoma high school. Pittsburg County, Oklahoma authorities said that Mazey is accused of “fraudulently appropriating the sum” of more than $4,600 that belonged to McAlester Public Schools. He has pleaded not guilty earlier this month and was released on a $1,000 bond.

According to the Kilgore College website, Mazey, who was listed as the teams offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was fired after college officials found out about the charges in Oklahoma. Mazey was the head coach at McAlester High School from 2019 to 2025, where he also served as the dean of students. He also spent four seasons as the head coach at Poteau High School, where he led the Pirates to two undefeated seasons.

TYLER – Southside Bancshares, Inc.,the parent company of Southside Bank, will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 28th. This to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Southside Bank. Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, along with members of the Company’s management team and board of directors, will participate in the ceremonial bell ringing.

Mr. Gibson said in a press release, “We are honored to ring the NYSE opening bell to commemorate Southside’s 65th anniversary. Since we first opened our doors in 1960, we have remained committed to helping people and businesses of our Texas communities thrive and prosper. This significant milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team members and our longstanding dedication to our customers, communities, and shareholders.”

The bell ringing ceremony begins at at about 8:25 a.m. Monday and can be streamed here.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is searching for a woman who was last seen over two weeks ago, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

52-year-old Brandy Whitaker has been missing since July 7. Whitaker is described as being 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. She also reportedly has epilepsy and is known to faint.

If anyone has any information about Whitaker’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000

CHEROKEE COUNTY – An East Texas man was arrested on Thursday evening after he stabbed a man at an Alto gas station over money and truck keys, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

An Alto arrest affidavit revealed that police officers responded to a Texaco gas station at 539 Lovers Lane around 8 p.m., where a stabbing had occurred. Witnesses identified the suspect as 46-year-old Cory DeWayne Poole of Rusk, who was standing beside a car. While Poole was being handcuffed and put into the patrol car, police found a gray knife in the pocket of his pants. Officers then went inside to check on the stabbing victim, where they saw him holding his stomach in pain.

“I saw a puncture wound on his left side stomach area,” the officer said. “I applied gauze to the wound and applied pressure. Shortly after, EMS arrived to take over medical care.”

The victim explained to police that they were arguing about money when Poole stole his truck keys from the ignition. Continue reading Suspect arrested after gas station stabbing

PANOLA COUNTY – A man who was wanted in Panola County for burglary was arrested after he was found inside a vacant house, according to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers found Kobe Holt on Wednesday night inside a vacant residence off County Road 104. Holt attempted to flee from authorities but was taken into custody after deputies used a Taser.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, investigators later discovered that Holt had broken into the residence and stole property that was stored inside the home. Holt was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary of habitation, resisting arrest and evading arrest.

Holt also received charges relating to his previous burglaries, including burglary of a building, burglary of a vehicle,burglary of a habitation, and theft of firearms

Following the arrest, Holt was transported to the detention center and the case will be presented to the Criminal District Attorney for further charges.

LONGVIEW– A Longview resident was recognized during a city council meeting on Thursday for his heroic act of bravery on a bus ride earlier this year, according to our news partner KETK.

While riding on a Longview transit bus in May, a fellow passenger began acting aggressively and became a threat to other passengers and the driver, forcing Corey Street to act quickly and remove the person from the vehicle.

In a video obtained by the City of Longview, it shows a man confronting the driver of the bus with a knife while trying to operate the bus. Street can be seen on film, appearing behind the man and forcefully removing him from the bus, preventing the driver or anyone else from being injured. Continue reading Longview man honored for stopping attacker on a bus

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, officials received reports of bricks falling off the building at around 1:20 p.m. on Thursday. The Tyler Police Department has blocked off Elm Street in downtown Tyler after bricks started falling from the garage at the Carlton Hotel on Thursday. Elm Street is currently closed from South Broadway Avenue to Spring Avenue to keep pedestrians and drivers away from the building as inspectors come in to survey the condition of the garage.

“It looks like just age,” Hooten said. “It looks like a normal age. Just got deteriorated and started falling.” “The main danger is where the crack is,” Hooten said. “It could lead to other cracks and it could lead to a ripple effect on down the side of the wall there. So we just want to make sure that no one’s underneath it. If that happened.”

“The Carlton Hotel is a historic icon in Downtown Tyler,” then deputy city manager of Tyler Stephanie Franklin said in 2023. “However, the current condition of the building has contributed to substantial blight in the Downtown district, and it poses a public health and safety risk.” Continue reading Elm Street closed due to falling debris from building

POLK COUNTY – The Livingston Police Department said they arrested a man at Matthews Park on Wednesday for online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, Livingston PD was told that an investigation into online child exploitation discovered a man in the area who was trying to find an underage girl to meet for sex.

Detectives with Livingston PD were following up on the tip at Matthews Park on Wednesday afternoon when they found the man flagged by the investigation. Randy Newman, 31 of Goodrich, had driven to the park to meet a 14-year-old girl, according to Livingston PD. Newman was arrested for online solicitation of a minor and booked into the Polk County Jail.

“This is a sad reminder of the evil that is constantly reaching out to our children from behind a keyboard. Thankfully, this time, we were able to intervene before the worst could happen,” Livingston PD interim lieutenant Jack Mueller said.