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SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Friday, November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day. County offices will reopen on Monday, November 13, for normal business hours. The Commissioners Court on Tuesday adopted a resolution proclaiming Saturday, November 11, 2023, as Veterans Day in Smith County, thanking all County employees who are veterans, as well as all veterans in the community, who have selflessly and courageously served our country to protect our freedoms. Smith County has at least 80 employees who are veterans, serving the community through their positions in county. Thank you all for your service to our country and our county!

LONGVIEW — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced that a Longview man pleaded guilty to two felony charges brought after he attended the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. According to our news partner KETK, Ryan Taylor Nichols, 32, of Longview, plead guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, according to a press release. U.S. District Judge Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth has reportedly accepted the plea and Nichols has been remanded into custody of law enforcement. The plea agreement hearing took place Nov. 7. Nichols had rejected previous plea deal offers from government prosecutors. Continue reading Longview man pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

EAST TEXAS — The unofficial results from the November 7 election are in. More than a dozen proposed Texas constitutional amendments were on the ballot Tuesday, addressing laws on everything from property taxes and water projects to preventing what some call “wealth taxes.” Continue reading Election results for November 7

ANDERSON Co. – According to a preliminary investigation, a 2001 Ford F-150 Pickup operated by Terry McMillian, 49 of Seagoville, was traveling west on US 175 when he struck 67 year old Frankston native Russell Warrington. Warrington was stationary on a bicycle in the eastbound lane of US 175. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available. Warrington was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Gary Thomas. McMillian was not wearing a seat belt.

TYLER – The woman who died in a mobile home fire early Sunday has been identified as Jimmie Crossland Finn, 71 of Tyler. On Sunday November 5, 2023, at about 2:45 a.m., the Smith County Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a mobile home on fire in the 11100 Block of Spur 248, Tyler. Continue reading Woman who died in Sunday fire identified

HENDERSON — On Monday, the Eastex Telephone Cooperative was awarded $25,000,000 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand broadband in Cherokee county. According to our news partner KETK, the award is expected to connect more than 1,200 homes and around 200 farms. “Our mission is to make sure every rural American is served. That’s the place where our emphasis is,” said Andy Berke, administrator, USDA Rural Utilities Service. Under the federal reconnect program, Eastex will be able to install and provide fiber infrastructure. “You can sell the goods you’re making in Chicago or New York from East Texas. You can study wherever you want from East Texas, or go see a doctor from this. There’s so much opportunity open to you by this,” said Berke. The fiber network monthly cost will be kept low for anyone who qualifies. Continue reading USDA awards Cherokee County $25M towards broadband fiber

ATHENS — The Athens Police Department arrested a man after a money dispute reportedly led to the death of another man. According to our news partner KETK, on Nov. 3, APD officers were dispatched to a disturbance on the 900 block of East Lane Street where people were calling for help and pointing to an unconscious man laying on the ground. Officers then rendered CPR until the EMS arrived. Officers reportedly interviewed witnesses who described the disturbance that began when the suspect, Brayan Castro Castellanos, 28, walked over to a residence to collect money. Police said an argument began between the two men that led to a physical fight. The victim “was knocked off the porch onto his head, which was the unconscious male APD found upon arrival,” according to police. Continue reading Suspect charged with homicide following money dispute

SMITH COUNTY — The Justice Department announced Monday that Smith County was one of four Texas counties found to be in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, stating that their elections website is not accessible to people with certain disabilities. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County received a public letter dated Nov. 6, one day before Election Day, along with Colorado County, Runnels County and Upton County, detailing the DOJ’s findings. The DOJ said they found the websites “are not accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision, or who cannot grasp a mouse, and use screen readers, keyboards or other assistive technology.” The investigation was launched in response to a complaint about accessibility of the website. Continue reading Election website deemed ‘inaccessible’ for disabled

TYLER — ampV’s flagship building will now be known as the Campbell and Snow Veterans Resource Center following a ceremony on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the building was renamed in honor of Susan Campbell and Jim Snow, who co-founded CampV in 2017. In the past four years, CampV had more than 16,000 appointments aiming to help service members and their families. “It was Jim Snow and Susan Campbell that came together in a Starbucks parking lot, in a Starbucks of all places, and wrote down on a napkin a one-stop shop idea for veteran services here in East Texas,” said Jim Gladhill, CampV executive director. Campbell and Snow said there were a lot of resources for veterans to navigate but they wanted to be an organization that was easily accessible and online. “There are a lot of sources but it is hard for veterans to navigate all that goodwill online to be able to have a trusted resource and I think that’s what we are representing,” said Campbell. Their goal now is for CampV to serve more veterans and for their program to be redone across the state and nationwide. Click here for more details.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that a human skull was found at a home on Greenbriar Lake Road. Officials fielded a call Monday morning that a human skull was found at a home being remodeled. Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies met the new owners of the residence. They showed the deputies the skull, which was found in a closet near the dining area. So far no other remains have been found. Sheriff Larry Smith said in a press release , “The skull will be sent to the University of North Texas for forensic analysis.” Smith added this is an open investigation and more information will be given out when available.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said that one person was found dead after a mobile home in the 11100 block of Spur 248 caught fire on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officials said that a call reported the fire around 2:45 a.m. and the Chapel Hill VFD, Jackson Heights VFD, Whitehouse VFD, Smith County Emergency Services District 2, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene. Continue reading Tyler mobile home fire leaves 1 dead

GLADEWATER — Law enforcement officials continue to search for a capital murder suspect.  According to the Gladewater Police Department and our news partner KETK, 41-year-old Alvin “Pookie” McKnight Jr is considered “armed and extremely dangerous” after a double homicide north of Gladewater Saturday night. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that the shooting happened at home in the 2800 block of U.S Highway 271 South, near Bluebird Road. When deputies arrived at the scene they found Mandy Ray, 35, of Gilmer, and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37, of Gilmer, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Upshur County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward up to $10,000 for information on the whereabouts of McKnight. Continue reading Gladewater murder suspect remains at large, reward offered

TEXARKANA – The Texarkana Police Department is asking the community to help curb the violence after a recent mass shooting according to our news partners at KETK. On Oct. 28, Texarkana police launched an investigation into its second mass shooting of the year. The shooting occurred during a party in the back room of a business when a fight reportedly began and at least two men pulled out rifles. In the end, three people died, and another three were injured. Continue reading Texarkana takes a stand against gun violence

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department has announced that a pedestrian died in a crash that happened in the 1200 block of East Grand Avenue on Friday. Our colleagues at KETK report that the Marshall PD said that they expect their investigation into this fatal crash to take an extended amount of time and that drivers should avoid the area of the crash. Officials said that they are not releasing the name of the deceased pedestrian until they can notify their next of kin.

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that deer season begins today and officials warn people to remain safe while hunting. White tailed deer season kicks off Nov. 4 and runs through Jan. 7. Youth hunting season begins on Jan. 8 through the 21. Continue reading Deer season begins this weekend

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY – Two men were injured and two are in the San Augustine County Jail after gunfire was exchanged near FM 705 in the El Pinon area on Monday according to our news colleagues at KETK. Continue reading 2 injured, 2 arrested after San Augustine County shooting

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a missing persons call at a home on West Gentry Parkway Friday at about 11:45am. According to our news partner KETK, the child reported missing and or a runaway is 15-year-old Isaiah Bright. He is 5’10 and 170lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Isaiah was last seen wearing black pants, a black hat with a “T” on it and a red shirt with a gingerbread man on it. He is also said to be a high functioning autistic person. If you encounter Isaiah Bright or know of his location contact the Tyler PD at 903-531-1000.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was found dead in Lake Tyler on Monday around 6:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, Kendrick Young, 27, was last seen by his mother around 10 p.m. on Sunday. His fishing gear was reportedly spotted by a witness at Lake Tyler. Officials said that Young’s mother went to the lake looking for her son and found his car parked nearby. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and Young’s body was found in the lake, near the intersection of CR 230 and Gordon’s Landing Road. Young was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace precinct 3 Judge James Meredith. An autopsy has been ordered.

TYLER — A shooting on East Locust Street Thursday left one person injured. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, two people arrived at a hospital at around 2 p.m. with bullet holes in the car. Police said one person had gunshot wounds. The unnamed victim’s condition is unknown. Additional details were not available.

RUSK COUNTY – Authorities in Rusk County arrested an individual for the sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Aaron Ables of Hughes Springs was detained when a Rusk County Sheriff’s patrol found his car in a church parking lot near Pirtle Oct. 28. What officers also found was a minor in the back of Ables vehicle. He was then taken into custody to the Rusk County Jail and was charged with the sexual assault of a child. The RCSO said Albes bond was set at $60,000.

TYLER — A Tyler nurse has been recognized by Ardent Health Services with the 2023 Nurse of the Year Award. Rachel Carney, RN, is nurse in the renal/urology unit at UT Health Tyler. Presented annually by UT Health Tyler’s parent company, the award recognizes an outstanding nurse for their compassion, skill and willingness to go the extra mile in caring for others. Rachel’s DAISY Award nomination came from a patient who had a lengthy hospital stay following surgery.  “In addition to helping with my medical needs, she talked me through several days of severe physical and psychological discomfort and helped me with things I never expected I would need help with, including bathing, changing my linens and shaving my beard,” the DAISY nomination read. “She even talked me through a borderline nervous breakdown and called to check on me during a well-earned day off. I felt like I was being taken care of by a loved one. I can’t express how much that meant to me.” Carney said she was shocked to receive the award. “I don’t do this for awards, I just try to do my job,” she said. Continue reading UT Health Tyler nurse earns award for excellence

HENDERSON — Tyler Pipe had a grand opening Monday for its new transload facility at the Henderson Industrial Park. According to our news partner KETK, the purpose of the center is to transfer goods from one mode of transportation to another until they reach their destination. With Henderson’s location to railways, officials feel the transload facility is a good fit for Tyler Pipe.
Continue reading Tyler Pipe has grand opening in Henderson

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Jury Duty has been cancelled for Election Day Tuesday November 7. If you have received a jury summons to appear on Tuesday, you do not have to report to the Smith County Courthouse and there is no action required from you. For more information click here.

PANOLA COUNTY – A man was arrested on Tuesday in Panola County after officials said he had barricaded himself inside his grandmother’s home with a gun, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Sheriff Cutter Clinton, a caller reported around 3:45 p.m. that a man, identified as Bradley Clakley, “had assaulted his grandmother and chased her to the neighbor’s house with a gun.” The caller reportedly told authorities Clakley went back to his grandmother’s house and was inside with a gun. Clinton said the sheriff’s office responded to the scene on CR 407 in the Antioch community, blocked off the area and began to negotiate with him. Continue reading Man in custody after standoff in Panola County